What is dog enrichment?
Dog enrichment is a term used to describe activities that are designed to increase the mental stimulation, physical exercise and emotional health of dogs. These activities can include interactive dog toys, puzzles, scent games, and physical activities such as agility or retrieving.
Canine enrichment activities help to reduce boredom and stress, enhance positive behavior, and create a stronger bond between dogs and their owners. Below is a list of 75 dog enrichment ideas for your exploration.
Dog enrichment ideas
1 Play hide and seek
Hide and seek is a fun way for your dog to use their nose to find their favorite person. Hide behind a door and call your dog and see them put their nose to use!
2 Create a scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is another scent game for your dog to enjoy. Hide treats or bones in your garden and watch them explore to find their reward.
3 Hide food
Much like a scavenger hunt, you can hide food such as their favorite kibble in a towel or under the sofa for them to find. They are instantly rewarded with a delicious treat for their hard work!
4 Take a new route for their daily walk
Another great enrichment for your dog is to take them on a new route for their daily walk. A new route means new dogs to meet and new scents to explore!
5 Take your dog running
Running with your dog is a great form of physical exercise for both you and your dog. A quick jog around the block is also a good bonding exercise for you and your pup.
Running With Your Dog – The Ultimate Guide
6 Take your dog camping
Dogs love to explore the great outdoors and what better way to do that then taking them on a camping trip! The new sights and smells will enrich your dog’s life immensely.
How To Camp With Dogs – A Beginners Guide
7 Dog treadmills
A dog treadmill is a great option if you are unable to take your dog outside for exercise. You may live in an area that has extreme weather at points in the year making it difficult to exercise your dog outside. A dog treadmill means your dog doesn’t have to miss out on their daily exercise during these periods.
Best Dog Treadmills To Exercise Your Dog Indoors
8 Licky mat
A licky mat or a slow-feed dog bowl will not only slow down your dog’s eating but will allow them to enjoy their delicious meal for longer.
9 Dog puzzles
There is no better mental exercise for your dog than a puzzle. Dog puzzle toys can include interactive food puzzles or you could create your own muffin tin puzzle by hiding a couple of dog treats in a muffin tin with tennis balls on top.
10 Walks with their fur friends
As dogs are pack animals they love to socialize and a great way to do this is to organize a dog walk with their fur friends for the ultimate social enrichment activity.
11 Set up an agility course
If you have a high-energy dog then an agility course will be perfect for them. You can set up a DIY dog agility course in your garden for under $100.
12 Nose work course
A nose work course is a group of training sessions that teach your dog to hone their sense of smell and increase their retrieving skills. These are fun and engaging classes for your pup which will give their mind and nose a good exercise!
13 Trick learning
Teach your dog a new trick they haven’t learned yet. A new trick is a good activity for cognitive enrichment. New tricks you could try are “play dead” and “roll over.”
14 Dog hike
Your dog will love to stretch their legs on a hike in the great out-paws! A good old-fashioned dog hike is a perfect form of physical enrichment. Explore different trails together for new sights and sounds.
15 Play fetch
A simple game of fetch can be all your dog needs to increase their overall well-being. This type of physical activity allows your dog to expend energy in short bursts with minimal effort from you!
16 Doggy Massage
A relaxing massage is not just for humans, dog’s also like to be pampered! If you would like to explore the world of dog massage therapy you can start with a simple ear massage for your pooch. Gently massage the flap of their ear between your thumb and index finger in a circular motion.
17 Visit a pet store
A dog in a pet store is like a kid in a candy store, they’ll want to get their paws on everything! Stores such as Petco allow dogs inside. Don’t have a Petco in your area? Simply call your local pet store to see if your fido can take a peek inside!
18 Take your dog on a car ride
What dog doesn’t love to shove his head out of the window on a car ride? A quick car ride to the grocery store is great for your dog’s mental stimulation and boredom. You might not go far but it’s a wonderful way to break up your dog’s day.
19 Tug of war
A good old-fashioned game of tug of war plays into your dog’s natural instincts to tug their prey from other predators. If you have two dogs, a rope toy is a great way for the dogs to build a strong companionship with each other.
20 Swimming
A lot of dogs immediately jump into a body of water when they see one. They just can’t help themselves. Taking your pup for lake swims or ocean dips lets them satisfy this desire one more time!
21 Long lasting chew toys
Whilst spending hours chewing on a bone might not be something us humans are inclined to do, it is something our pups would put high on their to-do list.
22 Bones from the butcher
Another way to provide enrichment for your dog is by popping into the local butcher to ask if they have any bones for sale for your dog. For only a couple of bucks you can pick up a bone full of bone marrow for your dog. After all, one man’s trash is another dog’s treasure!
23 Interactive treat dispenser
At the heart of enrichment toys are interactive treat dispensers! These are the perfect type of toy for bored dogs who are in need of a challenge in their lives.
