Dogs aren’t too difficult to shop for. They are grateful for anything you give them. As responsible pet owners, we want to get them something fitting for their age and needs. Something that is always needed in the lives of our pets is enrichment. Enrichment of the mind and body is crucial for our dogs’ health and development and keeps them busy. Since enriching activities are essential for our dogs, here is a gift-giving guide for dog enrichment that can help you buy the right things for your dog’s needs.
Lick Mats and Kongs
Lick mats and kongs can be both a tasty treat and an enriching activity for your dog. This simple lick mat can be a simple and effective solution to keep your dog entertained as you get things done throughout the day. With so many mat designs, fillings, and shapes for kongs, this simple activity can be customized to your dog’s taste buds while keeping them busy and occupied.
Puzzles
Puzzle toys can be a great brain teaser for your dog. These mind games can challenge your dog’s thinking and senses by figuring out how to maneuver obstacles to get to the goal treat or toy. This is an excellent way for your dog to use their mind and keep them entertained for long periods. Puzzles are also a great toy to have on hand when the weather isn’t good to be outside or if you have a hectic day with a limited amount of time for a long walk or playtime.
Hide and Seek
Hide and seek can be a fun scavenging game for your dog. There are multiple ways to set up a hide-and-seek game. You can make it adventurous by planting small treats around the house for your pet to sniff out and find. This game will allow your dog to get some exercise and playtime sniffing around the house. Or, for an older or less active dog, you can wrap treats up in an old shirt or towel and have your pup unwind and dig through the material to seek the treats. Both options allow your dog to use their senses and mind as they navigate the obstacle.
Agility Equipment
You can start agility training for fun, competitions for the more active dogs, or those that want a challenge. Agility equipment doesn’t have to be expensive and can be homemade if you are on a tight budget, but you can also purchase equipment online or from a store. Be sure to research to buy the right products, as some things may depend on your dog’s training level. If your dog is starting out, it may be best to choose some easy agility obstacles, to begin with.
Trick Training
More training is always a good idea. It could be fun to purchase a book of tricks to try out with your dog. This perfect enrichment activity involves thinking, communicating, being active and quality time together. Training is an activity that can’t be done alone, so your dog will surely be grateful to spend time with their favorite person.
This gift-giving guide for dog enrichment will help make holiday shopping for your furry friend easier. With these enriching toys, activities and programs, you can help your dog cure their restlessness for the coming year. Be sure to check out our Walk N’ Train enrichment package to see if this program aligns with your dog’s needs. Help your dog become the best dog they can be in 2023. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at East Paws if you have any additional questions about our enrichment program. Happy Howl-days!
