ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT

ALL TRAINING GAMES

Encourages Natural Digging & Foraging Instincts – Provides a safe, appropriate outlet for dogs who love to dig.

Provides Sensory Stimulation – Engages multiple senses (touch, smell, and sight) through interactive textures.

Boosts Mental & Physical Engagement – A fun way to burn energy while stimulating the brain.

Prevents Boredom & Destructive Behaviors – Redirects digging from couches, carpets, or gardens to a designated area.

Builds Confidence & Problem-Solving Skills – Success in finding hidden rewards encourages independent thinking and resilience.

A sturdy container or kiddie pool (plastic storage bins, sandboxes, or large cardboard boxes work well)

Filler materials:

Plastic ball pit balls (for a lightweight challenge)
Shredded paper, crumpled newspaper, or fabric strips
Plastic bottles, cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes, cereal boxes
Soil, sand, or mulch (for outdoor digging boxes)
Cut up pool noodles, shredded towels or clothing items

Treats, kibble, or favorite toys (for hiding inside the pit)

Optional Add-Ons:

Buried rope toys or chews to encourage interactive play

Scented enrichment (sprinkle a tiny bit of clove or lavender for added curiosity)

Choose Your Setup
- Pick a safe and appropriate location for the digging box—indoors or outdoors.
- If using soil or sand, ensure it’s free of chemicals, pesticides, or fertilizers.
Fill the Box
- Add your chosen filler materials—ball pit balls, paper, fabric strips, or soil.
- Make sure it’s deep enough for your dog to dig and paw through comfortably.
Hide Treats or Toys
- Scatter small treats, kibble, or favorite toys throughout the box.
- For an extra challenge, bury items deeper so your dog has to work harder to find them!
Encourage Digging & Foraging
- Show your dog how to sniff and paw at the box to uncover hidden treasures.
- Use cues like “find it!” to help them engage with the game.
Reward & Repeat!
- Praise your dog when they find a hidden treat or successfully dig into the box.
- Refresh the pit with new hiding spots to keep it exciting for future play sessions.

Start Easy – If your dog is hesitant, place treats on top before gradually burying them deeper.

Use a Variety of Textures – Mixing soft and firm materials makes the digging experience more enriching.

Make It a Daily Routine – Swap out the hiding spots and treats to keep your dog engaged over time.

Pair with Other Enrichment Games – Combine with a snuffle mat or puzzle feeder for extended fun!

Change up the materials to keep your dog interested and engaged.

Challenge advanced diggers by using harder-to-move fillers like scrunched towels or deeper sand layers.

Show us your dog’s digging adventure! Tag #CanineBrainGames and share their new favorite activity!

Eco Explorer Challenge

Have leftover cardboard packaging from a recent delivery? Don’t toss it—turn it into a DIY puzzle feeder for your pup! Those oddly shaped cardboard inserts (like the ones that hold electronics or fragile items) can become creative, eco-friendly enrichment tools that engage your dog’s brain and nose.

✅ Promotes Natural Foraging Behaviors – Encourages your dog to sniff, nudge, and dig to find hidden food.
✅ Mentally Stimulating – Challenges your dog to figure out how to get to the treats or kibble.
✅ Encourages Focus and Patience – Helps improve impulse control as your pup works out how to access the rewards.
✅ Eco-Friendly Fun – Reuses materials you already have at home—free, sustainable enrichment!
✅ Customizable – You can change up the challenge every time by using different shapes and treat placements.

Chairs, cushions, or stools for weaving or crawling under.

A broomstick or pool noodle for jumping over.

Blankets or towels for creating a tunnel.

Boxes or laundry baskets for climbing or weaving around.

Treats or a favorite toy for motivation.

Magic Wand (from the last box) to guide your dog with the “touch” cue

Step 1: Gather Supplies
- A clean cardboard insert or divider (the more compartments and holes, the better!)
- Your dog’s kibble or small high-value treats
- Optional: paper towel rolls, crumpled paper, or extra bits of cardboard to increase difficulty
Step 2: Prep the Puzzle
- Place treats or kibble in various compartments, under flaps, or inside any built-in “tunnels” or slots.
- Add extra challenge by covering treats with balled-up paper or wedging them in harder-to-reach spaces.
Step 3: Present the Puzzle
- Put the cardboard on the floor and let your dog explore!
- Encourage them with a happy tone or a little guidance at first if needed—but let them figure it out themselves as much as possible.
Step 4: Supervise and Adjust
- Always supervise your dog to ensure they don’t eat the cardboard.
- If your dog is new to puzzle feeders, start easy and gradually increase the challenge.

Save interesting-shaped inserts from packages—they’re perfect for rotating enrichment!
Use this activity as a meal delivery option for food-motivated dogs.
Great for rainy days or anytime your pup needs a mental workout indoors.

Create a Circus Surface

The Circus Surface Adventure is a fun and mentally stimulating activity that engages your dog’s body awareness, senses, and problem-solving skills. By creating an environment filled with obstacles, textures, and varying heights, you encourage your dog to explore, navigate, and forage for treats in a new and enriching way.

This activity is perfect for building confidence, enhancing coordination, and promoting curiosity, all while keeping your pup engaged in a safe and rewarding experience.

Enhances Body Awareness – Walking on uneven surfaces improves balance, coordination, and confidence.
Stimulates the Senses – Different textures underfoot engage curiosity and sensory processing.
Encourages Natural Foraging – Scattering treats taps into your dog’s instinct to sniff, search, and problem-solve.
Provides Mental & Physical Engagement – A well-rounded activity that combines gentle physical movement with cognitive stimulation.
Customizable for All Dogs – Adjust the difficulty by changing textures, heights, and treat placements to match your pup’s comfort level.

Household items to create varied textures & heights:

Soft surfaces: Pillows, blankets, yoga mats
Elevated platforms: Cardboard boxes, stools, cushions
Unique textures: Baking sheets, bubble wrap, towels

Small treats or kibble to scatter throughout the setup
A safe, open space for exploration

Gather Materials
Select a mix of soft, hard, elevated, and textured surfaces to create an engaging environment.

Set Up the Course
Arrange the materials in an open space, forming a mini obstacle course with different heights and surfaces.
Ensure all objects are stable and secure to prevent slipping or tipping.

Scatter the Treats
Hide small treats or kibble throughout the setup—on platforms, under blankets, or within textured areas—to encourage foraging.

Encourage Exploration
Allow your dog to explore freely, no commands necessary—just let their natural curiosity guide them.
Praise and reward them when they step onto new textures or climb onto elevated surfaces.

Reward & Adjust Difficulty

- Celebrate small victories with praise and extra treats when your dog tries something new or navigates a tricky surface.
- As they gain confidence, adjust the course by adding more textures, heights, or hidden treats.

Start Simple: If your dog is hesitant, begin with familiar surfaces and gradually introduce more challenging textures and heights.
Supervise Play: Watch for signs of discomfort and ensure all materials are safe for paws and stable underfoot.
Add a Balance Challenge: Place a rolled-up towel to walk over or hide some treats deeper within the setup to increase engagement.