From increasing a dog’s physical and psychological wellbeing to helping resolve behavioral concerns, enrichment is a powerful tool which should be implemented into every dog’s schedule. Enrichment has become somewhat of a buzzword within the dog community, with numerous companies developing enrichment products, and dog trainers regularly promoting enrichment strategies for their clients.
There are a number of definitions commonly used to describe enrichment, which makes it difficult to describe precisely what is being referred to when this term is used. Traditionally, “enrichment” for animals described the modification of enclosures for captive wildlife in zoos in an effort to improve their quality of life. This was accomplished by including specific features within the animals’ captive environments which were aimed at providing them the opportunity to regularly engage in species typical behaviors. In modern-day enrichment, where the term has been divided into a number of subcategories, traditional enrichment would be defined as “environmental enrichment.” In the dog behavioral community, enrichment most often refers to innately stimulating activities which are “positive, productive, interesting and challenging.”1
When considering which activities to include in a dog’s enrichment program, it is beneficial to approach the concept from a holistic perspective. A holistic approach to enrichment ensures that activities from a variety of primary subcategories are regularly included. This helps to ensure balance in your dog’s activities and will help meet their needs better than selecting activities from a single enrichment form.
The enrichment types that should be included are:
Environmental enrichment: Activities available within a dog’s environment which enable them to partake in innately rewarding, species-specific behaviors.
Behavioral enrichment: The opportunities for behavioral exploration provided through environmental enrichment.
Cognitive enrichment: Activities which humanely challenge a dog’s brain and problem-solving skills in a manner which is rewarding to the dog.
Social enrichment: Opportunities to socially engage in a safe and positive manner with known and novel humans, and possibly dogs and other animals (depending on if the experience would be enjoyable, safe and mutually enriching for both parties).
Enrichment should always be about the dog and what they will enjoy – not about what we think they should enjoy. When introducing a novel enrichment activity, closely monitor your dog for signs of stress or frustration, and stop as soon as they appear to no longer be enjoying the experience. Apart from cognitive enrichment which can include training, enrichment activities should be dog-led and they should be allowed to engage in these activities with minimal human intervention.
Enrichment activities for your dog
Dogs naturally practice a variety of exploratory behavior types which are innately rewarding to them. From olfaction to chewing, providing your dog with a productive outlet for these behaviors can positively impact their mental health2, and consequently improve behavioral outcomes.
Olfactory-based enrichment
Oftentimes a form of environmental enrichment, olfactory based activities are imperative to a dog’s overall wellbeing. Apart from their highly refined olfactory system3, and comparatively large olfactory bulb4, both of which enable them to have incredible olfactory capabilities, it has been proven that the olfactory input which dogs receive has the ability to drive decision making and alter behavior3. Sniffing desirable odors can reduce stress and anxiety related behaviors in dogs5, 6, which is all the more reason to regularly implement olfactory-related enrichment activities into your dog’s schedule.
- Treat hiding game. Although the Treat hiding game requires a level of initial training, the possibilities are endless once your dog understands how it works. Once you teach your dog to search for treats after receiving a verbal cue, they can search for long durations in the house or outside. Not only does this keep them busy, but it promotes independence (which is especially useful for anxious dogs), encourages physical activity, reduces stress and is financially economical. The options are virtually limitless, which also allows you to gradually increase difficulty so things never become boring.
- Snuffle mat. This is a dog “puzzle” which you can purchase online, or you can make your own. A snuffle mat enables you to hide pieces of food within it, so dogs have to use their foraging abilities to sniff and manipulate the food out. Many people use snuffle mats for hiding kibble at meal times, but any small, reasonably dry treat will suffice. Snuffle mats can provide quality short-term mental stimulation for dogs.
- Sniffari walks. A Sniffari, or scent walk, is an exploratory dog-led walk ideally completed on a long leash, a long line, or off-lead. Sniffaris are typically completed in either familiar or novel environments which are not overstimulating for a dog. If you are able to take these walks in different environments – even occasionally – the cornucopia of novel sensations can become a metaphorical enrichment feast for your pup. Some ideas for novel sniffari walk locations include Sniff Spots, hiking trails or national parks, new neighborhoods containing plenty of greenery, or around lakes and parks during their minimally busy hours. When it is not practical to walk your dog in a novel location, taking a Sniffari in a known location is still a fantastic source of enrichment. Make sure to move at your dog’s pace, allowing them to sniff to their heart’s content.