24 Bike ride
Want to take your dog for a run but don’t want to actually run? Well taking your dog for a bike ride is a great way to increase your dog’s physical exercise whilst keeping your own low.
25 Digging pit
Put a dog in front of some soft ground and they’ll start to dig! You probably don’t want your dog to dig up your yard so check out the local dog park, they may have put in a digging pit for the dogs.
26 Take them to a professional dog groomer
Just like most humans like to get their hair done at the salon, most dogs like to be groomed. By taking your dog to a professional dog groomer they get to interact with new dogs and humans and come away with a glossy coat, free of painful mats.
27 Listening to music
Studies have shown that dogs’ behavior can change depending on the type of music being played to them. Though they might not be able to tell the difference between Bach and Beethoven, a classical music track might just be able to calm them in a stressful environment.
28 Ball pit
What’s better than one dog ball? Lots of dog balls! A DIY ball pit in your home might just be your dog’s number one dream!
29 Interactive toys
A simple squeak of a dog toy is enough to get any dog tilting their head in wonder! Squeaky dog toys are another example of enrichment toys that play into your dog’s natural instincts.
30 Visit a dog-friendly beach
If you have a sea pup on your hands then a visit to a dog-friendly beach is they activity for you and your dog! Not only will there be other dogs there to play with but they’ll get to move their body in more ways.
31 Plush dog bed
For the pooches who would like a little more luxury in their lives, a plush dog bed with raised edges is the way to go. They’ll sink into the bed and rest their head on the edge for maximum comfort.
32 Reading to your dog
Another great way to bond with your dog is to read to them. It will be relaxing for you and quality time with their owner for them. Just don’t be offended if they drift off to sleep at the sound of your soothing voice!
33 Speaking to your dog
Studies have shown that talking to a dog in a high-pitched voice and using words they understand such as “Good boy!” and “Walkies!” increased the time they spent next to the person speaking to them. Though the conversation may be very one-sided, the strong, foundational bond built will be very much shared between both you and your dog.
Dog Behaviors and What They Mean
34 Supplements for your dog
Supplements for dogs are becoming very popular as dog owners are becoming more aware of their own health. These can be especially beneficial for older dogs who are suffering from painful joints.
35 Long-lasting treat dispenser
A good way to calm a dog in stressful situations is to give them a long-lasting treat dispenser such as a stuffed Kong toy to distract them from what they would be stressed about for example being left alone.
36 Boat ride
Boating with dogs is the perfect combination of their love of swimming and exploring new places. This will truly be a special experience for them.
37 Explore a new dog park
Just like humans like to explore a new restaurant or bar, dogs like to explore new dog parks! Here they get to meet new dogs, smell different scents and explore new areas.
38 Dog sandbox
Along the same lines as a digging pit, a dog sandbox lets your pup dig until their heart is content without the worry of them digging up your vegetable patch!
39 Dog swimming pool
Perfect for those hot summer days, a dog swimming pool lets your dog stay outside in nature but also cool down to keep them happy and safe.
40 Dog kayak ride
If you love getting out on the water then a dog kayak is for you and your pup! No more waiting on the shoreline for you to return, your dog can get in on the action with a dog-friendly kayak.
Best Kayak For Dogs – Top Dog-Friendly Kayaks
41 Explore new hiking trails
Just like we like to explore new hiking trails, so too do our four-legged friends.
42 Take a nap together
Another bonding exercise between you and your dog is as easy as taking a nap together! There is something so sweet about curling up in bed for 20 minutes with the dog at the foot of the bed.
43 Give them a brush
TLC for your dog could be as simple as a quick brush. Dogs aren’t able to brush their own fur so they rely on their humans to keep the mats at bay.
44 Take them on a snowshoe hike
OK so the dog doesn’t need snow shoes but they will love to join you on your snowshoe hike! They may have never frolicked in snow so this may be a really cool adventure for them!
45 Visit a dog friendly cafe
A great way to top off a dog walk could be to stop in at a dog-friendly cafe. Your dog likely won’t be allowed inside but lots of cafes allow dogs to be in their outside/patio area. Your dog will love to sit and watch the world go by as you enjoy your cup of coffee and pastry.
46 Visit a dog friendly pub
“Yappy hour” is a dog’s version of “happy hour.” Local pups are allowing dog owners to enjoy a drink with their four-legged friends. Just don’t be surprised if your dog forgets their wallet at home!
47 Farmers market
Your dog will love to take a stroll around the local farmers market. They will get to meet new dogs, have pets from new people and smell the delicious cheeses and chutneys on offer.
48 Frisbee
For the active dogs in your life who love to run, jump and … catch frisbees! A dog frisbee offers a new type of challenge for your dog than regular tennis balls. These dog frisbees travel further and are easier for your dog to catch mid-flight which makes for a fun challenge.
49 Floating dog toys
For dogs who love swimming and dog toys comes the invention of floating dog toys! These toys combine fetch and swimming for a more enriching activity.
