Enrichment is a word that’s used quite often when talking about ways to engage with your dog but what does it really mean and why is it so important?
Enrichment activities will channel your dog’s natural behaviours in a way that can be encouraged and celebrated. It’s vital for a dog’s welfare that they are encouraged to be, well, DOGS! It provides both mental and physical stimulation and one of the reasons it’s discussed as part of training and behaviour modification plans is because it’s a means of reducing boredom, which can often lead to behaviours that humans consider undesirable. Would you rather your dog gets their chewing fun through a massive Kong* filled with nutritious and delicious food, or by dismantling your sofa?
Walkies, while vital for your dog’s wellbeing isn’t enough. A slow-feeder, while probably a good thing for your dog, isn’t enough. One training session, while fabulous, isn’t enough for their mental wellbeing.
Enrichment is something that needs to be considered each and every day. It’s not an ‘added extra’ when you share your life with a dog; it underpins their mental and physical health needs. If you don’t provide things to enrich their lives, they’ll find their own entertainment or coping mechanisms and we can almost guarantee you won’t like what they come up with.
Getting to know your dog, taking into account their breed or breed mix and learning about their favourite things to do will help you choose the best ways to keep them occupied and entertained.
Some dogs would rather de-stuff a toy than chew a bone. Some dogs need a few different toys and other dogs have a favourite. Some dogs love relaxing with a food toy and other dogs will enjoy a scent games around the garden before snoozing.
Most of the so-called ‘problem’ behaviours that are displayed by dogs and cause headaches for humans are actually perfectly normal dog behaviours that need an outlet, or they’re providing an outlet for a bored dog. My dog barks at everything. My dog keeps digging in the garden. My dog chews my favourite things. Dogs need to bark, dig and chew; it’s your job to provide a fun and interactive way for them to do what they need to do.
- Health – Protection from pain, injury, suffering and disease and treated if they become ill or injured.
- Behaviour – the ability to behave naturally for their species, for example, play, run, dig, jump, etc.
- Companionship – to be housed with, or apart from, other animals as appropriate for the species.
- Diet – a suitable diet. This can include feeding appropriately for the pet’s life stage and feeding a suitable amount to prevent obesity or malnourishment, as well as access to fresh clean water.
- Environment – a suitable environment. This should include the right type of home with a comfortable place to rest and hide as well as space to exercise and explore.
Choices as enrichment
Here’s an example of enabling your dog to make choices to support their enrichment. Think for a moment about the choices you make for your dog.
It’s likely that you choose:
- When they eat
- When the go out to ‘empty’ themselves
- When they exercise
- Where they exercise
- When they meet their friends
- When they interact with you
- When they play
- Where they go
- Where they sleep
Shouldn't they have some autonomy?
How would you feel if you woke up one morning, you had no idea what was going to happen throughout the day but as the day unfolded you were told when you could use the bathroom, a plate of food was dropped in front of you and you had no idea when or if the next meal would appear, you were taken outside, dragged off in one direction and told to ‘come on’ if you dared to slow down, saw your friend across the road but were told there was no time to chat and then shut in one room where you were told to sleep.
We know that you’re someone who does your best for your dog. You wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t! However, think about your dog’s average day from their perspective.
A lack of choice reduces the opportunity for your dog to avoid or relieve stress. That, in turn, can lead to dogs shutting down or losing interest in day to day activities. It can also lead to frustration and possible reactivity.
A dog that is empowered to make choices will be happier and more confident. It’s not just a great shift for your dog, but it will also help you get to know your dog. They don’t have to be micro-managed, they can make decisions and we can respect those decisions, which will bring you both a much stronger relationship.
Here are some ideas of ways you can improve your dog’s quality of life through choices:
Does your dog have the same food day in, day out? Do they get a variety of food, different tastes and textures, new treats and options rather than everything mixed in together? Do they try different fruits and vegetables (ones that are safe; of course), do they get an occasional raw egg and have to figure out how to eat it?! Food is such an important part of our dog’s life that some choice and adventure has to be encouraged.
