“Enrichment enables dogs to explore and use their natural instincts. Enrichment activities can prevent boredom, build confidence, and teach a variety of skills such as problem-solving, searching and agility. It allows them to sniff and chew appropriately.“ - Dogs trust

The fluffy little balls of fur we welcome into our homes are intelligent, social and active animals. They can be balls of energy as well as balls of fur! 

They also have senses that are very different from our own, from the way they see the world to the way they interact with, explore and understand the environment they find themselves in. These differences are not just in the colours that we see! A dog has around 100 million sensory receptors in their nose compared to our paltry 6 million.

On the other hand, there are also many similarities; who doesn’t love a good blanket on a cold winter evening or the smell of baking cake in the oven? 

Enrichment activities often take advantage of these differences to exercise the dog's brain and body. Pet owners, parents,  and handlers should have a collection of these activities that can be switched out depending on the circumstances. From preventing boredom and reducing excitement and keeping your dog safe. 

There are many different types of enrichment, though one activity might qualify as more than one type.  Making a choice for themselves is enrichment in itself, Isaac, my own dog, has plenty of dog beds all around the house, he is able to roam freely around the house and could, should he choose, sleep in a bed with a human. However, he chooses to sleep on a fluffy blanket that our little one lays down on her bedroom floor for him. Now I will give it to him that it is an exceptionally fluffy blanket and that the room is one of the warmest in the house due to the hot water pipes under her floor. But I do miss my furry foot warmer. 

Food based enrichment activities include things like snuffle mats; lick mats; different textured foods; puzzle feeders; kongs (which can be frozen); a food or treat scatter or trail.

Food is most likely one of the biggest (and quite possibly favovrite) parts of your dogs day. For many dogs we take advantage of this when training, using their food motivation to teach them, so why not use it to reward them for a good training session or to make sure they don’t get into mischief, wether they are the kind of dog who will howl all day or the one who chews on your brand new trainers, the right enrichment will give them something they enjoy just as much to do and give you opportunity to reward them!

Dogs interact with the world with their noses. Why wouldn‘t they, with all those scent receptors? They get to know each other and us by scent, and knowing how vital this sense is, it’s obvious that we should use it to engage our dogs. We can take long sniffy walks (not the one where you pull them off all that distracting grass to get back home), the one where you take your time, you enjoy the flowers (dog safe ones) together. You can plant smelly plants in your garden for your dog. You can lay a scent trail leading to a reward; you can even teach your dog to follow a scent trail that leads them to a hidden person! The dogs nose is an amazing thing, and sniffing can be so much fun.

Play with their toys with them, give them a game of tug if that is what your dog enjoys. Make sure you keep spares and rotate them regularly.