Preventing Boredom Through Enrichment Toys and Games
Dogs are athletes and have instincts designed to perform specific tasks. Most dogs would choose to engage in an activity instead of laying around. Moreover, they would prefer to behave in a manner that aligns with their natural genetic instincts.
There are many games, toys and enrichment opportunities that will keep your dog engaged and happy. And a tired, happy dog stays out of trouble!
Interactive Toys
There are many types of puzzle toys available to keep your dog busy and prevent boredom. These puzzles involve hiding food within cells and closing them. Your dog needs to sniff through the puzzle to find the cells that have food hiding inside. Some puzzles require a nose push, others a paw push. It’s up to your dog to find out what works best.
Another type of interactive toy is a Snuffle mat where food is hidden within the strips of mat material. Your dog will need to nuzzle through the mat and find the hidden food, without eating the material. This interactive toy will require you to remain vigilant to ensure that your dog eats only the treats.
There are interactive toys that will dispense kibbles if rolled around. Your dog can roll them with their nose or paws. As the toy rolls, kibbles fall out. Many of the toys can be programmed via changing the size of the dispensing aperture. A bigger aperture means more kibbles fall out easily, versus a smaller aperture, where only one kibble at time, if the toy is rolled in a specific manner.
Dogs who like stuffed toys also have great interactive toy possibilities. There are stuffed toys such as a house, tree or box, with smaller stuffed toys within. For example, a birdhouse with little stuffed birds inside. Or a log with little stuffed squirrels inside. Some stuffed toys have smaller pieces that attach to each other via Velcro to create a bigger stuffed toy.
Should your dog love to chew and stuffed toys or plastic puzzles might become dangerous small pieces, there are hardy toys available that also offer an interactive experience. Big hard rubber toys that can be stuffed with crushed vegetables or canned dog food. For dogs who might be teething, this can be presented as a frozen toy.
Most dogs prefer a big bone. Cow shank bones are safe with most dogs. It is best, however, to be present when your dog is chewing on one. If the bone is dropped on a hard surface, it can still splinter making it dangerous. Some shank bones have very thick walls and can be reused. Once again, with a young teething dog these bones can be stuffed with pureed vegetables, squeeze cheese or other goodies, frozen and then given to that busy teething pup to keep them busy for a long time.
One of the best chewing toys are Elk antlers. They are solid calcium, making them nutritious. They rarely break apart or splinter and last a very long time, even with aggressive chewers. Most dogs will remain busy with them for hours. Be sure to pick out the right size for your dog, though. Too small can be dangerous as it can be swallowed. Too large and your little dog can’t get their jaws around it to chew.
The Games We Play - Create Joy in the Day
While dogs enjoy interactive toys their favorite interactive toy is you. Playing with you is the best enrichment activity you can offer your dog. Games of fetch, running together, swimming together, learning together and playing tug release pleasure endorphins (hormones) in your dog’s brain.
Most dogs enjoy training games. Once your dog understands some basic concepts such as come, sit, down and stand, you can begin teaching tricks or set up games. Games can include:
Fetch – Many dogs enjoy a simple game of fetch. While some dogs prefer a ball or bone, others have a favorite stuffed toy. You’ll want to begin the game by throwing their favorite toy just a short distance. As they go to get it, praise. Once they have it in their mouths, scoot backward and encourage your dog to come to you. When they arrive, put your hand on the toy as you offer a treat in the other hand. The moment the toy is dropped into your hand, give your dog the treat. Repeat as often as your dog remains interested in the game.
Find – You can teach your dog to find a specific person, or to find a toy. If you want to have them, find a specific person, begin by playing the Round Robin game of come and sit. This game entails having people take turns calling the dog to them. As the dog learns the game they’ll come in faster, and you will gain more distance. As you gain distance you can also hide behind objects. As one person calls the dog, the other tells the dog to find that specific person by name. Repetition will create knowledge and enhance your dog’s responses.
If teaching your dog to find a toy, begin by hiding it in plain sight. As your dog “finds” the toy, begin to make it more challenging for them. Hide it further away, or behind something. Some dogs will be more enthusiastic if the toy also holds a food reward. They will use their noses to locate the toy. As dogs love to use their exceptional ability to scent, this game will utilize their instincts, naturally making them very happy.
Dogs are often thrilled to learn new tricks. They are highly stimulated by learning new behaviors and being rewarded for performing them. Break each trick down into small parts and gradually bring them together as your dog accomplishes each portion.
An example of a fun, and quick to teach, trick is the twirl.
1. Begin by having your dog target on your hand.
2. Move your hand toward their tail. Reward when your dog turns their head in that direction. Repeat 3 times.
3. Move your hand to just beyond the tail. Reward as your dog turns their body around to target on your hand. You’re halfway there!
4. Next move your hand beyond your dog’s tail. As your dog makes this turn, bring your hand back to the front where you began. Be sure to reward your dog as they make this entire turn. You now have a complete spin!
To ensure a complete understanding of this trick, repeat it 3-4 times. Then add a verbal cue, such as “Twirl,” or “Spin.” Your dog will recognize your hand motion and follow that cue, but through repetition, they’ll also learn the verbal cue associated with it.
Breaking down a trick will ensure success and enjoyment for everyone.
