Enrichment: Fuel For The Soul

Let’s be honest folks, life would be pretty dull if we didn’t have interests beyond eating, sleeping and breathing…if we just existed with no engagement in our lives except to survive another day, we’d all be miserable. We need hobbies – and so do our canine companions! This is the simplest way of understanding just what enrichment for dogs actually is; just as we break up our day with a favourite film, a few chapters of a book, or cooking a new recipe, dogs need to break up their day with a good sniff, a new puzzle, or even a favourite game! These activities, which many dog owners can easily overlook, are essential in alleviating your pup’s boredom – especially when they’re at home! And just like us…consistent, daily boredom can lead to deeper and long-lasting mental health issues such as depression and anxiety for your dog! What’s crazy is that many people don’t think these issues can affect dogs! Just because they can’t speak or cry, doesn’t mean they can’t feel these overwhelming sensations…and when they do experience them? They act out. Typical behaviours of a bored or unenriched dog are:

- Constant pawing and petting at their owners! They are literally so under stimulated that they are reaching for you to engage them in something…anything! This will often include whining and come across as disruptive, leading many owners to wrongly assume that ‘they’re just like that’.

- Excessive and increasingly intense barking! Bored dogs are stressed dogs and need a way to release pent up frustration. Barking is often the most direct way for them to channel that energy, directed at real and imagined changes in their environment like a curtain blowing in the wind or a creak from a pipe. Many owners laugh this off as ‘aw she’s just talkative!’ No, she’s not. She’s lacking enrichment.

- Daily destruction! A dog that is bored, is a dog that is stressed. A dog that is stressed is a dog that is frustrated. And a dog that is frustrated, will destroy your stuff. It’s, again, a release of built up energy and tension…and it will destroy your favourite shoes, rip your comfy couch, and even tear up that new rug you saved up for! Very rarely are dogs ‘just destructive by nature’ – they’re just screaming out for some stimulation!

All of these examples (and the many others I haven’t mentioned) are frequently cited as major behavioural issues that dog owners have with their pets…and why many of these owners place dogs in shelters or seek the intervention of ‘dog disciplinarians’. The thinking being ‘my dog is misbehaving and so needs to be punished by a strong authority figure.’ - an idea popularised by charismatic TV personalities who make disciplining dogs their entire business model - it’s not discipline, it’s just abuse. Your dog doesn’t need discipline! Your dog needs to be understood! Your dog needs to be enriched and given a hobby or two. Your pup needs to feel important, engaged with, and listened to if you really want them to live a happy, fulfilling life. Fuel them properly, and their wee souls will soar…and you’ll rest easy knowing you’ve given your canine companion just what a dog wants!

Which is exactly What Dogs Want can do for you! Any issues of boredom with your dog? We can help! WDW offers in-person enrichment and behaviour consultations onsite for those local to us! For those of you further afield, we offer virtual enrichment and virtual consultations! No matter where you are - we will bring our expertise to you!  

Written by C.W. Swan

 Sources

https://humanecolorado.org/resources/canine-enrichment

Dog Enrichment: What It Is, Benefits, and Activity Ideas | PetSuites

Bored Dogs: How to Recognize and Solve Doggy Boredom

American Kennel Club