Enrichment – Why it is Important for Your Dog

Enrichment is important for your dog’s health – mentally and physically!

You may or may not heard of the term “enrichment” before.  Merriam-Webster defines it: to make rich or richer especially by the addition or increase of some desirable quality, attribute, or ingredient.  In zoos or marine life facilities, you have probably heard the trainers talk about how they add enrichment to the exhibits for their animals to play with in the form of food puzzles, games, balls, or hula hoops, just to name a few.  They add something that the animal doesn’t see every day to give them a chance to explore it, play with it, whatever.  So, when pertaining to your dog, this means making their life “richer” by adding something desirable or fun.  This addition can be behavioral or environmental, and can make their lives richer mentally, physically, or both!

Here are some great ideas for around the house:

1. Have your dog run through their obedience or tricks before getting their food bowl put down.
2. Break the meal up and have them work for it.  Use mealtime as a training session – especially if you are doing clicker work 😉  Or, use treat-dispensing toys so they have to “work” to get it out.
3. Teach a new trick. Think your dog knows all of them? I’m sure you can get creative 😉 Even if your dog does know a lot – why not string them together to teach a “cookie dance”?  Never done agility? Now may be a good time to try one of the types of obstacles (you can make your own!)
4. Massage.  Believe it or not – it’s good for both you AND your dog.  The bonding hormone oxytocin is released in BOTH of you when you pet your dog. So go ahead, it’s good for you 😉  Pay attention to what your dog seems to like best – long strokes, ear rubs, belly rubs, pats, etc. and they will come back for more.

A few more ideas to get you started:

1. Change your walking route.  Dogs can go on “autopilot” just like we can…so take them on a different route so they can explore the new sights and smells!
2. Play hide and seek with your dog!  Have one person hold them in one place (or do a sit/stay if your dog does this well) and then go hide.  Call your dog to you and praise them liberally when they find you.  Your dog will LOVE this!
3. Add a new “toy” to their playtime.  During warmer months, make an ice toy filled with treats and let them have fun outside.
4. Play “find the treat”.  Hide food or treats throughout your house or yard and let them go sniff them out!
5. Toy Rotation.  Does your dog not play with their toys anymore and go for something else?  Pull them up, then put just 3 or 4 out.  Leave those out for 1 or 2 days, then switch them for 3 or 4 more toys.  It’s amazing how “out of sight, out of mind” works 😉

Related: Winter Activities to Do With Your Dog

However you decide to enrich your dog’s life, they will thank you for it – and you might see some behavior changes for the better!

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