Dogs are more than pets. They're part of the family. As their guardians, we’re responsible for every aspect of their well-being. One of the most meaningful ways to do this is through enrichment. It allows them to be all the dog they can be and thrive.
However, the majority of the information found online is all over the map, and some is just flat-out wrong. We hope to change that with this in-depth article, where you’ll learn:
How enrichment came to be.
What enrichment is.
The benefits of enrichment.
The different aspects of a dog’s life enrichment affects.
Enrichment activities that are free, quick, and easy.
In other words, it will provide you with a strong enrichment foundation that will help you and your dog live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives together.
To truly understand the importance and necessity of enrichment to animals, we need to look at pre-1960s-ish zoos. Animals were confined to sterile, uninviting cells.
All day, every day.
With nothing to do, they just sat there, lifeless, and/or would perform repetitive movements that didn’t serve any purpose (like endless pacing, for example) which are a hallmark of deprivation and chronic stress. These behaviors are calledstereotypies and are especially noticeable in zoo environments where animals are kept in small, barren enclosures with limited interaction and activities.
The most riveting—and we’re using that word with Christ-like generosity—part of zoo life for these animals was feeding time, when food was just plopped down in front of them. While humans may prefer a nicely plated, that's not how it works with animals, including dogs. They prefer to work for their food (which is known as contrafreeloading), because it’s how they’re wired to eat in nature.
None of this zoo stuff sat well with Dr. Hal Markowitz, a man who was many things, including an animal behaviorist. Being the dreamer and doer that he was, Dr. Markowitz decided to do something about it.
Dr. Markowitz knew he had to learn what the animals’ needs were in the wild to meet them in captivity. So he ventured into the great outside and simply watched them do their thing all day, documenting what he observed.
After observing the animals’ behaviors and learning their needs, Dr. Markowitz went all Property Brothers on zoos and completely revamped things to feel and operate more like their natural habitats. And when he did, something magical happened: the animals flourished.
While we’ve oversimplified the history for brevity’s sake, it still illustrates the importance and impact enrichment has on the lives of captive animals, which includes dogs.
Dr. Markowitz said, “Enrichment should be a synonym for ‘more like nature.’” In their book,Canine Enrichment For The Real World, the authors define enrichment as:
Meeting all of an animal’s needs as closely as possible to how they would be met in the wild, in order to empower them to engage in species-typical behaviors in healthy and appropriate ways.
To put it another way, enrichment is about letting captive animals live like they’re in nature. For dogs, that means letting them be all the dog they can be while living in environments that aren’t designed for them: people homes. By allowing them to stay true to who they are, they become healthy, mentally stimulated, emotionally balanced, and socially integrated.
Before we dive into the benefits of enrichment, we need to talk about agency: one’s ability to have some degree of control over their environment and make choices to get the outcomes they want. While it’s not discussed much, it’s vital to one’s well-being—whether you’re a human, dog, cat, etc.
Without agency, dogs can end up in a state of learned helplessness, which manifests as passivity, low energy, lack of motivation, decreased appetite, and social withdrawal.
However, this sort of behavior can be misinterpreted as a dog who’s easy-going and chill. The sad reality is that it’s more akin to depression, because learned helplessness essentially means they’ve given up on life.
Research shows that a lack of agency stems from:
Limited choices: The dog has few or no opportunities to make decisions about their daily life, such as when to eat, sleep, or play.
Lack of control: The dog cannot influence their surroundings or access resources they need, such as food, water, or a comfortable resting place.
Unpredictability: The dog's environment is inconsistent or unpredictable, making it difficult for them to anticipate what will happen next.
Forced interactions: The dog is forced to interact with people or other animals, even when they feel uncomfortable or stressed.
Restricted movement: The dog is confined to a small space or prevented from moving around freely, limiting their ability to explore and engage with their environment.
The good news is that it’s largely preventable by allowing your dog to have some control over their life. That doesn’t mean a free-for-all where they get to make all the rules. Rather, it’s simply allowing them to exercise the preferences unique to their personalities. Here are a few examples of how you can foster agency in your dog’s life:
Daily walks: Mix things up by giving them opportunities to choose the route, as long as it’s safe.