50 Sprinkler
There’s something about water spurting out of the ground that makes dogs go wild! Now hopefully you don’t have a burst pipe and have a dog sprinkler in the garden that your dog is going crazy for!
51 Road trip
It doesn’t matter where you are going, dogs love to just come along for the ride on road trips. With the wind in their fur and the sweet scent of freshly cut grass, your pup will cherish their road trips with you just as much as you will with them.
52 Snuffle mat
A snuffle mat is a great way to keep your dog entertained as they sniff out their delicious treats.
53 Stroller ride
This one is especially important for the older puppos in our lives who aren’t too good on their feet anymore. With a stroller ride, they can still enjoy feeling the wind in their fur and smelling the sweet scent of freshly cut grass.
54 Go plogging
A new craze is taking the dog community by storm and it combines exercise and being eco-friendly – enter plogging. It is a practice where you pick up garbage whilst walking or jogging with your dog. It’s great for your health, your dog’s health and the environment!
55 Paddleboarding
Another one for the water pups is paddleboarding. Your dog will love to glide across the open water on a paddleboard enjoying the fresh sea breeze.
56 Create a vegetable patch
Another great way to increase your dog’s enrichment is to build a vegetable patch with them. They make for excellent diggers for you to plant the seeds. They may or may not dig them up again afterwards!
57 Make dog treats together
So your dog might spend the whole time trying to eat the ingredients before you even get them in the bowl but making dog treats together is a fun exercise for both you and your pup.
58 Dog food toppers
Dog food toppers not only add variety to your dog’s meals but some can also increase your dog’s overall health such as probiotics or glucosamine.
59 Host a doggy date at your place
If you are already inviting your friends over then ask them to bring their dogs! It will be a new place for your dog to socialize with their friends and a great way to keep your pup entertained whilst your catch up with your friends.
60 Dog Macarons
Yes, you heard that correctly! This French delicacy is now available for your pup to try thanks to the creators over at Bonne et Filou! From lavender to salted caramel, the delicious flavors on offer are a perfect way to enrich your dog’s palate!
61 Fence window
Along the same line as the neighborhood watch, a fence window is for the pups who are in the yard and would like to look out and see the world go by.
62 Crate train your dog
One of the most important things you can do for your dog is to provide them with a safe space in your house. This is a space where they can retreat to when they are feeling overwhelmed or need some quiet time. A crate provides the perfect place for this.
How To Crate Train a Puppy In 5 Easy Steps
63 Tunnel
A tunnel is a fun and exciting obstacle for your dog to run through. It can either be used on its own or as part of an agility course.
64 Jump through the hoop
A little game for the agile dogs out there who love to perform tricks. Hold the hula hoop high enough that your dog has to jump through and it feel like a challenge for them.
65 Which cup is the treat under?
This is a fun game that uses your dog’s amazing sense of smell. Ask them to touch the cup the treat is under for their reward.
66 Which hand is the treat in
The same game as the one above but this time you use your hands to conceal the treat and ask your dog to place their paw on the hand they think the treat is in.
67 Blow bubbles to your dog
It is a true pleasure to see the enjoyment dogs get out of jumping up to pop bubbles. Just be sure to get the pet friendly bubbles.
68 Take them to an agility class
If you have an active, high-energy dog then they will likely enjoy an agility class. You can find one in your local area to take your dog to. They will be challenged by the course and will have to use a lot of muscles to get over the obstacles.
69 Take them to an obedience class
An obedience class is a great day out for your dog. They get to meet news dogs and people and learn some cool tricks as well.
70 Take them to a doggy daycare
Another way to increase your dog’s social circle is to take them to a doggy daycare. They will get to meet lots of different dogs and smell lots of different smells.
71 Neighborhood watch
Allowing your dogs to look out the window is especially important for dogs who have separation anxiety. It wasn’t until a friend moved a table in front of the window for my dog to sit on did I truly understand the importance. His separation anxiety decreased a great deal by simply being able to watch the world go by.
72 Sing to your dog
The only ears that hear my singing are my dog’s! Luckily he doesn’t critique my singing and happily listens along.
73 Dance with your dog
Whether your dog has two left paws or is a wonderful dancer, they’ll enjoy dancing around the kitchen with you to the radio.
74 Jumping in leaves
You’ve probably seen many videos of dogs jumping into huge piles of freshly raked leaves. Don’t ask me why they love to do it but they do. Try creating a leaf pile for your pup and see if they enjoy jumping into it.
75 Go on a dog walk charity event
Last but not least, take your dog on a charity walk. They will love getting outside and stretching their legs and you will love giving back to your community by supporting a charity.
Conclusion
Dog enrichment activities are a great way to spice up your pup’s life. By providing them with physical and mental stimulation, you can help to make sure they stay fit and healthy in both body and mind. There are so many different activities you can do with your dog which will help them to feel more fulfilled and content. Whether it’s a game of tug-of-war, a hike in the great outdoors, or teaching them a new trick, there are plenty of activities to keep your pup entertained.