When was the last time your dog chose the direction you took and the pace you walked at? It’s not always practical when you’re rushing to get to work and have a set time for walkies, but what about your longer adventures, your weekends or your days off? Let your dog, literally, lead the way. If they choose to take a route you’ve never been on, you’ll see the world from their perspective for a little while. They won’t care if it’s a dead-end if they’ve followed a great scent, they won’t care that they have spent ten minutes investigating every inch of the lamp post, they won’t care if they have gone up and down the same street three times, it’s their walk, they can choose. Your job is to keep yourselves safe and enjoy the adventure.
Does your dog have a choice about where they can sleep? Is there somewhere quiet, somewhere on a raised bed (or sofa!), somewhere they can hide away, somewhere cool and somewhere warm? It’s much easier for a dog to relax and sleep soundly when they feel safe and comfortable.
Toys & Games
Does your dog have a choice of toys and games that they can interact with? Are they encouraged to choose a toy to bring to you so that you can play together? Are their choices respected if they bring a toy when you’re watching TV or reading a book? There is, of course, a practical element to this and you need to have cues in place to ask your dog to do something else if needs be but also putting their invitation to play ahead of your favourite soap is important.
Does your dog live an isolated existence, rarely getting the opportunity to meet other dogs? We’re talking about dogs who want to hang out with other dogs; we know that some have their own ideas about who they would/wouldn’t like to hang out with. Do you have a friend with a dog who you could go walkies with? Is there a reputable doggy daycare near you? Is there an organised group walk or training club near you? Giving your dog the opportunity to be around other dogs who also want to hang out is important.
While we’re on the subject of interaction, do you also respect your dog’s choices to leave a situation they’re not comfortable in? If they’re being fussed by someone and they’re showing you they’re not happy, do you speak up on their behalf? If they’re not comfortable around other dogs or around people, are you helping them with this and keeping them safe in the meantime? If your dog is uncomfortable in certain environments are you respecting their choice to leave, or not go in the first place?
Written by Marie Yates, Director of Canine Perspective CIC. Marie was a finalist in Purina’s 2018 #BetterWithPets prize and you can find out more about her social enterprise here: https://canine-perspective.com/
"Kujenga ni neno ambalo hutumiwa mara nyingi wakati wa kuzungumza juu ya njia za kushirikiana na mbwa wako, lakini ni nini maana yake halisi na kwa nini ni muhimu sana?""" Shughuli za utajiri zitaelekeza tabia za asili za mbwa wako kwa njia ambayo inaweza kuhamasishwa na kusherehekewa. Ni muhimu kwa ustawi wa mbwa kwamba wao ni kuhamasishwa kuwa, vizuri, Mbwa! Inatoa uchochezi wa akili na kimwili na moja ya sababu ni kujadiliwa kama sehemu ya mafunzo na mipango ya marekebisho ya tabia ni kwa sababu ni njia ya kupunguza uchovu, ambayo mara nyingi inaweza kusababisha tabia ambayo wanadamu kuzingatia undesirable. Je, ungependa mbwa wako apate furaha ya kutafuna kupitia Kong kubwa iliyojaa chakula chenye lishe na kitamu, au kwa kuondoa sofa yako? Walkies, wakati muhimu kwa ajili ya mbwa wako's ustawi si kutosha. Chakula cha polepole, ingawa