Socializing: Allow them to approach and engage with others at a pace they’re comfortable with.
Playtime:Lay out a few different toys and let them choose which one(s) they’d like to play with.
Sleep: If able, set up an extra dog bed in another space so they have options.
Even though providing agency doesn’t require much time or effort, a little goes a long way. And when a dog feels they have control over their world, they learn to trust us, which is the most special gift of all.
There’s no shortage of marketing that proclaims enrichment helps keep dogs busy and tires them out. Yes, those are real benefits, but that’s like saying a car is a place you go to sit down. Is it true? Sure, but there’s more to it than that.
By providing an environment where our dogs can be dogs, they don’t have to find creative ways to indulge their canine needs. And that brings about a whole host of benefits.
Reduces stress: When dogs have appropriate ways to express themselves, they're less likely to feel frustrated or anxious and engage in behaviors associated with those states.
Prevents or overcomes behavioral issues:Enrichment addresses the root causes of many behavioral problems by fulfilling a dog's needs. A well-enriched dog is less likely to exhibit unwanted behaviors like excessive barking, chewing, or digging.
Enhances physical health:Many enrichment activities require some degree of getting up and moving around. And regardless of intensity, movement is good for the body and mind—just like it is for humans.
Provides mental stimulation: Boredom is a common source of unwanted behaviors that are really just our dogs’ attempts at stimulating their brains and meeting their needs. Keeping their minds active and engaged improves cognitive function and problem-solving skills, and scratches the itch that gently whispers, “Those red-sole pumps sure look delicious, and you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. We don’t have anything else going on. Why not see if that’s true?”
Improves social skills: Playing and interacting with other dogs, animals, and humans helps our pups develop important social skills. They learn how to communicate effectively, build relationships, and navigate social situations with confidence.
Strengthens the human-animal bond: Participating in enrichment activities together, such as training, playing games, or exploring new environments, can strengthen the bond between dogs and their caretakers. These shared experiences create positive associations and foster trust.
NOTE: While enrichment can have a profound and positive impact on your dog’s life, visiting the vet should always be the first step in addressing any unwanted behavior to ensure it’s not due to an underlying health issue.
There are 14 foundational aspects of canine well-being, which are the “what” that you’re enriching. The enrichment you provide is the “how” you’re enriching the aforementioned “what.” And don’t worry. 14 may sound like a lot, but many activities cover multiple areas.
This goes beyond just the occasional check-up. It's about preventative care, timely interventions, and ensuring your dog has access to the best medical resources throughout their life. It also includes things like dental care, parasite prevention, and vaccinations, all of which contribute to their overall well-being.
Hygiene is more than just occasional baths. It involves regular grooming, including brushing, nail trims, and ear cleaning. It's about maintaining a clean environment for your dog, which prevents infections and promotes overall comfort.
Proper nutrition fuels your dog's body and mind. This means providing a balanced diet that meets their specific needs, considering factors like age, breed, size, and activity level. It's also about ensuring they have access to fresh, clean water at all times.
Odds are you’ve heard something like, “30 minutes of mental stimulation is equivalent to one hour of physical exercise.” Regardless of whether it’s true or not, dogs still need to move their bodies for their mental and physical health.
Your dog’s senses are their spice rack of life, providing a variety of experiences that allow them to explore the world around them in a safe and engaging way. More importantly, research shows that animals benefit the most from activities that involve the use of their dominant sense. And for dogs, it’s their sense of smell.
Safety is about protecting your dog from physical harm. This includes having a secure home environment, using leashes during walks, and being mindful of potential hazards like toxic substances or dangerous objects. Training is also part of safety, because it helps keep them out of harm’s way and protects their guardians as well.
Safety is about physical protection, but security is about emotional well-being. It's the feeling of being safe and protected. This involves creating a stable and predictable environment, providing consistent routines, ensuring they have places to retreat to where they feel safe, and offering plenty of love and reassurance. A dog who feels secure is more likely to be relaxed, confident, and resilient.
Dogs have evolved over thousands of years to perform certain behaviors, and ensuring they can engage in them is essential for their psychological well-being, not a nice-to-have. Examples include chewing, digging, chasing, and sniffing.
