ENRICHMENT

How to give your dog more to do

Enrichment is not only buying another toy. It is giving a dog safe ways to sniff, search, solve small problems, move, interact, and rest.

Why variety matters

Dogs have different needs depending on age, health, breed tendencies, confidence, and energy level. A useful routine mixes physical activity with mental work and quiet time. The American Animal Hospital Association describes enrichment as a way to support physical health, emotional wellbeing, and natural behaviors.

Try these simple activities

Sniff walks

Let your dog investigate safe smells instead of treating every walk like a race for distance. Sniffing gives the dog information about the environment and can make an ordinary walk more interesting.

Find-it games

Hide a few pieces of your dog’s normal food in easy places and let them search. Make the game harder only after they understand it. Supervise food puzzles and stop if your dog chews or swallows part of the object.

Short training sessions

Practice one or two behaviors for a few minutes. Touch, wait, recall, mat settling, and hand targeting are useful examples. End while your dog is still interested.

Object rotation

Keep a small selection of safe toys available and rotate the rest. Different textures and activities can keep play from becoming repetitive without requiring a constant stream of new purchases.