When our normal routines are disrupted, this doesn’t only affect us but also those around us, including our dogs. Since we are stuck inside, your pups normal routine of exercise, play and socialization might be compromised, but it doesn’t have to be. Do your best to continue your dog’s normal routine where you can. For those things that are not accessible right now (playtime with friends, outdoor activities, etc) we can provide an alternative way for those needs to be met through mental enrichment and stimulation.
We can provide this enrichment through food puzzles, treat-dispensing toys, sniffing games, and more. Enrichment helps satisfy both the physical and psychological needs of animals by allowing them to perform natural behaviors such as sniffing, problem-solving, and foraging for food. Think about it.. if we didn’t keep our minds busy by reading, solving puzzles, cooking, etc., we’d go crazy too! Stimulating your dog’s natural instincts decreases boredom that can result in unwanted behaviors such as nipping, jumping, barking, stealing items, etc. Just remember to only provide these items when your dog is calm so as to prevent unwanted behaviors from being reinforced.
Enrichment Through Scent Games
Since we are limited to access to the outdoors, this is where we get creative! Here are some ways to engage your dog in sniffing games that are fun and easy:
- Play “Go Find it” by hiding treats around the living room
- Take unused cardboard boxes or egg cartons and hide treats inside
- Scatter treats in and at the bottom of your dog’s toy bin
- DIY treat-dispensing toys using empty paper towel rolls or plastic bottles
- Make a Snuffle Mat
- Muffin Tin Fun! Cover treats in the cups and hide with tennis balls
- Turn the muffin tin upside down and spread treats between the bumps to create your own maize bowl.
- Cut an X into a tennis ball and put treats inside
Sniffing is self- calming and helps dogs learn about their environment. By creating sniffing games, (or nose work) for your dog, you are creating an appropriate outlet to relieve any stress or anxiety, which helps with emotional regulation and impulse control.
Ditch the Bowl!
You’ll hear this a lot from our trainers; ditch the bowl! Use mealtime as an opportunity for enrichment. Instead of feeding your dog out of a regular boring bowl, portion meals into food dispensing toys, stuffable toys, or food puzzles.
Introduce new enrichment activities slowly and make them accessible enough so that your dog can succeed at every step. If your dog is getting frustrated, make the puzzle a little easier until they get the hang of it.
Here are some products we recommend which can be found on Amazon or Chewy.com:
- Braided bully sticks
- Stuffed Marrow Bones
- Licky Mat
- Antlers
- Pigs ear
- Whimzees
- Himalayan Cheese Sticks
- Nylabones
- Pupsicles
- Enrichment Through Chewing
Enrichment Through Chewing
Like sniffing, chewing and licking are also important for mental stimulation and keep your dog busy! Try to designate at least 30 minutes a day for your dog to indulge in a tasty, stinky food chew. Make sure to monitor your pup when giving them something new to chew on before leaving them alone.
Here are some recommendations:
- Braided bully sticks
- Stuffed Marrow Bones
- Licky Mat
- Antlers
- Pigs ear
- Whimzees
- Himalayan Cheese Sticks
- Nylabones
*Tip: Save empty marrow bones, fill with peanut butter or non-fat cream cheese and freeze for a long-lasting treat. Have a few ready and stocked in the freezer for future use.
Enrichment in Your Backyard
There are games we can add to our backyard fun time while we practice social distancing. Some of these suggestions are suitable for large areas indoors too!
- DIY Obstacle Courses made from PVC piping like a professional or constructed from items like orange construction cones and stepping stools or logs
- Flirt Poles
- Digging Pits filled with dirt and sand, or wading pools filled with plastic balls to forage for hidden bones or toys
Keep Up The Training
Training is also a great way to stimulate your dog’s mind, help build confidence and learn to make good choices. Now is the perfect time to brush up on your training skills! If your dog knows the basic cues, you can teach new behaviors such as learning to relax, practicing a down stay during distractions, or even a fun trick like roll over.
We are now offering an on-demand course for your adolescent dog called Quaran- Teen Spirit!
This course includes:
- Reviewing and learning new cues and behaviors
- Step by step handouts & videos to refer to while practicing new cues and behavior
- Learning to manage unwanted behaviors
- Learning the difference between “normal” behavior vs. stress/ fear
- Enrichment tips and ideas
- Making sure your dogs needs are being met in isolation
- Ways to keep up with socialization
Sign up here and start today!