5 Types of Dog Enrichment & Their Benefits

Regular enrichment is essential for a healthy, happy dog. Studies have shown that dog enrichment can reduce stress, prevent boredom, and lessen unwanted behaviors by providing both physical and mental stimulation.

These kinds of interactive activities fill a void for dogs left alone at home throughout the day, and for dogs confined to kennels in stressful environments like animal shelters.

Dog enrichment isn’t limited to puzzle toys, a peanut butter-filled Kong, or a trip to the dog park, though. There are five types of dog enrichment that work separately and together to improve behavioral health and overall quality of life: 

1. Social 
2. Nutritional 
3. Occupational
4. Sensory
5. Physical

Learn how dog owners can incorporate each type of enrichment into your dog’s life and how it can ensure the wellbeing of your furry friend.

Social Enrichment

Dog parents have most likely heard that socialization is one of the most important practices you must do with new puppies. Social enrichment includes contact with other species like adult humans, cats, children, objects, as well as other dogs. It exposes dogs to new people, places, and situations where they can learn and grow. 

Well-socialized dogs are less likely to become fearful, aggressive, or overstimulated later in life when exposed to these things.

Social enrichment activities can include:

• Supervised playgroups
• Daily walks 
• A visit to a dog-friendly brewery, bar, pub, or cafe
• A trip to the pet shop
• Going to the park or beach
• Taking a jog/going on a run

Any activity that exposes your dog to other dogs, individuals, and groups of people in different environments qualifies as social enrichment. 

Nutritional Enrichment

Nutritional enrichment requires your dog to use its natural scavenging and foraging instincts to seek out and earn tasty rewards. A dog can practice nutritional enrichment through puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and ‘sniffaris’. 

Puzzle toys in particular combine the reward of food with physical and mental stimulation, helping to decrease unwanted behavior by acting on the dog’s natural instincts. According to Ohio State University’s Veterinary Medical Center, “Studies have shown that puzzle toys increase exercise and reduce barking.” 

Nutritional/food-based enrichment activities include:

• Dog puzzles
• Snuffle mats
• Hide treats around the house
• Sprinkle kibble in a rolled-up towel, toiet paper roll, or cardboard boxes
• Putting treats in a muffin tin covered by tennis balls
• Stuffable dog toys/treat-dispensing toys
• Serve dog food out of a slow feeder at mealtime

If your dog isn’t highly food-motivated, use extra-high-value treats your dog won’t be able to resist. You could try human food like peanut butter (without xylitol), plain chicken breast, or cheddar cheese. The stinkier, the better.

Occupational Enrichment

Occupational enrichment gives dogs a “job” to do, which is especially important for working breeds like herding dogs. Researchers at Purdue University explain that occupational enrichment “… helps keep dogs mentally stimulated, which combats boredom while also allowing them to release excess energy.”

Occupational enrichment activities include:

• Dog sports and agility
• Puzzle toys that make them work for food
• Dog training
• Playing fetch
• An outdoor dig pit

Job-related enrichment makes your pup use cognitive thinking and problem-solving skills in order to accomplish a task.

Sensory Canine Enrichment

Sight, sound — and especially smell — play a large part in canine enrichment. Stimulating your dog’s senses can be very beneficial for anxious or stressed dogs. 

Sensory dog enrichment includes:

• Looking out the window
• People watching
• Playing soothing music 
• Calming scents
• Nosework/scent games with dog treats
• Food puzzles
• Hide and seek
• Chew toys

A dog’s sense of smell is crazy powerful. Scents like ginger, coconut, valerian, and vanilla were found to have a calming effect on shelter dogs in one study. Researchers Dr. Tamara Montrose and John Binks exposed dogs to cloths scented with ginger, coconut, vanilla, and valerian. The dogs exposed to these cloths became less anxious, barked less, and slept more.

Physical Enrichment

Last but not least: play! Playing fetch, a game of tug of war, and having a consistent rotation of interesting dog toys will provide your doggy with the physical stimulation it needs.

Combining mental with physical exercise your dog loves each day provides a positive way to reduce destructive behavior or stress. Take your dog on a hiking trail, toss a ball on the beach, or just snuggle up on the couch with a soft blanket.

Dog Enrichment Ideas

Enrichment activities and brain games can help your dog build confidence and keep your dog entertained. Try out the above activities to learn what your dog enjoys most. 

Next, we’ve provided which toys, puzzles, and other pet products that can provide each type of enrichment for your dog. You can also get some ideas from our blog post on DIY enrichment solutions, The Best Dog Enrichment Toys & DIY Solutions for a Well-Behaved Pup.

Items for Social Enrichment

Add some occupational enrichment in the mix with a dog pack Fido can wear during social outings.

Dog Toys for Sensory Enrichment

The Planet Ball is mint-scented!

Dog Toys for Occupational Enrichment

Something to fetch, dodge, and forage.

Physical Enrichment: Calming Dog Beds, Agility Courses, and Active Dog Toys

Whether your dog needs a safe space to rest or room to play, these items should do the trick.

Flirt poles are the cream of the crop when it comes to physical enrichment and working that prey drive.

Nutritional Enrichment Games: Puzzles, Slow Feeders, Treat Stuffers, & Dog Treats

The following mental enrichment items make your dog work for a reward using its natural foraging instincts.

You’ll need some tasty treats, too!