Foraging is the act of searching for food, and is how dogs eat in the wild. Looking for food often involves using their noses and problem-solvinging. This is why puzzle toys and feeders are an effective method of providing mental and physical stimulation.
Dogs are social animals. Interacting with other dogs, humans, and (if it makes sense for you and your pup) animals is crucial for their well-being. This includes playtime, walks with other dogs, and positive interactions with their human family—all of which helps them develop important social skills.
Keeping our dogs’ minds active is just as important as physical exercise. It involves challenging their brain with puzzles, training, and new experiences. Mental stimulation helps keep their minds sharp, prevents boredom, and can reduce the risk of cognitive decline as they age.
Just like humans, dogs need time to relax and de-stress. Calming enrichment helps dogs unwind and promotes a sense of peace. This can include providing a comfortable resting place, using calming aids like pheromone diffusers, or engaging in relaxing activities like gentle massage.
Dogs may be social, but they also need to learn to be comfortable on their own for short periods. Independence helps prevent separation anxiety and allows dogs to develop confidence and self-sufficiency.
A dog's environment is a big category that includes everything from where they live (city versus rural), air quality, temperature, etc. The most important thing about this aspect of enrichment is to always be thinking about how to improve their environment to ensure our people homes meet our fur babies’ needs.
There are many toys and puzzle feeders—like ourPiggle enrichment kit, for example—that make it easy to provide enrichment activities for your pup. However, you don’t need to spend money to enrich your dog’s life. Everyday household items can safely become enrichment in a matter of minutes or seconds.
Personally, we’re big fans of Amazon boxes, paper towel and toilet paper rolls, packing paper, old rags and towels, etc., because they’re free. Plus, nobody cares if those items get destroyed, and allowing our dogs to rip a cardboard box to shreds makes it easier to fit into the recycling bin afterwards. Win-win.
Most of the activities below involve food, because it allows for a more natural, interesting way of feeding and involves their dominant sense: smell. However, when incorporating food into enrichment it’s important to use their regular meals so they’re not being overfed.
As you try these or other enrichment activities out with your dog, you may find they don’t engage with some activities. This is completely normal, because like people, our canine companions have their own personalities and preferences. And it’s not considered enrichment if they don’t engage in the activity or enjoy it. So don’t force the activity on them. Instead, try something else to discover what they do like.
And if you’re wondering how much enrichment to provide, dogs only need a handful of activities that last for a few minutes and are spread throughout the day. They don’t need to be kept busy for hours on end.
Setup difficulty:Ridiculously easy.
Setup time: A few seconds.
Materials needed: Hands, and kibble, treats, and/or veggies.
Elements enriched:Nutrition, sensory (especially smell), species typical behaviors, and mental stimulation, social interaction.
With your dog watching, place some kibble, treats, or veggies in one hand. Make sure they can see both hands so they know which one has the food. Next, close your hands and place them behind your back. Switch the food to the other hand (you don’t have to do this every time, or at all, if you don’t want to). Then, place your hands in front of your dog to see if they can guess which one contains their tasty snack. If they guess correctly, they get the food. If not, place your hands behind your back and do it all over again. Just make sure you allow your dog to guess correctly so they don’t “lose” every time and become frustrated.
Pro tip: Don’t switch the food each time. Or, divide it up between both hands when they’re behind your back so they win no matter which hand they choose. You can even use cups or bowls to hide the food if you don’t want to use your hands.
Setup difficulty:Ridiculously easy.
Setup time: 5 minutes.
Materials needed: Cardboard box, packing or printer paper, kibble.
Elements enriched:Nutrition, sensory (especially smell), species typical behaviors, foraging, and mental stimulation.
Fill the cardboard box with crumpled packing paper (or blank printer paper), and scatter your dog’s kibble over the top. You may need to give the box a gentle shake to work the food into all of the nooks and crannies of the paper. Then, let them dive in. Use the same box and paper for future meals, but make sure to check it once or twice a week to discard any stray kibble (it’s normal if your dog misses a few pieces), as it can spoil when left out for extended periods of time. You may also need to change out the paper because it absorbs some of the oils from the kibble and loses its shape/volume over time.
