Enrichment for Dogs

Having a ball! Here's how to keep your dog entertained. The best dog enrichment toys to keep your canine from going mutts

When the owners are away, the dogs will play… with absolutely anything in sight.

We Shih Tzu not. Dogs need proper stimulation – mental, sensorial, nutritional and playful. Without it, your pooch can become a Great Dane-ger to your home, other animals and even themselves.

And we’re sorry, but reruns of Jurassic Bark on the TV aren’t enough to keep your canine entertained.

But fear not! We’re sharing our treasure trove of boredom busters. So you can ensure your pup can play – safely – all day!

What is dog enrichment?

Our darling doggies are direct descendants of the Canis lupus. So to put it simply, your favourite furry friend is really a domesticated wolf. Surprise!

That means, they have certain instincts and urges that laying around at home all day simply can’t fulfil. They need to fetch, forage and frolic – or at the very least feel like they are!

This is enrichment. And unfortunately, the stimulation of suburbia doesn’t quite live up to the wonders of the wilderness. So it’s only natural that there’s an array of enrichment possibilities to think about when it comes to your canine.

In other words, if you want your pooch to play in peace, make sure you’re fulfilling their nutritional, sensorial, mental and playful needs.

Is it really that im-paw-tant?

Yes. Yes, it is. And there are three main reasons for that:

REASON 1: To reduce stress

What are some signs of a stressed dog? Vomiting, diarrhea and changes in behaviour and eating habits.

And what’s one of the most common causes of your dog’s ruff day? Boredom.

The math is simple: boredom + stress = one sick puppy.

REASON 2: To give them control over their environment

C’mon guys, your dog doesn’t just pee on trees because they’re suddenly into public displays of indecency.

They do it to mark their territory. And often to combat stress (refer to REASON 1).

And that’s a good thing, because dogs who have control – or even perceived control – over their environment are less reactive, aggressive, fearful, stressed or anxious.

REASON 3: To keep your bulldog from bulldozing

Skirting boards, family couches and flower gardens quiver in fear at the bored dog. And for good reason.

Because if there was such a thing as a punching bag for pups, these household items would be it.

So give these poor, defenceless items a break – and distract your dog with other (less destructive) boredom busters.

So, how can I keep my dog entertained?

No one likes a Mal-tease, so we won’t draw it out any longer. Here are some dog enrichment ideas.

For mental enrichment

Focus on games and toys that provide opportunities for thinking and problem solving.

Did somebody say dog treat dispenser? Because we all know, the thought that gets your dog’s cogs turning the most is: How can I get more food?

Durable and non-toxic, this toy is specifically designed to combat boredom and separation anxiety. Because once you fill it up with treats, it will keep your canine occupied for hours.

For sensorial enrichment

Focus on games and toys that stimulate any of the five senses.

Like this squeaky bird chew toy. So go outside and let all your backyard’s magpies and pigeons know that your dog has found someone else.

Super soft, internally reinforced and with two squeaker balls – this Dodo bird chew toy kills three birds with one stone, stimulating your dog’s senses of sight, sound and touch.

For nutritional enrichment

Focus on ways to make mealtimes more interesting.

And this can even be as simple as putting your dog’s food in a muffin tray instead of a regular dog bowl. It’ll slow down gulpers and make dinner time more interactive.

This way, your pup will have to work for their supper. Because remember: in the wild, they wouldn’t have had their personal chef preparing their meals for them!

For playful enrichment

Focus on objects that can be manipulated in some way.

A perfect example is this interactive dog toy. Featuring a hanging bungie ball that your pup can tug, rattle and draw treats from, this one’s perfect for giving active pooches something to do.

Not to mention, a toy like this will keep your dog from barking up the wrong tree trying to find other ways to entertain themselves!

For DIY dog enrichment

In need of some quick, easy and cost-effective enrichment ideas? We’ve got you covered:

• Mental: The recipe for fun? Trap one treat underneath one basket, then watch one pooch (preferably yours) try to figure out how to get to it. Best served in moderation.
• Sensorial: When we say ‘nose work for dogs’, we don’t mean a nip and tuck (you’re beautiful, pup). We mean getting your dog to follow their nose! So place a treat under one of three cups, move them around, then get your dog to find the treat.
• Nutritional: Remember that muffin tray we spoke about earlier? Kick it up a notch and place some tennis balls over the top of their food.
• Playful: You can’t beat the classics. So roll up a towel, grab one end with two hands and hang on for dear life. (You’re playing tug-of-war, by the way.)

But remember: one of the most stimulating activities for your pooch is a simple trot around the block. So make sure your puppy’s pedometer is reaching their daily step count.

Want to keep the enrichment paw-ty going? Raise the woof in our dog toy collection – it’s got all the fun you need!