- Obstacle course. Creating a food finding obstacle course can be a great deal of fun for dogs, as it enables them to utilize their olfactory system as well as overcome physical challenges in order to attain food. This type of obstacle course can be made easier by pre-training the treat hiding game. For this activity, build an indoor or outdoor “obstacle course” using pallets, cones, Tupperwares, tin foil, tires, foam flooring, tarps or anything which you can think of which pushes the dogs to move across unique (and safe) tactile surfaces in order to attain treats. You can hide the treats inside of these obstacles or around them, which forces the dog to sniff in order to determine direction of movement and the strategy which they would like to use.
Shredding
Shredding refers to allowing dogs to shred specific items as a means of enrichment. Although minimal formal research has been conducted on how shredding in dogs impacts their stress levels, it is widely accepted throughout the behavioral community that shredding is an innate behavior in dogs and a useful form of enrichment7. Many people anecdotally claim that their dog enjoys shredding toys, tissues, cardboard or other objects, and this can become a serious concern for individuals whose dogs regularly shred valuable items. By providing an acceptable and productive outlet for this species typical behavior, it is possible to reduce the behavior’s occurrence in inappropriate environments.
- Toys made out of empty cardboard rolls of toilet paper or paper towel. These enrichment toys are simple and economical to produce, but they will require some clean up after use. To make a cardboard shred up toy, roll relatively large, solid treats into paper towels, and stuff them inside an empty cardboard roll portion of toilet paper or paper towel. Afterwards, take your dog somewhere they can safely shred it and supervise them as they tear the toy apart searching for treats.
- Simple shred toy ideas. Cardboard boxes, paper, heads of lettuce and other relatively soft items can be provided to dogs as a form of shredding enrichment. If you are concerned that your dog may generalize the behavior to items which you don’t give them, create a predictable ritual which communicates that a certain item is being provided for their shredding entertainment.
Licking and chewing
Licking and chewing are both naturally occurring behaviors in dogs, and if not displayed excessively or compulsively are often normal. Allowing dogs to chew on safe, desirable objects has been proven to help elicit a positive emotional state9. Productive licking can relieve boredom and provide a useful form of enrichment.
- Fillable chew toys. A simple and straightforward form of enrichment, fillable chew toys make a fantastic boredom buster for dogs. Start with a Kong or other durable, fillable rubber toy, or a fillable bone. You can purchase fillings for these online or at a pet supply store, or you can make your own out of plain Greek yogurt, canned pumpkin, plain peanut butter, canned dog food or a combination of these options. If you use peanut butter, ensure that the only ingredient is peanuts. Xylitol, an artificial sweetener, is occasionally added to peanut butter but is extremely poisonous to dogs. After you make your filling, stuff the toy or bone and either give it to your dog immediately, or freeze it for a much longer lasting option. Frozen, filled toys/bones are also a fantastic option to have handy when guests come over and you want to help curb their initial enthusiasm, or when your dog is bored but you need to prioritize completing another task.
- Lick mats. A lick mat is a toy which you can easily purchase online. They are straightforward to use and relatively simple to clean. A lick mat is basically a rubber mat containing variable textures which help hold smearable food in place so your dog can spend time licking it off. Plain peanut butter, canned food, canned pumpkin and plain greek or normal yogurt are all good options to use on a lick mat.
Cognitive exercises
Often requiring some preliminary training or conditioning, cognitive enrichment is imperative for keeping dogs engaged and mentally flexible, while also providing neuroprotective effects on aging dogs10. Not only can regular cognitive enrichment help minimize cognitive decline11, but it can be an excellent way to tire your dog out while making them more responsive to other cues.
- Vito’s Thinking game. A relatively straightforward thinking game which teaches dogs to begin understanding shaping work (where a complex behavior is built from smaller behaviors). Using a cone, you will teach the dog to move around the opposite side of it to reach you. Gradually, you will begin increasing the distance between yourself and the cone through the process of shaping. Many videos are available online demonstrating this activity and its training process in action.
