Enrichment is a concept that you may or may not be familiar with, but if you are it is likely in the context of improving the lives of animals in zoos. The purpose of enrichment is to make the animals’ environments “interesting, allow animals to perform natural behaviors, permit them to be more active and increase the animals’ control over their environment”. (Source: St. Louis Zoo)

When an animal’s environment is allowed to become boring and routine, this can lead to behavioral and mental issues such as anxiety, depression, or irritability among other things. While the concept is normally applied to zoo animals, pets at home can benefit from enrichment as well.

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Types of Enrichment

There are a few widely recognized “types” or categories that enrichment falls into. While the types often overlap, they are generally identified as:

  • Behavioral/Social: This type of  enrichment for your dog encompasses activities like meeting new dogs or playing with a member of their family.
  • Environmental:Environmental enrichment includes anything that exists in their environment. For a dog, this might be a crate they can go into, a favorite blanket, a yard they can roll around in, or a spot they are allowed to make their own.
  • Sensory: Sensory enrichment is anything to do with your dog’s senses. Options for sensory enrichment include giving your dog new foods or treats to try, letting them sniff at interesting things or putting on nature sounds while you’re out of the house.
  • Food: Food enrichment can include new treats or feeding your dog in a novel way. Puzzle feeders are a great source of food enrichment. You may also choose to hide your pup’s food in piles around the house and have her “forage” for it by sniffing it out.
  • Manipulative/Toys: This type of enrichment is exactly what it sounds like – toys! Buying or making your dog new toys every once in a while is an easy way to change up their environment and make it more exciting. A toy can be as complicated as a little robot for your dog to chase or as simple as a paper towel tube they can rip up (while supervised). As long as your dog is engaged in play, it can count as enrichment.
  • Training: Training as enrichment is about stimulating your dog mentally. Teaching a dog of any age new tricks requires focus and trust between you and your pup. New tricks are not only a source of enrichment but are an interesting talking point when your dog can show off around your friends.

Why Enrichment is Important

If there is one thing everyone has learned while in quarantine, it is that being in the same environment all the time can get boring fast. Your dog is basically in quarantine all the time and because of that owners should strive to provide an enriching environment for their pets. Doing so can help reduce separation anxiety and behavioral issues or prevent puppies from developing them.

If you are looking for more ways to enrich your dogs environment, you can browse our blog. To teach your dog commands, obedience and new tricks – call Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training. We are committed to helping you to understand your dogs needs and behaviors; and to create an environment for your dog which will keep him happy and healthy.