The Secret Behind a Fulfilled Dog: Enrichment
Image Description: Yellow lab wearing a grey harness and green collar stands in a stream. Behind her is a blurred background of rocks and leaves
Are you giving your dog plenty of exercise, but they still seem busy, struggle to settle, and are getting into things around the house?
As a trainer, I hear about this often, and most of my clients think more exercise is the solution. Physical activity is an important piece of meeting your dogs needs, but it is only one part of the puzzle! If your dog is receiving physical activity, appropriate for their breed and age, but still seems bored, they need more fulfillment in their life. This is where enrichment comes in, it’s a secret that will change your dog’s life, and in turn yours, for the better!
What is Enrichment and Why Does it Matter?
Enrichment is anything that allows your dog to use natural behaviors in healthy, productive ways. In other words, it includes activities that meet your dogs species and breed specific needs. These are often behaviors that don’t fit into our “human world”, but are incredibly important for a fulfilled, relaxed dog!
These needs include behaviors such as sniffing, chewing, exploring, foraging, chasing, shredding, problem solving, and making choices. When we give our dogs safe, structured opportunities to engage in these activities, we meet needs that basic exercise alone just can’t satisfy. Enrichment is the missing link!
Physical exercise is great for the body, but enrichment meets your dog’s innate needs and satisfies their brain. In conjunction with exercise, enrichment will leave your dog relaxed and satisfied, often helping to naturally improve behavior in the home. In fact, as a trainer, I include an enrichment plan as part of all of my clients training plans!
Signs Your Dog May Benefit from Enrichment
Many common "nuisance" behaviors are a product of unmet needs. Here are some signs your dog may benefit from enrichment activities along with a training plan:
They’re chewing inappropriate items in the home
They’re counter surfing or scavenging
They struggle to settle
They are frequently looking for something to do
They receive adequate sleep and exercise, but still seem bored
Adding Enrichment to Your Routine
Adding enrichment doesn’t need to be challenging, it just needs to be intentional and specific to your dog! By trying out different activities, you will learn your dog’s preferences and what brings them the most fulfillment.
Enrichment will look different for every dog, but some examples of what it might look like are:
Scent work games for food or a taught odor
Food puzzles or treat-dispensing toys
Snuffle mats or scatter feeding
Supervised shredding activities
Licking with a lickmat or frozen food toy
Chewing safe items, such as bully sticks or no-hides
Problem solving
Choice-based activities
A common misconception is that enrichment means constantly keeping your dog busy. In reality, proper enrichment should help your dog learn how to regulate themselves. When done properly, enrichment supports confidence building, emotional regulation, and relaxation.
Simple, At Home Enrichment to Start Today!
There are many wonderful enrichment items out there, but the good news is that you don’t need anything special to get started. Small changes can have huge impacts on your dog, especially while you learn what they enjoy!
Here are a few of my favorite At Home, DIY enrichment activities:
Scatter part of their meal in the yard or into their toy bin
Freeze their food in a bowl, lick mat, or kong type toy! Top with pumpkin, yogurt, or peanut butter for a special treat
Hide treats around the house for a scent work game. Start in one room and start easy, make it more challenging as they learn the game!
Teach a new trick, there are lots of great youtube videos online
Rotate their toys and bones, give them options but not so many that they are overwhelmed or bored!
Aim for one activity a day, consistency will maximize the benefits of enrichment!
Want an Enriched Dog When You Get Home? Join CSDT’s Enrichment Camp!
To help busy schedules and promote enriched dogs while maintaining training, CSDT has started an enrichment subscription program!
These visits are designed to:
Provide structured mental and physical exercise specific to your dog
Support calm behaviors at home
Meet your dog’s needs during your busy day
Maintain and complement existing training- not replace it!
Each session is tailored to the individual dog and may include things like a sniff walk, flirt pole time, scent games, and others — it focuses on activities that match their personality, energy level, and needs.
Why Add Enrichment?
Enrichment creates fulfillment. When dogs feel fulfilled, everything else becomes easier — learning, relaxing, and living calmly with their families. And that’s always the goal: not just better behavior, but a happier life with your dog.
Interested in Our Enrichment Sessions?
If your dog seems busy, restless, or hard to settle — enrichment might be the missing piece. Reach out to contact@centrestagedogtraining.com to learn more about enrichment sessions and how we can build a routine that supports both you and your dog’s real-life needs.