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Enrichment is a popular word used in the world of puppy raising and training. The actual definition of enrichment is, “The action of improving or enhancing the quality or value of something.” What comes to mind for a lot of people is, “How do I keep my puppy busy? Or, “Enrichment is how I can tire out my puppy!” While yes, all this happens with Enrichment, it is not the main reason. Let’s take a closer look.
Enrichment can enhance and improve the quality of life for your puppy. Let's face it, puppies are always changing as they grow. They constantly throw us for a loop with their changing needs, learning new things (good and bad!), and the developmental stages their brain goes through. With puppies, I use enrichment in a very different way than you may have considered. I use enrichment as a way to keep up with their changes in needs and development in their first year. We can take advantage of enrichment as a way to give them quality socialization. So let's dive into ways you can enrich your puppy's life and improve their socialization while they’re still young.
4 Puppy Enrichment Activities for a Calm & Well Adjusted Pup
Sniffing
One way I love to enrich and socialize puppies is by teaching them to explore their world by sniffing. Sniffing is a great way to not only allow your puppy to check things out on their own. It also is a way for your puppy to take in information and evaluate it at their pace. It allows them to slow down and process what they are sniffing. It is so important to allow your puppies to take their time to evaluate their world. We ask so much of them as they live in this fast-paced crazy human world, we need to provide the time to work at their pace. Sniffing also allows them the opportunity to de-stress, slow down, and be present. One way I start to teach this is by doing plenty of sniff games in lots of different places. I take a handful of treats or their kibble and I scatter it in a small spot. Make sure they will be successful as they smell around with their nose in the ground to get the yummy goodness! I do this in my house, in their crate, in the yard, and in public places when we go out. This allows the puppy the opportunity to slow down and engage what nature gave them to evaluate and decompress.
Allowing puppies to sniff increases their problem-solving skills, increases their ability to calm themselves, and improves their self-confidence.
Sightseeing
It is so important for puppies to learn about their world. We want to take them out places, meet new people, other dogs, etc. While it is so important for them to experience new things with us, it is also important to enrich them with the idea of just hanging out and watching the world go by. Let them see what is happening in the world we live in, and give them that chance to evaluate and process that in a calm state. Starting by just hanging out in the car, on the quiet side of a parking lot is a great start. Or maybe taking them out front in your yard and just watching things from your steps. Just taking in the world and processing calm decisions in that world is so good for their brains. I know it can feel like we have such a short time to socialize them and give them all the things. You can easily meet their needs and enrich their lives by allowing them to watch the world go by.
Allowing puppies to calmly watch the world go by will lead to increased impulse control, reduced sensitivity to new things and changes in their environment, and increased positive associations with the world.
Exposure Obstacle Course
Put out 5 things you have around your house that your puppy is not familiar with. You can try a tarp laid flat to walk across to get them used to a different surface and sound, an umbrella popped open for them to look at and see something that moves around when they touch it. You could also try a sturdy stepping stool to do paws up with to learn to step up on things, a hula hoop to step through, a ladder to walk over and learn to place feet in places. These are just some fun things you can do to make a fun exposure obstacle course right in your yard or house. It is so important to show your puppy to engage with items they may see in our world. It enriches their brains in many ways, from needing to think, sniffing new things, and processing how to work through the obstacles.
By setting up an obstacle course for your puppy you’ll be increasing their confidence, adaptability, and improved coordination which reduces fearfulness or anxiety as they grow.
Licking
Now the last and one of my favorite enrichment ideas for puppies is lick mats, stuffed kongs or Pupsicles, or even frozen treat ice cubes. When you have finished an activity with your puppy, it is always a good idea to give them an easy activity they can decompress with. I try to have some stuffed toys on hand, full and ready to go. This allows them to settle and calmly work at something that won't take a ton of brain power to do.
Licking leads to a more calm and relaxed puppy. Regularly incorporating licking toys will help strengthen your puppy's focus and ability to settle down after stimulation.
The big takeaway I want you to see is whatever activity or socialization outing you do with your puppy, be sure that you do it calmly. Provide calm and low-stress enriching situations as your puppy matures. Puppies are already programmed with loads of energy and excitement. It's our job to help them to see things, process them, and remain calm. The tips above are all great ways to teach your dog to use their brains calmly, giving them the ability to learn to enjoy enrichment calmly, and allowing some very easy relationship building between you and your pup. Which activity will you choose to try today with your puppy?
If you’re looking for a coach to help you as your puppy matures I’d love to work with you! You can learn more about me and book a training session for your puppy here, Work with Megan Arey.
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