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Enrichment is the Best Way to Keep Your Dog Busy, Tired and Happy

Enrichment is when you set up your dog’s environment to fulfill behavior needs that would ordinarily be met in the wild. In technical terms you are meeting your dog’s species specific behavior needs. A few examples are: foraging for food, sniffing exciting smells, physical exertion, social interaction and mental stimulation.

After spending over 2,000 hours working with shelter dogs, my own dogs, and my client’s dogs, I have tried a lot of enrichment products. Here are the top five products that I have found to be durable, stimulating and best of all meet multiple behavior needs. Along with these enrichment products I recommend walking your dog at least twice a day, playing fetch or playing hide and seek with you.

Special Notes of Caution: Please supervise your dog the entire time they are using these products. If you live in a multi-dog household and there is potential for a fight over a product, please do enrichment sessions separately. Please follow all manufacturer’s warnings.

I love the “Jalousie” Dog Snuffle Mat. Dogs have to find hidden treats in pockets and crevices. I also love it because my Labrador sleeps 2 -3 hours after interacting with this mat. Enrichment needs met: sniffing, foraging and mental stimulation. Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Jalousie-Interactive-Nosework-Training-Activity/dp/B07VV97SC6/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=dog+play+mat&qid=1586014811&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-18

My next favorite is the “Flirt Pole” from Squishy Face. This is an excellent game to play with your dog to expend a lot of energy! If it is new to your dog, gradually introduce him to it by slowly dragging the fleece lure on the ground until he realizes he can chase it. And to make it really enticing add squirrel scent to the fleece lure. Squirrel scent is available at outdoor stores. Enrichment needs met: physical and mental stimulation. Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Squishy-Face-Studio-Exercise-36-Inch/dp/B00HFFX3VQ/ref=sr_1_2?crid=13RFFRX4ZAX0O&dchild=1&keywords=flirt+pole+squishy+face&qid=1586024529&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=flirt+pole+s%2Cpets%2C160&sr=1-2

Another fun, interactive enrichment product is called the “KONG Ballistic Hide ‘N Treat Dog Toy.” When you open this toy up there are pockets inside where you hide treats. The best part of this toy is that it is closed by velcro. You can lightly close the velcro to make it easier for your dog, or push the Velcro together tightly to make it harder. This product is best used with medium sized, dried treats inside the pockets. Enrichments needs met: foraging, mental stimulation, sniffing. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/KONG-Ballistic-Treat-Medium-Assorted/dp/B01MD20Z55/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Kong+ballistic&qid=1586026442&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-1

“Starmark’s Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy” is a multi-purpose toy. You can use it to feed your dog its meals by placing your dog’s dry kibble inside. Or, you can use it as an enrichment tool by adjusting how many treats will come out at a time. Your dog has to knock the toy around to get the treats to come out. You can make it as easy, or as hard as you want by simply adjusting the sliding door where treats come out. Enrichment needs met: foraging, mental, physical, and sniffing. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/StarMark-Bob-Lot-Interactive-Large/dp/B001JQLNB4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Bobs+a+lot&qid=1586027288&sr=8-1

Want to really challenge your dog? Try the Dog Tornado Puzzle Toy by Outward Hound. My French Bulldog likes this toy because he likes anything that moves. In order to get the hidden treats dogs have to move the large bone shapes. This is also a great toy for shelter dogs that spend a lot of time in kennels. Enrichment needs met: mental, physical, foraging. Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Outward-Hound-Ottosson-Tornado-Puzzle/dp/B07239T47Y/ref=sr_1_7_mod_primary_new?dchild=1&keywords=Dog+smart+puzzle&qid=1586028323&sr=8-7

I hope that these enrichment products will keep your dog busy, tired and, most of all, happy during COVID19. If you’d like more enrichment and toy ideas for your dog, see my “Faith’s Favorites” on my “Product” page. Thank you for visiting my site and for enriching your dog’s life.