Dog enrichment ideas

Food and treats

1. snuffle mats- hide kibble or treats for your dog to sniff out. My favorite is to use a towel and roll it up (to make it more difficult tie that towel in a knot)
2. Kong or Toppl- stuff with yogurt, peanut butter, or a mix of kibble and pumpkin (freeze for a longer lasting treat)
3. Puzzle feeders- use muffin tins, cups, or boxes to hide food (put things over the treats like balls, toys, paper towel rolls, to add difficulty)
4. Scatter feeding- toss kibble around the yard or floor to encourage foraging and slow eating
5. Frozen lick blocks- mix broth, fruit, and treats into a bowl, freeze, and let your dog lick their way to the treats

Scent games

1. Hide and seek (treats or toys)- hide small snacks around the house or yard and encourage your dog to “find it”
2. Find the human- have your dog stay while you hide somewhere nearby, then call them to search for you
3. Scent trails- drag a treat or toy along the ground to create a scent path, and let the dog track it
4. Scent work kits- introduce simple scent detection training using essential oil kits made for dogs (like birch or clove)

Interactive play

1. Hide and seek with toys- hide your dogs favorite toy and encourage your dog to find it
2. Name that toy- teach your dog to identify and names of different toys
3. Indoor obstacle course- use chairs, blankets, boxes (anything to make your dog crawl, weave and balance!)

Training as enrichment

1. Trick training- teaching fun tricks like bow, spin, paw keeps your dog mentally sharp and boosts confidence!
2. Body awareness games – try target training, pivoting, stepping on different textures and walking over obstacles
3. Problem-solving tasks- present easy puzzles (picking objects or moving objects to get treats underneath)
4. Calm focus work- practice “place” “down” “settle” in new environments to build impulse control and to work on relaxing

Mental enrichment isn’t about keeping your dog busy, it’s about giving them a purpose.

At B+G dog training, I help owners and dogs build stronger communication through balanced, positive, and practical training methods. Whether your goal is to build more confidence, obedience training, or simply to have a better bond with your pup, we will work together to bring out the best in your dog. One step – and sniff- at a time!

Ready to get started? Reach out today to schedule a consultation and learn how personalized training and enrichment can transform your dogs day to day life- for the better!

comment below if you tried any of these enrichment ideas!