Subscribe & Save
Subscribe & Save
6 DIY Dog Enrichment Ideas at Home
Boredom in dogs can lead to destructive behaviour because of pent up energy. That’s why enrichment is so important for dogs as it gives them a cognitive workout.
A cognitive workout through dog enrichment will help your pup to feel physically, emotionally, and mentally satisfied. At least it means they won’t be unleashing their frustrations in other problematic ways!
While there are so many different types of dog enrichment toys on the market, we know that they can be expensive. In this article, we provide DIY dog enrichment ideas that you can do at home without spending extra money.
1. The Muffin Tin DIY Dog Enrichment Toy
We love this DIY dog enrichment puzzle because it’s so easy to do. Simply fill a muffin tin with dog treats or kibble, and cover them with tennis balls. It’s a great way to encourage your dog to use their foraging skills!
Once your furry pal gets better at this DIY dog enrichment game, you can try to make it more challenging. Put treats in only some compartments and cover them all with tennis balls. Your dog will then have to use their sense of smell and problem-solving to find the hidden snacks! It’s a great way to encourage your dog to use their sense of smell.
2. The Hide and Seek DIY Dog Enrichment Game
Who doesn't love a game of hide and seek? This is another dog enrichment game that is super easy and lots of fun for both you and your furry friend.
Simply take some dog food or treats and hide small piles in different places in a room. After hiding the dog food, let your dog search for them. This way they can really put their nose to the test!
It’s okay to help your dog out if they seem confused. You can point to the floor where the food is or stand near it. Alternatively, hide the dog food in more obvious places until your dog understands the game, then you can up the challenge.
Some of the best hiding spots include:
Under rugs or blankets
Behind doors or furniture so they are hidden from sight
On low shelving
Inside a shoe (as long as your pup isn’t the type to tear apart a shoe in their pursuit!)
3. The Towel DIY Dog Enrichment Toy
An easy go-to DIY dog enrichment activity at home when you want to challenge your pup at treat or mealtimes.
Take a towel and lay it flat on the ground and place a handful of dog food around it. Roll the towel up and fold randomly before letting your dog at it to discover the food within.
For a tougher challenge with a clever dog, add more treats as you fold the towel and tie it in a knot at the end. This will mean your dog will have to undo the knot to get all the treats out from the towel creases.
4. The Cardboard Box DIY Dog Enrichment Game
The cardboard box dog enrichment game always goes down well with our furry friends. Make sure to save some medium to large sized boxes for this fun activity!
Simply take a box and throw in a handful of dog food. After that, seal up the box so it cannot open on its own and let your dog have at it!
This game is great because it encourages your dog's sense of smell. It also gives them something to rip and tear. Shredding is a lot of fun for dogs and gives them an outlet for their energy.
Cardboard boxes are fantastic for DIY dog enrichment. You can add treat dispensing toys inside the box to up the challenge of retrieving the treat. Or even placing multiple boxes inside the box for your dog to open in their attempt to find the treats. There are infinite possibilities for dog enrichment!
5. DIY Dog Enrichment Lick Mats
Lick mats help your dog to alleviate stress, provides them with mental stimulation, and encourages healthy teeth and gums. It's a great boredom buster for a pup!
You can make lick mats from a variety of items you may already have in the home. For example, silicone mats are brilliant to use as a lick mat alternative because of their texture. They can also be placed in the dishwasher afterwards for cleaning. Alternatively, ice cube trays and silicone baking sheets also work well.
Silicone is the best option though as it’s easy to clean and gentle on a dog’s tongue. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter (or better yet, Poochbutter) onto your DIY dog enrichment lick mat and freeze it before giving to your pup.
6. Pick a Cup DIY Dog Enrichment Game
A classic! Even humans enjoy playing this one. Start with between two - five cups and hide dog treats under one. Move the cups around then ask your pup to choose which cup has the food underneath.
If they choose correctly, they’ll receive the yummy treat. If not, time to try again! It’s another challenge that will stimulate your dog mentally and encourage them to use their nose.
If you are looking for some yummy dog treats to use for any of these activities, check out some of our favourite products below!
Dog enrichment toys
When you have tried out these fun DIY dog enrichment games and decide that you want to upgrade to the real deal, we have a great variety of dog enrichment toys to choose from.
From durable treat dispensers like the Zogoflex Toppl to Slow Feeder Lick Mats with different patterns, we have everything you need to enrich your dog’s life!
DIY Dog Enrichment Ideas with WOOOF
We hope that this article full of DIY dog enrichment ideas has inspired you to get creative for your beloved furry friend!
Feel free to show us some of your creations via our Instagram wooof.co.uk.