Choosing the best enrichment for your dog
We all love spoiling our dogs with delicious treats, but about 4 years ago, Freya became very sick. Constantly going back and forth to the ER because she could not eat, she had no desire to eat. She had already been battling cancer and using food to keep her physically and mentally active was so rewarding for her.
It took us over a year to receive a “Chronic Pancreatitis” diagnosis. If you don’t know a lot about what that means, it basically means food can make you very sick and cause a severe amount of pain. It can even lead to death when not treated.
With all of her training, and fun games she loves to play, her strict diet instantly made those things feel impossible. What was I going to do to help keep her happy… Her options were already limited just on her behavior quirks, and now this. I really felt hopeless and so sad for her.
So after I finished feeling bad and guilty, I did what I do best and began to research. And maybe that is even why you have landed on my blog. Whether it be due to illness, weight management, or something else, you are here looking for new ways to fulfill your dog’s needs without the use of food.
Lucky for you and me, there's a whole world of enrichment beyond food.
Mental and physical stimulation are crucial for a dog's overall well-being, and non-food enrichment activities can be just as rewarding – if not more so – than a tasty snack.
Providing dog enrichment, or dog brain games as we like to call them, should be something you do everyday.
This may seem like a daunting task, but it does not have to be. It can fit seamlessly into your life with your dog. Just as seamless as making sure to feed your dog. But why? Why should we care about enrichment, let alone non-food enrichment?
Why Non-Food Enrichment Matters
While food is undoubtedly a powerful motivator for dogs, relying solely on treats can lead to weight gain, picky eating, or even resource-guarding. Non-food enrichment activities provide alternative ways to engage your dog's mind and body, promoting mental and physical health without the extra calories.
When you provide your dogs with appropriate outlets to, well, be dogs, we can truly begin to understand them and help them in our world.
Something I like to say, "we have our world, and our dog’s have their world. The only way we can truly help them live in our world, is to understand theirs".
Dog’s see the world differently, they see the world through their sense of smell where we see the world through our eyes.
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This is why the bulk of engagement toys are dog food-based toys because the sense of smell activates the most dominant part of your dog’s brain. So, not only is your dog smelling and eating things, but they are getting a big mental workout.
This is why a 15-minute sniff walk can be more exhausting for a dog than a hr walk. Which, by the way, a sniff walk can totally be done without the use of dog treats.
So that was a quick overview of your dog’s nose and the importance of including scent in your enrichment plans. |
Additionally, these dog brian games can:
- Reduce boredom and anxiety: By providing mental stimulation and outlets for natural behaviors.
- Strengthen the bond between you and your dog: Through shared experiences, positive interactions and the ability to understand your dog better.
- Enhance problem-solving skills and confidence: By presenting your dog with challenges and opportunities to learn and grow.
- Prevent destructive behaviors: A tired and fulfilled dog is less likely to engage in unwanted behaviors like chewing or digging.
Dog Enrichment Ideas Without Food
So, how do we no longer rely on food to help our dogs participate in activities that will stimulate their brain and get them moving?
Through my own experiences with my dogs, and the research I have done, I have come up with a list of my favorite ways to encourage and enrich my dogs without the use of food and instead with dog toys or praise.
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Sensory Adventures: Sensory enrichment for your dog involves providing stimulating experiences that engage their five senses – sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch – to promote mental and emotional well-being.
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Dog Brain Games:
Dog brain games, or mental stimulation for your dog encompasses any activity or experience that engages their cognitive abilities, encouraging them to think, problem-solve, and learn. It's like a workout for their brain!
- Hide-and-Seek: Hide your dog's favorite ball or yourself around the house or yard and let them use their nose to find your hiding spot.
- Training Games: Teach your dog new tricks or practice existing ones using positive reinforcement techniques like clicker training, praise, or a quick play session.
- Dog Busy Box: This is a great way to hide your dog’s toys while giving your dog the opportunity to search, dig, and shred their way through the box.
- Flirt Pole: The unpredictable movement of the lure requires your dog to focus, strategize, and anticipate, engaging their cognitive abilities.
Physical Activities:
Physical enrichment for your dog encompasses any activity or experience that engages their body and promotes movement,
contributing to their overall physical health, fitness, and well-being.
- Fetch & Frisbee: Does your dog love a good tennis ball? These classic games provide great exercise and mental stimulation, especially for high-energy breeds.
- Agility & Obstacle Courses: Set up a simple agility course in your yard or living room using household items.
- Swimming & Water Play: If your dog loves water, swimming or splashing around in a kiddie pool can be a refreshing and fun way to burn energy.
- Flirt Pole: Flirt poles provide an intense physical workout, encouraging chasing, running, jumping, and twisting – all excellent ways to burn energy and build muscle. They can also be a great dog training tool.
Social Enrichment:
Social enrichment for your dog encompasses opportunities for positive and fulfilling interactions with other dogs and humans, fostering healthy social skills and a sense of belonging. I also like to include socializing with the environment for those dogs who do not do well with others. This is also a great time to work on some new tricks with your pup.
- Playdates with Other Dogs: Arrange supervised playdates with compatible dogs to encourage social interaction and exercise.
- Doggy Daycare or Boarding: If you're away from home for extended periods, consider enrolling your dog in daycare or boarding where they can socialize and play with other dogs.
- Watch the World Go By: Does your dog struggle to be around other dogs or people? No worries, mine do too. As long as you know their threshold, go find a nice spot to sit and watch the world. Take everything in and provide lots of positive reinforcement while your dog is calmly watching as well.
Remember, the key is to give your dog the best enrichment activity by tailoring the activities to your dog's individual needs and preferences. Observe their reactions and adjust the plan accordingly. Some dogs may thrive on physical challenges, while others may prefer quieter, more mentally stimulating activities.
Fitting Dog Enrichment Into Your Day
So, while you just learned all these new ways to bring enrichment into your dog's life without the use of food, you may still feel overwhelmed when thinking about how to do it.
One of the first things I tell my clients is that you feed your dog two times a day, so right there, you can fit in two forms of brain stimulation.
Now that is the easier way to incorporate new routines into your schedule. The next thing I suggest is to set yourself up for success. It's important, to be honest with yourself on what you can and can not fit into your day.
If there are specific behaviors that you are trying to work on, line up enrichment activities to meet those needs so that the behavior is satisfying. For example, a dog who seeks to get into the trash or take food off counters is probably lacking the ability to search and forage for food.
Next, stick to 15 minute sessions with your dog. Your dog will learn and absorb more in 15-minute spurts and it’s a shorter time commitment for you.
My last little tip for this blog is to pick one or two new activities to implement, stick with that for a couple of weeks and then add another activity.
When you use a variety of food and/or non-food enrichment activities in your dog's daily routine, you can ensure they are living a happy and balanced life where they get to be a dog. It's a win-win for both you and your pup!
If you are interested in learning more about Behavior Consultations and Enrichment Planning, click Behavior Consultations
To learn more about the Canine Brain Games subscription box, click Enrichment Subscription Box