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100 DIY Enrichment/Brain Games For Your Dog 🐶
Searching for fun enrichment ideas for your dog?
Here’s a little secret most dog trainers don’t know:
Nearly all dog training issues (or at the very least the common majority of them) can be prevented with mental enrichment. Unwanted habits and behaviours can also be much more easily managed when you make use of daily brain exercises.
Practice these with your supervision so that you can be part of the fun, help your dog as needed and ensure all remains safe. If your dog is more interested in chewing, and destroying, switch to a more physical game, before trying again.
100 Enrichment Ideas 💡🧠
Use the dropdowns to search through the full list of enrichment ideas.
#IDEA 1. Order a little dog bell for this exercise. Place the bell in front of your dog and feed them a treat if they sniff the bell. Next, feed them a treat if they touch it, and then another treat if they touch the bell and it makes a sound. From this point on, wait for your dog to paw the bell! Put it away when not in use.
#IDEA 4. Got chores to do? The next time you're doing the laundry and placing it from one room to another, get a hands-free-leash, clip your dog to it/you, and place around your home a number of empty Amazon boxes or minor obstacles that your dog will need to jump over to be able to walk on with you while you do your laundry.
#IDEA 7. Got a few travel bags handy? Grab two socks and put a bit of perfume on both, and place one inside one of the bags if/when your dog sniffs for the hidden sock in one of the bags, provide them with a reward as you feel that he is starting to match the scent. This can be a neat party trick!
#IDEA 2. Got a snuffle mat handy? Is your dog a pro snuffler? Take things to the next level by using a dog-calming mask the next time you'd like for your dog to snuffle! This way your dog will get to use their talented nose, more than ever. (Make sure to properly socialize them to it first, very slowly.)
#IDEA 5. Got stairs in your house or your building? Depending on your dog's confidence level, you can turn the stairs into an easy mini-agility course by tossing and hiding your dog's kibble or small treats. Go a step further by using plastic containers to hide each piece to have your dog scavenge using their nose.
#IDEA 8. Got a large cardboard box to spare? Using a pen or pencil, poke multiple small holes through the cardboard so that you can tightly place pieces of your dog's kibble in each hole. That way your dog will need to either push, lick/chew or paw his way to getting each piece from the cardboard.
#IDEA 3. Has your dog figured out his food puzzle by now? Wrap their food puzzle in a large or thick blanket (thoroughly), sprinkle a few treats here and there within the wrapped blanket and let them figure out how to get to the puzzle inside! Helping them will help increase your bond with your dog.
#IDEA 6. Got a pair of old socks? If they have holes even better! Fold a pair of socks into a ball, but as you fold them, place your dog's pieces of kibble inside and present it to him to let the snuffling begin! If you have more than two old socks, you can create more snuffle balls or add even more layers.
#IDEA 9. With the front door or backyard door open (or slightly open, depending on comfort level), hang out with your dog on leash, as you wait for him to share eye contact with you before rewarding them with their kibble or treats, to reward them for ignored any distractions coming from outside.
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