Stimulating Dog Games
Pet Pals LLC • January 29, 2019
Pet Pals Enrichment Series - work for food.
Enriching an animal's environment to improve their physical and/or psychological health can be just as creatively stimulating for you or your family members! No need to go to the store. No need to spend a lot of money...or any money. Recycled materials from around the house are often great building blocks for enrichment activities.
In these videos, Pet Pals repurposed a rug and recycled pieces of cardboard for fun new and stimulating games. Pet Pal Kadian gets to use her nose to dig out treats in two very different ways. Doing this expands energy, builds confidence, gets her brain active, and gives her a little treat all at the same time. In addition, creating your own enrichment allows for more variation and customized activities that are best for your dog.
Not just for staying inside on a cold day, creating enrichment activities is a great project for kids. It can be simple or complex. It can challenge you as much as your pet kid as you look around your house, start to see "trash" in new and creative ways, and view the world as enrichment opportunities; not just what they shouldn't do.
Remember, start simple and build complexity at an appropriate pace for your pet kid(s).
Check out Pet Pal Kadian enjoying the repurposed enrichment actives in the videos posted below!
Video One - Was made out of empty tissue box and 2 toilet paper rolls. You could also use a paper towel roll cut in half. The toilet paper rolls were used to create difficulty. If your pup or cat is new to enrichment, then you could omit the toilet paper rolls and introduce them in once they have the hang of it! As you can see in the beginning of the video, treats were set on top to help entice the start of the activity. Food was placed inside the toilet paper rolls and Pet Pal Kadian had to figure out how to get them out!! A blanket was used to help the box from scooting all over on the floor. Keep in mind, if the blanket was not there this would increase the difficulty level. So many options! So FUN and such a great bonding experience.
Video Two - what was used? A floor rug with a non slip back. Start rolling the rug and place treats throughout. The more you add, the easier the activity. Less treats equals more challenging. You can use a bath towel, hand towel, throw blanket, get creative!!! As you seen in the first video a blanket was used to help the box from scooting all over on the floor and you can do the same here if using something that doesn't have a non slip back. Alternatively, leave it as is and up the difficultly.
