Enrichment Ideas For Your Dog

For dogs that have anxiety, are bored, becoming needy, or just need something to do!

2020 has been one heck of a year for us all, including our dogs! We have all been affected by COVID-19 in unique ways, however, one thing we all have in common is that we have been spending a lot more time at home. Thus, we have been spending more time with our dogs than ever before. Over the last 6 months during the COVID-19 pandemic, our dogs have become accustomed to us being home and interacting with them more.

As we start going back to work, whether that is out of the house or working from home, we may start seeing our dogs exhibit signs of separation anxiety (SA). Signs of SA can include barking or howling, whining, peeing or pooping in the house, chewing on objects they know are off limits, and whining. If you are observing any of these signs in your dog the blow enrichment ideas are a good start to building your dog’s confidence while you are out of the house or busy working from home.

Click Here to learn more about Separation Anxiety in dogs.

*If your dog is experiencing behaviors beyond your comfort level or ability, please contact us and we will get you in touch with a certified dog trainer in our network who can help.

Our Favorite Foraging and Puzzle toys

*If you have multiple pets, you will want to separate them while your dog is busy with their puzzle toy.

*Click purple text for links

Kong Interactive toys

1. Kong Classic

2. Kong Extreme for heavy chewers

3. Wobbler

Nina Ottoson toys and puzzles:

1. Dog Brick

2. Dog Hide N’Slide

3. Dog Worker

4. Treat Tumble

Snuffle Mat

Zippy Paws toys

1. Burrow toys

Homemade Enrichment Ideas

*Do not use any materials your dog will eat (other than treats of course!).

Toilet Paper or Paper Towel roll stuffed with bunched paper with a treat hidden inside

Egg Carton- Hide a treat in bunched paper and place in each place of egg carton, then close and give to your dog!

Cardboard Box- Wad or roll treats up in a towel, blanket or paper inside box.

Muffin Tin- place a treat or put peanut butter in each muffin spot and cover each with a toy.

Snuffle Mat- To make your own, use plastic or hard rubber for the back and sew in felt strips. Click here for a video tutorial.

Blanket- wad or roll with treats hidden in.

Sniff Walk

Let your dog take you for a walk. Let them sniff where they want and for as long as they want (within safe bounds). Click here for a story on how a type A dog mom learned to take her dogs on a sniff walk.

Let us know in the comments below about other enrichment ideas and brain activities that your dog loves!