Excite Your Dog's Instincts
As pet guardians, we all want the best for our canine companions. We love them unconditionally and strive to provide them with a happy and healthy life. However, sometimes in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we overlook their mental health. Read on to deepen your understanding of your dog’s needs and learn how to improve their well-being with 10 non-food enrichment ideas.
A Reality Check - What Every Dog Needs
Feeling overwhelmed by the constant demands of modern life? From non-stop news updates to endless notifications, it's easy to look over at your dog and think, ‘they’ve got it easy’. But perhaps this sentiment is the perfect illustration of the grass always being greener.
Your dog’s life is not without its stressors too. Our modern world is loud and its busy. With limited control over their environment and high expectations for their behavior, a dog’s life is not all belly rubs, naps, and treats. From the constant interruptions of Amazon deliveries, unfamiliar dogs passing by, the restraint of a leash, or the solitude of waiting for us to return from work, our pups face stressors every day.
Dogs were bred to perform tasks including protection, guarding, hunting, tracking, digging, herding, and scavenging, but in urban and suburban settings, these instincts often go unfulfilled. And what’s worse when our pet dogs exhibit any of these natural behaviors they are labelled as destructive, reactive, and hard to train. A dog needs to sniff, to feel the earth beneath their paws, given opportunities to engage in instinctual behaviors; in short, we must let dogs be dogs.
A Dog’s Natural Instincts
Enrichment occurs when an animal engages with their environment in a natural and satisfying manner. While food puzzles are a great start, true enrichment goes beyond just food. Dogs have a natural desire to observe, dig, forage, chew, chase, herd, bark, jump, sniff, run, scavenge, taste, dissect, and destroy. So how do we reconcile a dog’s desire to do these things in such a way that won’t cause chaos in your home?
10 Exciting Non-Food Enrichment Ideas
Pioneers
Does your daily walk consist of the same old route? Boring! Visit a new location or try out a Sniffspot. Let your dog lead the way, setting the pace and indulging their curiosity along the way.
Diggers
Whether it is sand, dirt, or snow some dogs can’t resist the urge to excavate. Create a designated digging spot repurposing a kiddie pool or build a sand box.
Treasure Hunters
Harness your dog's keen sense of smell by setting up a scavenger hunt. Hide treats or toys around the house or yard and watch your pup sniff out their prize.
Watchers
Masters of observation and OG people watchers, find a good perch for you and your good buddy to and watch the hustle and bustle of people passing by. Don’t forget to shower them with occasional treats.
Herders
Work on your dog’s recall skills and their desire to keep family members together. Call your dog to come, then hide behind a tree or somewhere inside. When they find you, reward them with something they love.
Shredders
Provide eco-friendly shredding options like newspaper, empty toilet paper rolls, old boxes, or edibles like coconut or even a head of lettuce and let them rip to their hearts content.
Chewers
Dogs of all ages find comfort and relaxation in chewing. Offer them a variety of chew toys such as marrow bones, elk antlers, bully sticks, or even frozen carrots.
Chasers
Grab a frisbee, tennis ball or soccer ball and head outside with a partner and your dog. Engage in a modified game of monkey in the middle. How often were you able to fake your dog out, and how often did you drop the ball and your dog beat you to the object?
Destroyers
Breathe new life into an old stuffed animal carcass when you add animal scent like rabbit, deer, or pheasant to the fabric.
Discriminators
Create an enrichment box filled with squeaky toys, tug toys, pieces of newspaper, assorted balls, and tasty treats. Revel as your dog chooses what they want to engage with.
Enhancing your dog's environment with enrichment activities is key to their mental well-being and can help curb unwanted behaviors. Enrichment is a game-changer for all dogs particularly those described as hypervigilant, attentive, super-trainable, or full of energy. By incorporating these activities, you give your dog opportunity to engage in their natural behaviors in a safe and positive manner. This not only deepens your bond but also contributes to a happier, healthier dog.
A Bond Deepened Through Understanding
The life we share with our dog is not simply about the companionship they provide, but what we can do for them. By integrating more enrichment activities into their routine, you honor your dog’s natural needs, alleviate their stress, and enrich their lives. And in doing so, your home is not only where your dog survives but thrives. Reminding ourselves our dog’s natural desires is a step forward in building a better bond. So, which enrichment activity will you try first? Let us know in the comments.
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