Fun & Games

For dogs settling into a new home, enrichment should be low pressure and calming.

• Scatter feeding

• Sniffing games

• Licki mats

• Gentle chewing activities

Keep sessions short and allow your dog to opt out at any time.

For some dogs, even gentle games can feel overwhelming at first. Dogs who remain in their crate, avoid movement, or only come out when no one is present are not being stubborn, they are coping the only way they know how.

At this stage, enrichment should never require the dog to move toward people, new objects, or open spaces.

Scatter Feeding at a Distance

Food can be scattered just outside the crate, or gently rolled past the crate opening so the dog can decide whether to engage.

This allows:

• Nose-led exploration

• Choice without pressure

• Confidence building without interaction

Even watching food land nearby can be enrichment.

Familiar Smells

Scent is incredibly powerful for nervous dogs.

• Bedding that smells like the dog

• A worn item of clothing placed near (not inside) the crate

• Consistent smells in their space
  
  

Familiar scents help regulate stress and build a sense of safety.

Mental work can be just as tiring and often more settling than physical exercise.

High-energy dogs benefit from enrichment that gives them a job to do and helps channel their energy in positive ways. Structured games are often more effective than simply adding more physical activity.

Helpful activities include:

• Puzzle feeders

• Training games that encourage focus and thinking

• Scent trails and nose-work games

• Tug with clear start and finish cues, regular breaks, and calm handling

Always balance energetic activities with calming enrichment afterwards, such as sniffing, licking, or chewing, to help your dog return to a relaxed state.

When walks are limited whether due to recovery, age, or medical needs enrichment becomes especially important for your dog’s wellbeing.

Gentle mental stimulation helps meet your dog’s needs without putting strain on their body. Activities should be calm, low-impact, and easy to pause or adapt depending on how your dog is feeling.

Helpful activities include:

• Food puzzles that encourage slow problem-solving

• Sniffing games around the house to support calm engagement

• Chewing and licking activities for relaxation and self-soothing

• Simple trick training that focuses on thinking rather than movement

Short sessions spread throughout the day work best, allowing your dog to stay engaged without becoming tired or uncomfortable.

Always follow your vet’s advice during recovery and adjust activities to suit your dog’s individual needs and comfort level.

Puppy enrichment should be safe, simple, and focused on building confidence rather than excitement.

Early enrichment helps puppies learn about the world in a positive way and supports healthy brain development. Activities should be short, gentle, and always age-appropriate.

Helpful activities include:

• Texture exploration (walking on different safe surfaces like grass, mats, or cardboard)

• Food searches and scatter feeding to encourage calm sniffing

• Gentle problem-solving games with easy wins

• Short training games that focus on basic skills and engagement
  
  

Always supervise puppy enrichment, keep difficulty low, and stop before your puppy becomes tired or overstimulated. Rest and sleep are just as important as play at this stage.

Older dogs still benefit greatly from enrichment just at a slower, gentler pace.

Enrichment for senior dogs helps keep minds active, supports emotional wellbeing, and can be adapted to suit mobility, hearing, or vision changes. Activities should be comfortable, low-impact, and easy to pause.

Helpful activities include:

• Sniffing games that encourage gentle exploration

• Soft chews appropriate for ageing teeth

• Licki mats for calming, low-effort engagement

• Easy puzzle toys with minimal physical demand

Always let your dog set the pace and prioritise comfort over challenge. Short, enjoyable sessions are more beneficial than longer or more demanding activities.

Watch for signs of fatigue or discomfort, and adjust enrichment to suit your dog’s changing needs.