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30+ Ideas for Dog Enrichment
Dog enrichment revolves around providing your dog with sufficient activities to maintain their physical, mental, and emotional health. For example, this can be taking your dog for a walk or giving them dog toys and puzzles to stimulate their minds.
Dog enrichment is crucial as it improves your pup’s quality of life, catering to their digging, chewing, hunting, sniffing, and herding needs in a safe and healthy way. Offering your dog enrichment activities helps curb behaviour issues by managing their energy. No longer will you have to throw away your favourite pair of slippers because your cheeky little pup keeps using them as a chewing outlet!
In this guide, we will look at 7 out of 31 ways to keep dogs entertained. These ideas will prevent boredom, boost their confidence, stimulate their senses, and teach them problem-solving skills. To see the full list of 31 Ideas for Dog Enrichment, remember to check out our exclusive PDF version.
Vedanth Ravi via Unsplash
Dog Enrichment: Dental Health
Yes! Controversial - but we think brushing your pup's teeth is a great dog enrichment activity.
Not only do healthy teeth and gums improve your pup's quality of life. But they also provide your pooch with new sensations and create learning challenges - working through these is incredibly enriching for your pup!
Did you know that 90% of dogs develop gum disease by age 2? Dental Disease (Periodontal Disease) is the most common condition affecting dogs in the UK. It’s caused by a build-up of plaque and tartar on their teeth. Periodontal Disease can cause your dog pain, tooth loss, stinky breath, and can even affect their heart and kidneys.
We want the very best for our furry friends, and so that’s why dental dog enrichment should never be overlooked. In this section, we provide you with our best products to ensure your dog remains healthy!
1. Teeth Brushing Dog Enrichment
Difficulty Level 3/10 - Novice
If I were to start training my pup to allow teeth brushing - this is where I would start! Finger brushes make it super easy for you to get your pup used to the yummy flavours of toothpastes, new sensations and you touching their mouths. It's also great dog enrichment!
Make sure you pick up a dog-friendly toothpaste as well as your dog's favourite treats, and start simple.
- Get your pup in sit and reward with a high-value treat
- Touch the outside of their mouth wearing the brush - treat again & repeat
Pssst... several repetitions of this might be enough for the first session. It is best to start slow.
- Add the toothpaste and let your pup taste
- While they are licking the toothpaste off, you can add brushing motions on the outside of their teeth. Don't forget to reward your pup for good behaviour!
When brushing your pup's teeth, focus on the outside. Your dog's tongue actually works similar to a toothbrush removing plaque on the inside of their jaw. Getting an enzymatic toothpaste will also help as it has active ingredients (enzymes) that help break down plaque with less active brushing.
Toothbrushes (or finger brushes if you prefer!) help dogs fight tooth decay, prevent bad breath, and remove any plaque that may be present. It's also a great dog enrichment activity that'll bond you both.
Our Dog Finger Toothbrushes use microfibre bristles and pimple structure for gum massage to enhance deep cleaning and comfort for your dog. They are great for puppy teeth as well as adult teeth, so they are ideal for dogs of all sizes!
Dog Enrichment: Shiny Skin & Coat
A dog's shiny skin and coat are vital not only for their physical health but also for their overall well-being. A glossy coat indicates good nutritional health, proper grooming habits and good dog enrichment, reflecting a balance of essential nutrients and hydration.
A healthy coat is important for dogs to enjoy their surroundings and explore their environment. Did you know that the sensation of running their paws through a soft, shiny coat can be deeply satisfying and comforting for dogs? It’s true! This action helps contribute to their mental stimulation and overall happiness.
Hayffield L via Unsplash
2. Grooming Dog Enrichment Activity
Wait wait! So how do we make it a dog enrichment activity?
Difficulty Level 5/10 - Intermediate
How does a spa day sound? Let's set the mood: imagine relaxing music and dog-friendly candles. May we suggest some cucumber water?
- Not all puppies like a shower, but I have yet to meet one that turns their nose at a peanut putter lick mat!
This duckie lick mat is one of my favourites, and we use it every time we shower our pups. It has suction cups that stick to the shower wall, and together with a bit of peanut butter, it relaxes and distracts my pups from the dreaded shower every single time!
- Add a grooming shower brush to your shower routine! It gives the best clean, allowing you to get the soap all the way to your dog's skin while giving them a nice massage.
- A drying robe is a must after a shower on a spa day, and it will keep you and your furniture safe during the inevitable puppy shakes. Plus, it is a great photo moment.
- Yes, I was serious about cucumber water! Dogs can eat raw cucumber, cut into bite-sized pieces. It's a highly hydrating and nutritious snack packed full of vitamins, minerals and fibre while being very low in calories. Distract your pup while it is drying off with another dog enrichment toy or a game!
