A Doggone Good Time: Dog Enrichment
Bubbles waft over the kennels, popping as dogs excitedly snap at them. A German Shepherd mix joyfully tears apart a pizza box as another dog chomps on ice cubes filled with frozen pet food. Overhead, a gentle voice narrates passages from Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast.
How does enrichment work, and what does it include?
Dog enrichment in the shelter is about providing novel experiences and making shelter stays more enjoyable and less stressful for animals. Happier, more relaxed dogs can better show off their true personalities when potential adopters come to visit—which also means they’re likely to be adopted quicker.
What does dog enrichment look like, then? It can be as simple as a rotating out toys daily or as complex as learning new tricks or going on regular adventures outside the shelter. Audiobooks with a soothing narrator or classical music can help relax dogs during quiet time, while puzzle feeders or training sessions provide important mental stimulation. Play groups with other dogs or additional exercise opportunities burn extra energy and keep pups in shape. But the most important element of enrichment is learning the individual tastes and quirks of each dog.
Take Bruce, for example (pictured with a pizza box above). When we first started providing him with enrichment, we tried a few different things—and our first choice was not right for Bruce. We tossed him a few clam treats that had been donated to us, but Bruce wasn’t a fan; instead of having a tasty snack, he barked at the treats until we swept them out of his kennel. (Maybe they smelled too strange for him!) A used pizza box to tear up, however, was much more up his alley. Once he finished that important task, he curled up for a quick nap.
Our Commitment to Enrichment
Homeward Pet greatly values enrichment and the benefits it brings to shelter dogs, especially those who stay with us a bit longer. Our team of hardworking volunteers and staff works each day to provide enrichment opportunities and activities for each dog currently in our shelter, recording each dog’s individual preferences. No one is going to try giving Bruce clam treats again!
We’re so grateful that we have the time and resources to make our animals’ time at Homeward Pet as comfortable as possible. Much thanks to the dedicated volunteers, donors, and staff who make this a priority each day!
Enrichment doesn’t stop at just dogs, either. Stay tuned for more information about our Cat Enrichment Team in the coming weeks, too!
As a thank you for reading, enjoy this video of Giovanni, a big fan of bubble enrichment!
