Passive
Passive enrichment allows your dog to receive stimulation without physical output. These activities are ideal for rest days, recovery, anxious dogs, or any time your dog needs calm engagement rather than active play.
Auditory
Activities that use sound to soothe, stimulate, or create a calming environment.
Bubble wrap is a fun sensory + problem-solving activity.
It gives your dog novel textures under paws and nose, interesting sounds, and a low-stakes “investigation” game.
For some dogs, popping bubbles can also be a satisfying outlet for curiosity and energy, kind of like a DIY puzzle that changes every time they interact with it.
Introduce it calmly. Place the bubble wrap on the floor and let your dog approach at their own pace. No pressure to step on it.
Make it a sniff win first. Sprinkle a few treats around the edges (or on top) so the first interaction is “sniff and find,” not “surprise pop.”
Level up to paws. Once your dog is comfortable, place treats on the bubble wrap so they choose to step onto it to get them.
Create a mini sensory path. Use a few small pieces spaced out so your dog can step on/off and control intensity.
Keep sessions short. 1–3 minutes is plenty at first. End while it’s still fun.
Windchimes add gentle, changing sound to your dog’s environment.
That novelty can support sensory exploration, and for many dogs the soft, predictable tones can be calming, especially during rest time or when outside sounds (traffic, neighbors) feel a bit chaotic.
It’s also a nice “background enrichment” option that doesn’t require your dog to do anything, just experience.
If your dog is sound-sensitive, choose bamboo or wooden chimes (usually softer) and avoid sharp, high-pitched tones.
You can also “dampen” chimes by tying a small piece of fabric around the striker so the sound is gentler while your dog gets used to it.
Reading to your dog is a sweet form of auditory + connection enrichment.
Your voice can be calming and predictable, and the shared “quiet time” helps your dog practice settling near you.
For dogs who get overstimulated easily, it’s also a gentle way to build comfort with stillness, without asking for formal obedience.
Set the scene. Choose a calm time of day and invite your dog to hang out near you (no need to cue “down” unless that’s already easy for them).
Start reading in a soft, normal voice. Think “bedtime story,” not performance.
Let your dog choose closeness. They can cuddle, lie nearby, or wander off and come back—this still counts.
Pair with calm enrichment. Offer a chew/lick to help your dog settle while you read.
Keep it short at first. Even 2–5 minutes is a win. Build duration as your dog shows they can relax.
If your dog gets mouthy, bouncy, or keeps interrupting, don’t fight it, make it a two-step routine.
2 minutes of movement (tug, scatter treats, a quick sniff break), then sit down and read for 2 minutes.
You’re teaching their nervous system that calm can come after activity, not only when they’re already tired.