huenda kikawa jambo zuri kwa mbwa wako, hakitoshi. Mkutano mmoja wa mafunzo, ingawa ni mzuri sana, hautoshi kwa ustawi wao wa kiakili. Utajiri ni kitu ambacho kinahitaji kuzingatiwa kila siku. Si "ya ziada" wakati unashiriki maisha yako na mbwa; inategemeza mahitaji yao ya afya ya akili na kimwili. Kama wewe si kutoa mambo ya kutajirisha maisha yao, wao kupata burudani yao wenyewe au coping taratibu na tunaweza karibu kuhakikisha wewe si kama nini wao kuja na. Kujua mbwa wako, kuzingatia uzazi wao au mchanganyiko wa uzazi, na kujifunza juu ya mambo yao ya kupenda kufanya, itakusaidia kuchagua njia bora za kuwafanya wafanye kazi na kufurahisha. Mbwa fulani hupendelea kuondoa vitu vya kuchezea kuliko kutafuna mfupa. Mbwa fulani huhitaji vitu vichache vya kuchezea tofauti-tofauti na mbwa mwingine ana kitu anachokipenda. Mbwa wengine hupenda kupumzika na vitu vya kuchezea vya chakula na mbwa wengine watafurahia michezo ya harufu kuzunguka bustani kabla ya kulala. Mengi ya tabia zinazojulikana kama "tatizo" ambazo zinaonyeshwa na mbwa na kusababisha maumivu ya kichwa kwa wanadamu kwa kweli ni tabia za kawaida za mbwa ambazo zinahitaji njia ya kutolewa, au zinatoa njia ya kutolewa kwa mbwa aliyechoshwa. Mbwa wangu hunyenyesha kila kitu. Mbwa wangu anaendelea kuchimba katika bustani. Mbwa wangu hula vitu ninavyopenda zaidi. Mbwa wanahitaji kupiga kelele, kuchimba na kutafuna; ni kazi yako kutoa njia ya kufurahisha na ya maingiliano kwa ajili yao kufanya kile wanachohitaji kufanya. - Afya <unk> Ulinzi dhidi ya maumivu, jeraha, mateso na magonjwa na kutibiwa kama wanakuwa wagonjwa au kujeruhiwa. - Tabia <unk> uwezo wa kujiendesha asili kwa ajili ya spishi zao, kwa mfano, kucheza, kukimbia, kuchimba, kuruka, nk. - Companionship <unk> kuwa makazi na, au tofauti na, wanyama wengine kama inafaa kwa spishi. - Chakula <unk> chakula kinachofaa. Hii inaweza kujumuisha kulisha kwa usahihi kwa hatua ya maisha ya mnyama na kulisha kiasi sahihi ili kuzuia unene kupita kiasi au utapiamlo, pamoja na upatikanaji wa maji safi safi. - Mazingira <unk> mazingira ya kufaa. Hii inapaswa kujumuisha aina sahihi ya nyumba na mahali pazuri pa kupumzika na kujificha pamoja na nafasi ya kufanya mazoezi na kuchunguza. Uchaguzi kama utajiri Hapa ni mfano wa kuwezesha mbwa wako kufanya uchaguzi ili kusaidia utajiri wao. Fikiria kwa muda kuhusu maamuzi unayofanya kwa ajili ya mbwa wako. Ni uwezekano kwamba wewe kuchagua: - Wakati wao kula - Wakati wao kwenda nje ya 'kuondoa' wenyewe - Wakati wao mazoezi - Mahali wanapofanya mazoezi - Wakati wao kukutana na marafiki wao - Wakati wao kuingiliana na wewe - Wakati wao kucheza - Mahali wanapenda - Mahali wanapolala Haipaswi kuwa na baadhi ya uhuru? "Ukijisikiaje kama ungeamka asubuhi moja, bila kujua nini kitatokea siku nzima, lakini siku ilipokuwa ikiendelea, ukijulishwa ni lini ungeweza kutumia bafuni, sahani ya chakula ilitupwa mbele yako na hukujulishwa ni lini au ikiwa chakula kingine kingeonekana, ulipelekwa nje, ukasukumwa upande mmoja na kuambiwa ""Njoo"" ikiwa ungeweza kupunguza mwendo, ukamwona rafiki yako ng'ambo ya barabara lakini ukamwambia hakuna wakati wa kuzungumza na kisha ukakamatwa katika chumba kimoja ambapo uliiambia ulale." Tunajua kwamba wewe ni mtu ambaye hufanya bora yako kwa mbwa wako. Wewe si kuwa kusoma hii kama wewe si! Hata hivyo, fikiria siku ya kawaida ya mbwa wako kutoka kwa mtazamo wake. Ukosefu wa chaguo hupunguza nafasi ya mbwa wako kuepuka au kupunguza mkazo. Hii inaweza kusababisha mbwa wako kupoteza hamu ya shughuli za kila siku. Pia yaweza kusababisha kukata