Easy Enrichment Toy Recipe:
- Get a fillable dog enrichment toy like KONG, Toppl or Honeypot
- Freeze ahead of time with some water, cucumber and strawberry chunks. Use a stopper to prevent water leaking.
Beginner Hide and Seek Game: - Grab some chopped fresh cucumber slices (p.s. feel free to change the treat up for your pup's favourite) and offer them to your pup in exchange for a paw.
- Now put some cucumber in both of your hands and make fists. Wait for your pup to explore and sniff, reward their interest by opening up the hand your pup is smelling to reveal a treat! Repeat.
- Make it an even trickier dog enrichment activity by only adding treats to one hand, however keep opening the hand your pup sniffs. This will show them that they need to find which hand the treat it in. Repeat.
- Harder again! Repeat the same action again with a treat in one hand. However, this time, wait for them to paw at your fist to indicate where they think the treat is hiding!
Dog Enrichment Toys
Dog enrichment toys are a fun way to keep your furry friend's brain barking bright! From innovative puzzle toys to snack-filled lick mats, these accessories turn playtime into a mental workout, helping to bring out your pup's inner Einstein! Sit back and watch as they sniff out their favourite treats and boost their problem-solving skills.
3. Puzzle Toys
Difficulty Level 2/10 - Beginner
Dog puzzle toys are some of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your pup mentally stimulated and happy. Not only do they provide hours of entertainment, but they also engage their natural hunting instincts.
- Choose the right toy: Keep in mind your fur baby's size, breed and skill level and select a toy that best suits them. Many dog enrichment toys come in multiple sizes for the perfect fit!
- Introduce the toy : Give your pup some time to sniff and investigate the puzzle toy without any treats inside. This will help them become familiar with their new found play thing!
- Add treats: Your dog's favourite moment has arrived! It's time to fill the puzzle toy with their favourite treats. For beginners, you could start with some high value goodies to help them get familiar with how the toy works. More advanced dogs might enjoy having their kibble placed inside.
- Give them a demonstration: If your pup doesn't quite get it straight away, don't worry! Simply show them how the puzzle toy works by gently manipulating it to release a treat. Then encourage your dog to try it themselves. Remember to give lots of praise and positive reinforcement.
- Increase Difficulty : As your dog gets better at solving the dog enrichment puzzle, you can increase the difficulty by adding in more treats or by using a more challenging puzzle toy.
4. Lick Mat Enrichment
Difficulty Level 3/10 - Novice
Lick mats for dogs are those funky, textured mats that you can spread your pup's favourite treats on. Think peanut butter, yoghurt or banana. Spread the goodies onto the mat and turn snack time into a tail-wagging dog enrichment opportunity.
- Pick the Perfect Spot: Choose a clean, comfy spot for your dog to enjoy their lick mat adventure.
- Spread the Love: Slather your dog's favourite treat—peanut butter, yogurt, or pumpkin puree—onto the mat. Make sure it gets into all the nooks and crannies!
- Mix It Up: Add a sprinkle of kibble, some crunchy dog biscuits, or a sprinkle of shredded carrots for extra fun.
- Chill Time: Pop the mat in the freezer for a cool, long-lasting treat if you want to keep your pup entertained longer.
- Serve and Enjoy: Place the mat on the floor and watch your dog dive into their enrichment time!
What are some good lick mat ideas, we hear you ask? Don't worry, we've got you covered there too. Here’s are our top 10 dog enrichment toppers to include on your dog’s lick mat:
- Dog-safe Peanut Butter
- Plain Yogurt
- Pumpkin Puree
- Mashed Banana
- Cottage Cheese
- Unsweetened Apple Sauce
- Canned Dog Food
- Mashed Sweet Potato
- Blueberries
- Shredded Carrots
- Dog-safe Broth
5. Treat Dispensers
Difficulty Level 3/10 - Novice
Treat Dispensers are excellent dog enrichment products. They provide mental stimulation, encourage problem-solving, and reward your dog’s positive behaviours. This is achieved by filling the toy with treats which challenges your dog to retrieve.
There's plenty of dog treat dispensers out there, so here's just some of our favourites!
The best dog treat dispensers for beginners:
- The Honey Pot: One of our best selling dog enrichment toys, the Honey Pot by SodaPup always sells out fast and for good reason! This fun treat dispenser can be filled with all types of food and can also be frozen to increase the feeding challenge. The Honey Pot is known as the little miracle worker for a reason as it puts a stop to pesky chewing problems, fights off boredom blues, and helps ease separation anxiety!
