Dog Training/Rehab Tip - The Importance of Enrichment
This is a reprint from the May 2024 newsletter.
Providing your dog with activities that meet their natural needs is important. Many dogs have a pretty boring life as they sit at home while we go off to work and go about our daily business. This can lead to boredom and behavior issues as they make up their own jobs, which can include chewing your things, patrolling the windows, barking at people, etc.
Providing enrichment activities can help alleviate your dogs boredom and satisfy their instinctual needs. There are many different things you can give your dog to do that will help exercise their body and mind. Here are just a few ideas (be sure to supervise your dog to ensure they don't ingest anything they shouldn't):
Stuffed Kong
Treat toys
Snuffle mat
Scatter Feed (either outside or inside)
Food Puzzles
Hide their kibble in various things such as TP rolls & cardboard boxes
Trick training
Agility
Go for a walk or hike - let your dog choose the route
Go for a long "sniffari" walk
Play games such as hide and seek
Make a digging pit in the yard
But don't stop there, get creative! There are an endless ways you can provide enrichment activities for your dog so they can have activities throughout the day that satisfy their needs for both body and mind.
Want to learn more about training your dog?
Check out this great resource and get a full month of free access to all the dog training information and videos there! What a GREAT way to start 2024 off right!
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Note and disclaimer: All information in the blog posts on this site is my opinion based on my own experience rehabilitating an aggressive dog. I am not a professional behaviorist or otherwise involved in the Veterinary profession. If you are dealing with an aggressive dog, I recommend you seek the advice of a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist.
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