Pro tip: If you don’t have any paper, scrunch up an old towel in the box and scatter the kibble over it, and/or toss in some dog toy plushies. You can even place a snuffle mat at the bottom of the box to capture all of the kibble and take mealtime to the next level.
Setup difficulty: Easy.
Setup time: 5 minutes
Materials needed: Empty box, packing paper, kibble.
Elements enriched: Nutrition, sensory (especially smell), species typical behaviors, foraging, and mental stimulation.
First, tear the packing or printer paper into smaller pieces, crumpling the paper paper around their kibble, treats, or veggies along the way. Vary the amount you add to each piece of paper to keep things interesting. Then, place the kibble-filled paper in the box, close it up (tucking the flaps under one another is plenty), and then sit back as your dog tears it to shreds to get their food.
Pro tip: To make things more challenging, throw in a few decoys (no kibble, just crumpled up paper). If you really want to kick things up a notch, place the decoys and kibble-filled paper in several smaller boxes, and place them in the larger box.
Setup difficulty: Ridiculously easy.
Setup time: Less than a minute.
Materials needed: Harness, leash, the great outside.
Elements enriched: Sensory (especially smell), species typical behaviors, and mental stimulation.
When walking your dog, let them sniff any and everything, as long as it’s safe for them (more on that in a second). Since smell is a dog’s dominant sense and how they take in the world the most, going for walks is incredibly stimulating and a big part of why they get so excited to go outside (that and squirrels in our case). It provides them with a smorgasbord of interesting scents that tell them all sorts of things about their environment.
Pro tip: Let your dog set the pace of the sniffari and choose the direction to foster agency.
Setup difficulty: Easy.
Setup time:Less than a minute.
Materials needed: Kibble, treats, or veggies.
Elements enriched: Sensory (especially smell), species typical behaviors, foraging, and mental stimulation.
If you can’t go outside to sniff, do an inside sniffari instead by hiding some of your dog’s food around your home. You can either let them discover it as they go about their day, or join the fun by serving as their inside sniffari guide to help them find their tasty treats. For the latter, repeat a phrase like, “Go find it!” while pointing out the location of the food. As they learn what the phrase means, gradually reduce how much you help them to find the sweet spot of what’s most challenging for them.
Pro tip: Simplify the setup by wrapping kibble, veggies, or other healthy snacks inside in a small towel or our Treaters, which feature pockets for food. Then, hide them around your home to start the adventure.
CAUTION: If you don’t want to use food, you can spray different scents on a clean rag and hide those around your home. But do so with caution. Some scents (i.e. essential oils) can be incredibly dangerous to dogs and their sensitive noses because of how concentrated they are. To be safe, consult your veterinarian or only buy certified scents from companies that sell kits for nose work.
Setup difficulty: Easy.
Setup time: 5 minutes.
Materials needed: Old towel, kibble/treats/veggies.
Elements enriched: Nutrition, sensory (especially smell), species typical behaviors, foraging, and mental stimulation.
Unfold the towel and place it on a flat surface before scattering their food onto it evenly. Then, roll the towel up and wrap it around itself (it should look like a flat cinnamon roll/spiral) and give it to your dog to snuffle.
Pro tip: Instead of wrapping the towel around itself, loosely tie it into knots so your dog has to figure out how to undo them. If that’s too easy, gradually tighten the knots to find the sweet spot for your pup.
By this point, you may have concluded that enriching a dog’s life parallels that of raising a child (although the latter is significantly harder). In broad strokes, parents attend to their kids’ needs, help them grow, learn, satiate their curiosity, and so on. But most importantly, parents are just there for their kids by giving them attention and being interested in them as a living, breathing person.
The act of showing up for our dogs the way parents do for their kids is probably the most important takeaway of all when it comes to enriching their lives. Because they just want to be included and enjoy hanging out with their people, whether that's supervising us as we cook dinner, sitting next to us as we watch TV, or going to Target with us for the third time in one day because you forgot to make a list. And at the end of the day, this doesn’t just enrich their lives, it enriches our human lives as well.
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