Enrichment!

Proper Enrichment (Not Just Licki Mats)

Social media is full of so-called enrichment ideas for dogs. Licki mats. Frozen Kongs. Towels rolled up with kibble inside. Even “destruction boxes” where you stick food in a cardboard box and let your dog tear it apart.

Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t do these things. They can be fun. But let’s be real — they’re not proper enrichment. At best, they’re a nice little treat or a way to keep your dog occupied for a few minutes. At worst, people lean on them as the main way of “tiring their dog out.” That’s not enrichment.

Here’s a test: if you’d been stuck indoors all day and I handed you a lolly to lick, would you honestly call that enriching? Delicious, yes. Enriching, no.

Real enrichment = real life

Enrichment should actually enhance your dog’s life. That means doing stuff together — experiencing the world with you. The forest. The beach. A walk through town. New smells, new places, new challenges. That’s what’s truly enriching.

And here’s the kicker: dogs who are constantly given puzzle toys and lick mats inside the house aren’t learning how to switch off. If anything, they’re being wound up even more. Engaging them in meaningful activities outside makes it easier for them to relax once they’re home.

Linking it back

If you’ve been following this hub a while, you’ll notice how often things loop back. That’s intentional. Dog training isn’t a one-and-done fix. Issues overlap. Foundations connect.

• Co-operative play: we can channel our dog’s genetics and build their desire to work with us.

• Crate training: we can teach dogs the actual skill of settling in the house.

Put those together, and you’ve got a dog who’s mentally stimulated outside, and calm inside. That’s a foundation worth building on.

“But my dog can’t go out…”

I hear this a lot: “I can’t enrich my dog because they’re a liability outdoors.” To that I’d say — that’s where training comes in. Every dog, no matter how young or old, can learn new skills. It might not be instant, but the process itself is enriching. A five-minute training session is worth more than any licki mat, and it’s building a stronger bond between you and your dog.

And just to prove the point — if I wasn’t fortunate enough to have a wife and kids, I’d probably find most of my “enrichment” in a tub of ice cream. But life with my family is far more fulfilling. The ice cream still happens (old habits die hard, right?) — just not every night. Same principle with dogs: real value comes from meaningful connection, not mindless repetition.

I get it. I’ve been there. When I first got Sam, the scars of her running off, chasing horses, disappearing into the woods — they’re still etched in my mind. Even now, the biggest thing that holds me back is… me. But here’s the reality: I can take her anywhere. And if somewhere feels like too much? Fine. Turn it into a training session. Go there with purpose. Five minutes is enough. Then head somewhere easier. Next time, aim for six. Sometimes the slow-and-steady approach is for us as much as it is for our dogs.

Time well spent

So here’s my advice: start taking your dog more places. Enrich their life, and yours too. At first it might feel like a chore. But give it time, put the work in, and it becomes a joy.

That’s real enrichment. And your dog deserves it. One day you’ll look back and be so glad you did.