- Shaping work. To use shaping, you will first need either a clicker or a marker word. Whichever you decide to use, your dog will need to be conditioned to understand what this marker means through the process of classical conditioning. In order to achieve this, click/use your word and then immediately treat. You will repeat this process multiple times over a period of days in order to condition the dog to respond to it.
Once the dog is responding excitedly and quickly, you can begin using it to build behaviors such as tricks, retrievals, etc. Shaping requires excellent marker timing in order to be effective, and you always want to ensure that you are setting your dog up for success as you work through the shaping process. Make certain to break any complex behaviors into very small parts, and help your dog to succeed by making the correct move one which is easy for them to perform. - Treat depositing ball. These are dog toys which are pre-loaded with food or small treats, after which dogs are able to move them around in order to release the food from small openings within the toy.
- Pattern games. Originally developed by sport dog trainer Leslie McDevitt, pattern games are used to teach dogs focus, engagement and cognitive skills. They can also be used to decrease the intensity of certain behaviors and can be a valuable addition to most training programs. Pattern games are predictable movement games which enable a dog to learn new skills which can be used productively in a variety of environments.
- Dog puzzles. Dog puzzles are toys which require a dog to problem solve in order to attain hidden food. These can be purchased in an assortment of styles and at varying difficulty levels. You can make your own “dog puzzle” by hiding treats underneath cups, boxes or Tupperwares and letting your dog maneuver them around until they can access the treats.
- Maze feeders. Maze feeders are a very straightforward form of enrichment which also helps prevent dogs from eating too quickly. Instead of eating out of a basic bowl, maze feeders have maze-like ridges inside of a bowl, which require a dog to work food out of more slowly and cognizantly.
Adding regular enrichment to your dog’s life provides a number of physical, psychological and emotional benefits for them. By default, a happier dog will often be more enthusiastic to engage with you and more confident in other areas of their life. Enrichment does not need to be complicated – it just needs to be guided by your dog.
References
- Ramirez, K. Animal training; successful animal management through positive reinforcement. Shedd Aquarium, Chicago. 1999; p. 268
- Hunt, R., Whiteside, H., & Prankel, S. Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Dog Behaviour: Pilot Study. Animals. 2022; 12(2): 141. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12020141
- Kokocinska-Kusiak, A., Woszczylo, M., Zybala, M., Machiocha, J., Barlowska, K., & Dzieciol, M. Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibiliites for Practical Applications. Animals. 2021; 11(8): 2463. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082463
- Kavoi, B.M. & Jameela, H. Comparative Morphometry of the Olfactory Bulb, Tract and Stria in the Human, Dog and Dog. Int. J. Morphol. 2011; 29(3): 939-946. http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-95022011000300047
- Binks, J., Taylor, S., Wills, A., & Montrose, T. The Behavioural Effects of Olfactory Stimulation on Dogs at a Rescue Shelter. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2018; 202: 69-76.https://doi.org/ 10.1016/j.applanim.2018.01.009
- Murtagh, K., Farnworth, M.J., & Brilot, B.O. The Scent of Enrichment: Exploring the Effect of Odour and Biological Salience on Behaviour During Enrichment of Kennelled Dogs. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 2020; 223: 204917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2019.104917
- Miller, K. & Zawistowski, S. Behavioral Enrichment. Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians and Staff (2nd). Wiley-Blackwell; 2012. p. 541-57. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119421511.ch34
- Sung, W., & Radosta, L. Unruly and Destructive Behaviors – Canine. Behavior Problems in the Dog and Cat (4th). Missouri, USA. Elsevier; 2024. p. 345-368.
- Flint, H.E., Atkinson, M., Lush, J., Hunt, A.B., & King, T. Long-Lasting Chews Elicit Positive Emotional States in Dogs During Short Periods of Social Isolation. Animals. 2023; 13(4): 552. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13040552
- Milgran, N.W., Siwak-Tapp, C.T., Araujo, J., & Head, E. Neuroprotective Effects of Cognitive Enrichment. Ageing Res. Rev. 2006; 5(3): 354-369. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2006.04.004
- Milgram, N.W. Cognitive Experience and its Effect on Age-Dependent Cognitive Decline in Beagle Dogs. Neurochem. Res. 2003; 28: 1677-1682. https://doi.org/10.1023/ A:1026009005108