Welcome to 'Unleashing Canine CounterStories: Exploring Humane Education with Dr. Lori'. I am your guide as we navigate the fascinating world of human/canine relationships. To put it bluntly, it's complicated. But I'm here to help hash it all out!
In this series, we'll examine our interactions with our canine companions and discover ways to build stronger, more empathic connections by considering your dog's perspective along with your own. This is known as Canine CounterStories - taking a broader look into how something that has 'always been' may have actually had another angle to look at all along.
Today we'll focus on how to create a well-rounded environment to meet your dog's needs and help them live their best doggy life. Not just putting food in a bowl and a roof over a head, REALLY meeting the needs. Ticking all the boxes. Making your pup feel all the feels. In a word, ENRICHMENT.
So what exactly is enrichment? Here is the official definition: 'the action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something'. In this case, it will improve or enhance the quality of someONE. i.e. Your furry best friend!
So let's dive in. To fully understand enrichment and all that it entails, know that it is not just one thing. It is a mix of experiences that allows your dog to live with as much authenticity as possible. Helping dogs be dogs. I present to you Enrichment 101- through the five W's (and an H):
WHO - Enrichment is good for everyone! What lights your pup up? What lights you up? Let's figure out how to DO MORE of those things! Bonus points if you find something you both enjoy together as a 2-for-1 (jogging, listening to music, eating frozen bananas, etc).
WHAT- Enrichment is literally anything that can spark joy from the activity. Sometimes you want to get pumped up (dog park romps, backyard sprinklers) and other times you want to wind on down (dim the lights, watch a movie together, cuddle up in a blanket cave).
WHEN- you can create enrichment at any time at all. There are no rules. It doesn't even have to be scheduled. Just seamlessly woven into daily life.
WHERE- Enrichment doesn't need a special place. It can bloom anywhere. Think of it not as an add-on, but as a must-have. What must we do to give this pup the best life ever?
WHY- because your dog deserves more than just existing. They are a full emotional being. You know how you can tell when someone is happy, sad, bored etc? Your dog can also feel all these things! We are the humans who signed up to take care of them. We steer the ship. Let's give them real, concrete lived experiences to look forward to.
Oh wow, those were some pretty vague explanations. So far, I highlighted enrichment as being 'anything, at any time, anywhere for everyone'. Not exactly a concise road map. I am going to need to provide more direction than that...
Hopefully this last part, I like to call it the 'fun part', will point you in the right direction...
HOW- not a one size fits all. and not an 'always and never'. (There I go being vague again). Enrichment can change based on your dog's preferences at that moment in time. What they might like as a puppy may change as they age. And what they may like to do when they are at the lake might change later in the exact same day when they are tired.
Here is a tiny fraction of some canine enrichment examples:
their own personal doggy enrichment swag bag:
- Chew toys
- Squeaky toys
- Snuffle mats
- Balls of various sizes
- Warming and/or cooling mats
- Treat puzzles
- Heartbeat toys
- Soft bedding
- And of course, delicious snacks!
Enriching activities and experiences (priceless):
- Leash (or stroller/wagon) walks
- Pack walks with other dog folks
- Dog parks
- Hiking
- Swimming holes
- Empty basketball courts
- Kayaking
- Dog-friendly cafes
- A picnic
- Frisbee
- Sunbathing
- A car ride
DIY enrichment projects:
- Muffin Tin: fill with tennis balls, hide snacks underneath.
- Tubes of Joy: take paper towel tubes and toilet paper tubes, stuff with yummy things and fold down the ends. Toss around your house or yard
- Treat Towel: Take an old washcloth or towel you are willing to allow to be shredded and lay flat. Scatter treats inside and roll up semi-tightly.
- Ice Blocks: Fill oversized ice cube trays with water and various snacks. Freeze.
- Shoebox Maze: cut holes of various sizes into the top of a shoebox. fill with crumbled paper and treats
- Cake Pops: fill cake pop molds with food and snacks, half a baby carrot (long ways) sticking out as your cake pop 'handle'. Freeze.
- Spin the Bottle: take an old water bottle, cap off...and fill with some bite sized treats (small enough to fit through the opening). Dogs love the bottle's crinkle-crunch sound and the jackpot that comes flying out when they figure it out!
- Sniff Marks the Spot: Grab some deer scent drops from your local sporting goods store and place a few drops in the middle of a washcloth. Rub back and forth and stick inside a large plastic cup for your dog to enjoy.
- Frozen 'sticks': steam a carrot 'stick', celery 'stick', or whole cucumber cut in half long ways. Freeze, then toss in the yard for edible stick fun.
Let's face it, all of us have a little adventurer in us, as well as a little couch potato. We can like a little of all of it and so can your dog. So try not to just pick one thing and saturate your dog with it. Have a variety of enrichment go-to's for balance and overall wellness.
Also, try not to leave them lying around, where they lose their appeal and become part of the home decor and scenery. It's much more fun and exciting when they are offered and presented as a new surprise.
I encourage you to tune in and discover more of your dog's favorite things from this list to incorporate into their doggy routine, or come up with some of your own. It would be providing them with the greatest of gifts, something profound in the way of life hacks that encourage species-specific identity. Perhaps offer multiple options simultaneously, which also gives the gift of choice. We dictate so much for these guys; let them choose what they prefer in that moment for an added layer of authentic freedom.
Witnessing the joy these enriching activities can bring to your dog's whole self brings with it the fondest of memories -for both of you. I know if they could speak Human, they would thank you, and if you had a tail, you would wag it.
May their enriching glow-up begin!
