Our dogs are all unique, so different types of enrichment will be more or less reinforcing to each dog. Certain breeds have been selectively bred to enhance different elements in their genetic make up, so for example, Cocker Spaniels are used a lot in gun dog training and have been selectively breed to enhance the skills needed to hunt. 

Researching your dog's breed can help you get an idea of types of enrichment they may find more reinforcing than other, but there are always exceptions to that rule of course!

Some simple and easy enrichment ideas to get you started: 

1. Experiment with different types of toys and ways of interacting with your dog, e.g. do they love ragging a tuggy toy, or do they enjoy sniffing out treats in the grass, they may love learning new skills or acting out chasing and hunting with a flirt pole! Not only will this help you learn what your dog really enjoys doing, but you will both have fun at the same time! 

2. Take your dog on a sniffy walk! Let them spend as much time of their walk sniffing and exploring as they would like! Allowing dogs time to process the scents in their environment can be a great way for them to work their brain and decompress!

3. Try out different ways of offering your dog their daily food allowance, you could try a treat dispenser, snuffle mat, Kong, licki mat, hiding it in a cardboard box with lots of scrunched up paper and toilet roll tubes etc. the options are endless! Getting your dog's to work a little for their food can make it more interesting and more rewarding when they get it, meaning it can become higher value to them. This can be helpful for those picky eaters! 

Safety always has to come first and if your dog show's any signs of resource guarding their food or high value objects, get in touch and we can discuss this in more detail before trying anything.