- Blue Dogsee Yak Dog Enrichment Toy: Here's another long-lasting treat dispensing chew toy that is very popular amongst our furry best friends! It’s perfect for light and moderate chewers and will keep them entertained as they try to retrieve the delicious Yak Chew from the Yeti.
For something a little more tricky:
- Zogoflex Toppl: A dog’s treat dispensing best friend and built for moderate chewers! West Paw’s best-selling Toppl dog enrichment toy can be filled with your dog’s favourite kibble and treats. Its soft and rounded inner ‘teeth’ contain a contoured cavity to hold treats in place until your pup manages to nudge them out. This provides an extra challenge for those smarty pants pooches!
If you want to create an even bigger challenge for your dog, connect together the Toppl sizes of small and large, or large and XL! This is perfect for those high-energy, clever pups that need some extra dog enrichment!
Discover the more advanced Grooming Dog Enrichment Tips in our complete guide: "30+ Dog Enrichment Ideas for you and your pup"
Vegan & Veggie Food Enrichment
A recent study found that dogs on raw or vegan diets were healthier than dogs on dry dog food. This is because kibble lacks variety when it comes to important nutrients your dog needs to maintain a healthy diet. So, even if you’d rather stick with kibble as it’s convenient and fairly cheap, it’s a good idea to enrich your dog’s food bowl with fresh vegetables or veggie supplements to give them with extra nutrition.
6. Vegan Furr Boost Dog Drinks
Difficulty Level 4/10 - Intermediate
Since their launch in 2020, Furr Boost has been providing tasty dog drinks designed to support canine’s health and hydration. They are ideal for dogs who do not drink enough water as they assist in replenishing lost fluids and nutrients. There's also a bunch of ways you can enrich your dog's life with Furr Boost Dog Drinks:
- Walk Refreshment: Take the vegan Furr Boost drink along on walks for a hydrating and nutritious treat.
- Food Enhancer: Drizzle the drink over your dog’s favourite food to add extra flavour and nutrients.
- Frozen Treats: Freeze the drink in ice cube trays to create refreshing pupsicles for hot days.
- Puppuccino Delight: Make a tasty puppuccino by mixing the drink with a bit of dog-friendly whipped cream for an extra special treat.
- Training Reward: Use small portions of the drink as a delicious reward during training sessions.
- Playtime Hydration: Offer the drink after vigorous play to help rehydrate and replenish your pup.
- Interactive Toys: Freeze the drink in treat-dispensing toys or onto lick pads for a fun dog enrichment activity.
Dog Enrichment: Calming Products
Studies have shown that more than 70% of dogs suffer with anxiety or fear. If your dog suffers from stress and anxiety, they may benefit from a calming dog enrichment product that will provide them with comprehensive anxiety relief.
7. Calming Spray
Difficulty Level 1/10 - Beginner
Dog Calming Sprays are created with a safe, natural lavender scented formula designed to help ease anxiety and stress in dogs. Many dogs can get a little nervous around fireworks, loud noises, vet visits, being left alone, travelling, or moving into a new home. To help your anxious pup, here's some useful places to use calming sprays for dogs.
- Crate Comfort: Spray the inside of your dog's crate or carrier to make it a soothing haven. This is great for dog's being crate trained. You can also spray their bed or favourite blanket for some bedtime bliss!
- Travel Time: Use the spray in your car before a trip to help reduce travel anxiety. This can also benefit stressful situations for your pup that require car journeys such as vet trips.
- Loud Noises: Apply the spray during events where there might be loud noises. If you know a thunderstorm is forecast, or you're expecting fireworks on Bonfire Night and New Years Eve, give your pup's safe space a quick spray to help relieve anxiety.
- New Environments: Use the dog enrichment spray when introducing your dog to new places, like a friend’s house or a hotel room. It'll help your dog settle into the new environment quickly so they can carry on with the rest of their fun, dog enrichment activities!
Discover more advanced Dog Enrichment Tips in our complete guide: "30+ Dog Enrichment Ideas for you and your pup"
Dog enrichment from WOOOF
Adding any of the above dog enrichment ideas into your pup’s routine will significantly enhance their overall well-being and happiness. Remember, dog enrichment is not just about physical activity but also mental stimulation and emotional satisfaction.
By regularly engaging in dog enrichment activities like puzzle toys, sensory walks, and training sessions, you can provide your dog with a fulfilling and enriching experience. For more inspiration, you can explore the full spectrum of possibilities in our comprehensive guide: "30+ Dog Enrichment Ideas for you and your pup."
Looking for more dog enrichment blogs?
Here are some other blogs we've written on dog enrichment:
→ 15 dog enrichment toy alternatives to the Classic KONG you may not know!
→ (May) Brand of the Month: Dogsee & The Dogsee Yak Dog Enrichment Toy