Dog enrichment, the easy way!
Did you know that with a few small changes to meal time, your dog could be working for their meals and tiring themselves out at the same time? Read on to find out how to add enrichment to your dogs lives!
Did you know that with a few small changes to meal time, your dog could be working for their meals and tiring themselves out at the same time? Read on to find out how to add enrichment to your dogs lives!
Did you know that dogs would prefer to work for their meals versus getting them for free?
The phenomenon is called "contra free loading" and it is observed in many species. If you'd like to know more about contra free loading, click here.
So how does contra free loading apply to dogs?
If you've ever worked with me, you've heard me preach about skipping meals out of normal dog food bowls.
Why?
Meal time is an easy opportunity to give your dog a chance to use their brain and body to work for their food!
Rachel Harris CPDT-KA
Owner, A Good Feeling Dog Training
Rachel Harris CPDT-KA, is a certified professional dog trainer. She has 7 years of experience working with dogs and their humans to enrich their lives and change their behavior.
Dog training has been such a rewarding career and I am so grateful to get to know such wonderful dogs and their humans along the way.
I learn something new with every dog and human that I work with. Something that stands out , is humans who want to do their best to meet all of their dogs needs.
I want to give you practical ideas for enriching your dogs lives, without a huge time commitment from you.
Rachel Harris, CPDT-KA
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Instead of throwing away your empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls, save them for cheap enrichment for your dogs.
Mental stimulation is so important for your dog. There are tons of interactive food toys on the market. Check out our “Products We Use” page to see which toys we like the best. As much as my dogs enjoy their toys they also love to tear apart the stuffed rolls just as much!
Fold the ends of one side until the opening is closed off. Fill with kibble and treats and then fold the other end. Easy as that!
I like to stuff several and hide them throughout the house. After 30 minutes of foraging and shredding the dogs are wiped out. Only a few minutes of clean up for the human and you’re good to go!
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DIY Snuffle Mat!
I bought an outdoor mat off of amazon. Like this one
Then cut about 40, 6 inch strips of fleece and alternated tying them in the mat.
Add kibble and tada!
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Today I stuffed 3 different sizes of kongs. The medium size usually takes Sunny and Tiva 10-15 minutes to finish after the kongs have been frozen, large 15-30 minutes and the extra large 30-60 minutes.
I used canned pumpkin, canned lamb tripe (that’s smells terrible but is a super food for dogs), canned bison, freeze dried dog treat crumbs and string cheese.
I cut the cheese into 1/2 inch pieces and put them into the kong first as a stopper.
Then I added the pumpkin,tripe, dog treat crumbs and bison alternating spoonfuls and topped with pieces of cheese.
Kongs are extremely handy to have for when the dogs are bothering you and you are knee deep doing something else!
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Set yourself up for success and have stuffed kongs in the freezer!
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Putting your dogs meal in a normal dog food bowl, is really a waste. Instead utilize one of these ideas for enrichment during meal time!
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Slow bowl feedersIf you feed raw, homemade or canned food. The slow bowl feeder is a great option. Easy to clean and gives the dogs more of a challenge!
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Cookie ScatterIt can be as easy as scattering your dogs meals into the grass (or weeds in my case) in your backyard! They will spend time sniffing and foraging for their meals!
I'd be happy to help coach you and your dog through the training process!
You can work with me several ways!
-Online Courses
-Skype Sessions
-In Your Home Sessions
-Group Classes
Want free dog training advice?
Check out Disorderly Dogs, the Pawdcast!