Enrichment!
Social distancing means we have more time to spend with our quarantine companions: our dogs! Providing our dogs with daily enrichment is a wonderful way to add value to their day and fulfill their physical and psychological needs to move, find, forage, smell, think, and problem solve.
Nose and Foraging Games
Toilet paper rolls: Put those extra rolls to good use! Empty toilet paper rolls are great "hides" for practicing nose work at home. Playing a self-rewarding game like "find it!" by setting up toilet paper rolls and hiding treats in one of them on the floor is easy and engaging. Egg cartons and cardboard boxes also make great DIY treat puzzles.
Snuffle mats: Ditch the bowl! Meal times can be a great opportunity to add enrichment to your dog's day. Scattering their meal (or even just a mid-day snack) in a snuffle mat is a great way to get their super sniffer going. Click the link to check out the snuffle mats a BDC adopter sells on Etsy!
Licking Activities
Kongs: Kongs can be stuffed with more than just PB! Now is a fun time to get creative, clean out the fridge (of dog friendly food items), and involve your family crafting a tasty and enriching treat. Stick these in the freezer to make them extra lick-able! Click the picture below for an Instagram account filled with stuff-able toy inspo.
Licki mat: These are great for older dogs, or dogs who prefer soft foods only. Smear PB, wet dog food, plain yogurt, canned pumpkin, cottage cheese, or other dog-friendly spreads on a lick mat and stick it in the freezer. Lay it out for your dog and watch them enjoy!
"Enrichment feeding is about adding greater value and benefit to their food, allowing them to use their brain and engage in natural behaviours. It gives opportunities for the dog to be successful, builds confidence and develops optimism."
Brain and Body Engagement
Sniffari walks: A different kind of a power walk, the "sniffari" is meant to add value to a walk through their nose. Dogs should be able to sniff as much as they want, for as long as they want—to soak up all the scents the neighborhood, park, or forest has to offer.
Engaging through training: Short training sessions are a wonderful bonding experience between a dog and their person, and engage a dog's ability to learn and problem solve.
