Enrichment Top Tips
Thank you for your interest in All About Enrichment, where we provide enriching experiences for dogs and their guardians!
Here is some important information about canine enrichment and the use of our enrichment toys:
Safety First!
Always supervise your dog during enrichment activities to ensure their safety. No enrichment item is indestructible, including those sold by All About Enrichment.
Monitor your dog while they engage with toys or activities, and remove items when they are no longer in use.
Make sure items are appropriately sized for your dog and do not pose any choking hazards. If the item becomes damaged, remove it from your dog.
Observe and Adapt
Pay attention to your dog’s reactions. Are they enjoying the activity, or do they seem frustrated or confused? Consider their health, abilities, and dietary needs to ensure they can safely and appropriately engage. Simplify activities if needed to set your dog up for success. Give them choice – offer the opportunity to engage as they see fit!
For first-time activities, make it as easy as possible to create a positive experience. For example, place treats around and on top of a snuffle mat rather than burying them, loosely tie the shredding ball, or partially expose the creatures from the burrow tree stump toy. To extend the activity, refill a few times rather than making it more difficult.
Not All About Food
When using food for enrichment, try to use your dog’s regular diet. For instance, place kibble in the snuffle mat or use raw food on lick mats. If using treats, consider reducing your dog’s food at their next meal, or you could use their food to make homemade treats!
To extend engagement, you can refill toys, and remember that you don’t need to use a lot of food for your dog to enjoy an enrichment toy – or even any food at all!
There are loads of enrichment options that don’t involve food, such as playing tug, going on a sniffari, burrow toys, chews like coffeewood or even just sitting down on a bench in a park together and watching the world go by!
Keep It Clean!
All handcrafted fleece toys (including snuffle mats) can be washed at a low temperature (max 30°C) if placed inside a pillowcase or guppybag.
Do not tumble dry; instead, dry flat over a radiator or clothes horse.
Further Resources
YouTube
We have published lots of content to our YouTube channel – this includes products we use and love, as well as loads of ideas for free enrichment toys you can make and fun activities you can try out with your dog. Share your own favourite activities with us, we’d love to hear from you!
Blogs & Articles
We regularly share content on our blogs at All About Enrichment. Dive into our articles for inspiration and practical tips here, and don’t forget to share your own favorite activities with us.
Keep an eye out for new posts and updates from Rosie.
For personalized advice and recommendations, contact Rosie at All About Enrichment.