Having a dog isn’t always fun walks, cuddles and companionship; it can also be hard work. Many dog owners work part-time or full-time, leaving their dog home or working from home with their dog. Even those who don’t work will need to leave their dog for short periods alone or won't be able to interact with their dog all day. Enrichment activities can help energetic dogs stay out of trouble and use their mind to tire them out. This article has some great examples of enrichment activities you can try with your dog at home.
Snuffle mats
If you haven’t heard of a snuffle mat, they are essentially a small mat, but instead of carpet fibres, there are many inches or two-inch long pieces of fabric all over the mat that form a sort of strange-looking, very small rug. They’re great for food-motivated dogs who like to sniff out treats. You can also make them at home easily with a rubber mat and some strips of fleece. The idea behind snuffle mats is you can keep dogs entertained by hiding treats in different areas within the fleece material. The dog will have to work to sniff out and get the treat from underneath all the fabric.
Interactive feeders
If you’ve got a dog that wolfs down its food in a matter of seconds, an interactive feeder can help to slow them down and keep them entertained for longer. Interactive feeders make dogs work that bit harder for their food. They come in all shapes and sizes, some in the form of games, others that act more like bones or chew toys. Kongs are a classic interactive feeder where the dog food is placed inside the Kong, and the dog needs to lick it out or move the Kong to free the dry food. Slow feeder bowls are another form of interactive feeding; they have shapes or patterns within the bottom of the bowl. The dog needs to work out how to get the food out from within these crevices between the shapes. Dogs soon get used to interactive feeders and can learn how to get to what they want quickly. For example, a dog might realise that if they drop their kong down the stairs, all contents will fall out easily. It is good to have several different interactive feeders and switch between them to keep your dog interested.
Scent training
Hiding treats and food around your house and garden is a great way to keep your dog engaged and prevent boredom. Many people might be worried about letting their dogs roam around their house due to a fear they might chew items or have accidents on the carpet. Always supervise your dog if you have these worries and ensure there are no dangerous items that your dog can access. If your dog does have an accident when you are out, like many dogs do, you can use dog urine cleaner to remove the smell altogether and prevent repeat behaviour.
Digging box
If your dog loves digging, you can create a digging box. Outdoor versions can be made from a wooden or hard plastic frame and include sand where your dog can search to find new toys. Any dog that loves the beach will be delighted with a sand digging box. You can make an indoor digging box from rolled up pieces of paper stuffed into a cardboard box with toys or treats buried in the box. Your dog will love digging to find their favourite toy at the bottom of their digging box.
Whatever enrichment activity you use with your dog, always make sure your dog is safe and will come to no harm through the activity. If you need to leave your dog for long periods regularly, you should employ a dog walker to walk them when you are out or ask a friend or family member to check in and walk your dog. Another great idea to enrich your dog's life is socialising with other dogs; meeting up at the park with other dogs will keep your dog happy and healthy. It is essential to socialise your dog with other dogs from a young age so they feel confident and enjoy playing with other dogs as they get older.
No comments yet