The Importance of Enrichment

We all know the importance of keeping a dog healthy and happy so naturally we ensure that our dogs are fed well and they are taken for daily walks. However, for those of you that are unaware, mental stimulation is also an important part of keeping a healthy and happy dog. Just like us, a dogs brain also needs exercise and stimulation. Without this aspect a dog can get easily bored which can lead to negative and destructive behaviours. There is nothing worse than coming home to find that your bestie has chewed or mauled your curtains, furniture or bed (to name a few). This type of behaviour can very well be due to a lack of mental stimulation which can lead to boredom and then destructive behaviours.

Soooooooo, how do we keep our dogs mentally stimulated? In short toys, training and treats!

Anything that can keep your dog focused using its mind in a positive way is always a good thing.

Toys - A toy can be anything to a dog! Finding the right ones, or more specifically, finding something that your dog associates as a toy is easy. Chew toys, balls, rope, a cuddly toy are some examples of these. The list goes on and there is so much variety in any pet store for you and your woofa to choose from.

Daily training is also a very good way to keep your dog stimulated. It has many benefits to it. The obvious is that you will teach your dog positive behaviours. Underlying this, you and your dogs bond will grow stronger. Training also gets your dog to think. A good training session should leave your dog feeling contented and, hopefully, tired! However, it must be noted that training should be about quality and not quantity. You do not want your dog feeling confused so a suggestion is that you focus on one lesson at a time for short periods each time. The trick with training is repetition and reinforcement which you can make part of your daily routine.

Treats such as Kongs stuffed with biscuits and wet food frozen, can provide your dog stimulation for a while. They are a good distraction from other things like table legs! You have many similar options such as wrapping kibble up in towels, lick matts or placing kibble in a box amongst scrunched up pieces of paper.

These are just some example of enrichment tools to help your dog is having its mental health needs met. All you need is a bit of imagination and you can keep your dog entertained for ages while you are going about your day. Happy enrichment!!