At Healing Souls Sanctuary, we know how important it is to keep our rescue dogs mentally engaged. Dog enrichment doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive. You can create mentally stimulating activities for your furry friends using simple items from around the house. These activities help dogs exercise their brains, problem-solve, and build confidence, all while tapping into their natural instincts like sniffing and scavenging.
1. Treat Towel
What You Need: A dish towel or bath towel, and some treats or kibble.
How to Use: Lay the towel on the ground and sprinkle some treats on it. Roll up the towel and let your dog unroll it to get to the treats. You can also twist the towel to make ridges, creating a fun scavenging activity.
2. Dinner in a Bag
What You Need: A paper bag (leftover from takeout or lunch) and some kibble or treats.
How to Use: Place the kibble or treats inside the bag, fold the top over, and let your dog go to work. As they get better at it, fold the bag multiple times to make it more of a challenge.
3. Muffin Tin Treats
What You Need: A muffin tin, tennis balls or small toys, and some treats.
How to Use: Put treats in the muffin tin cups and cover them with toys or tennis balls. Your dog will have to work to remove the obstacles to get to the treats. For added excitement, mix up different treats and see if your dog has a favorite!
4. Three Cup Trick
What You Need: Solo cups, muffin tin liners, or plastic eggs.
How to Use: Hide a treat under a cup and place it upside down. Encourage your dog to find the treat using their nose or paws. Once they’ve got the hang of it, move the cups around to make it more of a challenge.
5. Repurposed Recycling
What You Need: Cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, and other paper recyclables.
How to Use: Fill a cardboard tube with treats and lightly fold the ends. You can also toss these into a box filled with paper filler or toys to create a snuffle box that encourages your dog to dig and search for the hidden rewards.
Why Enrichment is Essential for Rescue Dogs Providing mental and physical stimulation through enrichment activities is critical for the wellbeing of our rescue dogs. Not only does it keep their minds sharp, but it also helps reduce boredom, prevent problem behaviors, and even alleviate stress. Plus, a mentally tired dog is a happy dog! Enrichment activities can be especially useful during stormy weather or days when it's hard to get outside for exercise.
At Healing Souls Sanctuary, we strive to give all our rescue animals the best possible care, including providing them with enrichment to enhance their quality of life. Try these simple enrichment ideas to give your dog the mental workout they need while having fun at the same time!
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