tamaa na uwezekano wa kujibu. Mbwa aliye na uwezo wa kufanya maamuzi atakuwa mwenye furaha na mwenye kujiamini zaidi. Si tu mabadiliko makubwa kwa mbwa wako, lakini pia itakusaidia kumjua mbwa wako. Hawahitaji kusimamiwa kidogo, wanaweza kufanya maamuzi na tunaweza kuheshimu maamuzi hayo, ambayo yatakuletea uhusiano wenye nguvu zaidi. Hapa kuna njia kadhaa za kuboresha ubora wa maisha ya mbwa wako kwa kuchagua chakula cha kawaida. Je, wanapata vyakula mbalimbali, ladha na textures tofauti, mapishi mapya na chaguzi badala ya kila kitu mchanganyiko pamoja? Je, wao kujaribu matunda na mboga tofauti (moja ambayo ni salama; bila shaka), je, wao kupata mara kwa mara yai mbichi na kuwa na kufikiri jinsi ya kula ni?! Chakula ni sehemu muhimu sana ya maisha ya mbwa wetu kwamba baadhi ya uchaguzi na adventure ina kuhamasishwa. Ni lini mara ya mwisho mbwa wako alichagua mwelekeo na mwendo wako? Si mara zote vitendo wakati wewe ni kukimbilia kupata kazi na kuwa na kuweka muda kwa walkies, lakini nini kuhusu adventures yako ya muda mrefu, mwishoni mwa wiki yako au siku yako ya mapumziko? Acha mbwa wako, kihalisi, aongoze njia. Ikiwa watachagua kuchukua njia ambayo hujawahi kuitumia, utaona ulimwengu kutoka kwa mtazamo wao kwa muda mfupi. Hawatakuwa na wasiwasi kama ni mwisho wa mwisho, kama wamefuata harufu nzuri, hawatakuwa na wasiwasi kwamba wametumia dakika kumi kuchunguza kila inchi ya nguzo ya taa, hawatakuwa na wasiwasi kama wamepanda na kushuka barabara moja mara tatu, ni kutembea yao, wanaweza kuchagua. Kazi yako ni kujilinda na kufurahia adventure. Je, mbwa wako anaweza kuchagua mahali pa kulala? Je, kuna mahali fulani pa utulivu, mahali fulani kwenye kitanda kilichoinuliwa (au sofa! Mahali pa kujificha, mahali pa baridi na mahali pa joto. Ni rahisi sana kwa mbwa kupumzika na kulala usingizi mzito anapohisi salama na starehe. Toys & Michezo: Je, mbwa wako ana kuchagua michezo na toys kwamba wanaweza kuingiliana na? Je, unamtia moyo achague kichezeo cha kukuletea ili mkaweze kucheza pamoja? Je, uchaguzi wao unaheshimiwa ikiwa huleta kichezeo unapotazama televisheni au kusoma kitabu? Kuna, bila shaka, kipengele cha vitendo kwa hili na unahitaji kuwa na ishara mahali ili kuuliza mbwa wako kufanya kitu kingine ikiwa inahitajika, lakini pia kuweka mwaliko wao wa kucheza mbele ya sabuni yako ya kupendwa ni muhimu. Mbwa wako anaishi maisha ya kujitenga, na mara chache anapata nafasi ya kukutana na mbwa wengine? Sisi ni kuzungumza juu ya mbwa ambao wanataka kutembea nje na mbwa wengine; tunajua kwamba baadhi ya kuwa na mawazo yao wenyewe kuhusu ambaye wao ingekuwa / si kama kutembea nje na. Je, una rafiki aliye na mbwa ambaye unaweza kwenda naye kutembea? Je, kuna kituo cha kutunza mbwa kinachojulikana karibu na mahali ulipo? Je, kuna kikundi kilichopangwa kutembea au klabu ya mazoezi karibu na wewe? Kutoa mbwa wako nafasi ya kuwa karibu na mbwa wengine ambao pia wanataka kutembea ni muhimu. Wakati sisi ni juu ya mada ya mwingiliano, je, pia kuheshimu mbwa wako uchaguzi wa kuondoka hali wao si starehe katika? Kama wao ni kuwa fussed na mtu na wao ni kuonyesha wewe wao si furaha, je, wewe kuzungumza juu kwa niaba yao? Kama wao si starehe karibu mbwa wengine au karibu na watu, wewe ni kuwasaidia na hii na kuweka yao salama katika wakati huo huo? Ikiwa mbwa wako haoni vizuri katika mazingira fulani, je, unaheshimu uamuzi wake wa kuondoka au kutokwenda? Marie Yates, Mkurugenzi wa Canine Perspective CIC "Mara moja, alipata tuzo ya ""BetterPets"" ya Purina, na sasa anafanya kazi katika kampuni ya ""BetterPets"" ya Purina."