Bribie Snuffles Pet Enrichment

21/01/2024

Makes a comfy resting spot after a busy snuffling session.

16/12/2023

A Rescue Dog's Christmas Poem
Based on the epithet that: "A dog is not just for Christmas".

'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
every shelter is full - we are lost but not found,

Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that someone will care,

They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie - come fetch your new ball!!"

But now we sit here and think of the days...
we were treated so fondly - we had cute, baby ways,

Once we were little, then we grew and we grew -
now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash,
they reacted so quickly - why were they so rash?

We "jump on the children", "don't come when they call",
we "bark when they leave us", "climb over the wall".

We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of the errors they made.

If only they'd trained us, if only we knew...
we'd have done what they asked us and worshipped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse - let to roam -
now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.

They dropped us off here and they kissed us good-bye...

"Maybe someone else will give you a try."

So now here we are, all confused and alone...
in a shelter with others who long for a home.

The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat,

They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer...
we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads...
of a home filled with love and our own cosy beds.

Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears -
our friends filled with emptiness, worry, and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the Inn -
could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?

We count on your kindness each day of the year -
can you give more than hope to everyone here?

Please make a donation to pay for the heat...
and help get us something special to eat.

The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
and more of us will, if more people will give.

09/12/2023

Thick quality Snuffle Mats in stock.
Sizes, colours & prices as marked.
Suitable for dogs and cats. Comes with instructions on how to successfully introduce your pet to their new snuffle mat.
Pick up Banksia Beach.

10/11/2023

10/11/2023

04/11/2023

First timers Lulu and Angus trying the Snuffle Mat.

07/10/2023

https://www.bindisbucketlist.com/post/towel-enrichment-how-to-fold-towels-to-create-mentally-stimulating-puzzles-for-dogs

While buying toys and puzzles with enrichment in mind is great, I will always have a soft spot for upcycling regular household items for enrichment activities. Repurposing standard items is an inexpensive and fun way to add variety to your dog's routines, and the possibilities are endless. Recently,...

29/06/2023

Scouts favourite way
To start the day

24/06/2023

A Snuffle Mat is a fun, rewarding enrichment activity for your pet. Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise when it comes to our dogs' routines. It lessens hyperactivity, lowers stress, can deter destructive behaviour, resulting in a happier dog.

Mental fatigue makes dogs feel more tired then physical effort alone. 15 mins of sniffing burns as many calories as an hours walk. Your pet will love snuffling away to find the hidden treats in the thick layers of fleece.

**********
Choosing the right sized Snuffle Mat for your pet; firstly consider the size of your pet; their snuffling ability, and what purpose your wanting from your Snuffle Mat. The larger the Snuffle Mat, means an increased surface area for your pet to forage through, which increases the time and challenge of the mat.

Burying treats deeper within the fleece, breaking treats into smaller harder to find pieces, placing the mat in a basket or box to give more depth, or adding extra fleece loops, pockets or folds to your mat are all ways to increase the challenge as your pet masters the Snuffle Mat.

Correct introduction to a Snuffle Mat will ensure your pet learns how to use their mat without destroying it. Each mat comes with instructions on how to do this.

Handmade on Bribie Island 🏝 from all new materials with lots of fabric in them. Various sizes available. Suitable for dogs and cats.
Pick up only Banksia Beach.
PM to view what's in stock.

11/06/2023

Abby & Sandy

07/06/2023

https://petharmonytraining.com/enrichment-for-dogs-and-other-pets-with-disabilities/

07/06/2023

ENRICHMENT FOR SENIOR PETS

Enrichment is offering experiences and opportunities to animals to encourage healthy natural behaviours and enhance physical and emotional welfare.

Enrichment is often broken into two broad categories: environmental and social.

Environmental enrichment alters the animal’s space either by making changes to the environment itself or by adding novel items such as toys, feeding puzzles, exercise, and things to smell and explore.

Social enrichment involves offering positive social experiences for the animal with people or other animals.

Offering enrichment for geriatric or senior dogs and cats can slow age-related cognitive decline and strengthen the human–animal bond. Deterioration may manifest as behaviour changes collectively referred to as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Dogs and cats clinically affected by cognitive dysfunction may exhibit behaviour signs including:

Disorientation

Altered or reduced social interactions

Sleep–wake cycle change (eg, nighttime wakefulness)

House soiling

Excessive vocalization

Decreased activity level

Increased anxiety or aggression

Enrichment Ideas for Senior Dogs:

Shorter walks outside – There is nothing like the great outdoors! Physical exercise, opportunities for social interaction, and new things to see and smell! Your walks may need to be a lot shorter than they were in younger years, but they are still beneficial. Just make sure to monitor how your pet is handling the walk and not to push your dog too far. Even sitting outside or taking a short walk focused on sniffing (sniff walk) can be enriching.

Puzzle Feeders: There are many different puzzle feeders available. You can use some or all of your pet’s regular diet in the puzzle feeders, and you can also use special treats. Sometimes, you can freeze food in puzzle feeders to make them last longer.

Snuffle mats: can be used as a food puzzle or you can use them with scents. If you are adding scent, make sure that it is safe for dogs. Certain essential oils such as cinnamon, tea tree, peppermint, and wintergreen are not safe. Scents such as coconut, vanilla, ginger, and valerian are safe. Additionally, some dogs respond to catnip, and it can help them relax. Snuffle mats encourage sniffing and encourage normal foraging behaviours.

Scavenger Hunts – Hide treats, food items, and toys around the house or yard. Some dogs enjoy playing hide and seek with their favorite toys. Hide items in safe places. Hide items near places the dog frequents, by their bed or water bowl, and then expand from there.

Socialise with other Senior Dogs or Calm dogs – If your dog enjoys the company of other dogs, arrange for play dates with other calm or senior dogs. Make sure that your dog enjoys this experience by monitoring their body language. Your dog should choose to engage with the other dogs, have loose body language, and be relaxed.

Positive Reinforcement Training will improve your bond with your pet at any life stage, and senior dogs are no exception. Positive reinforcement training is a great tool for senior dogs because it is mentally stimulating but does not require physical exertion.

When it comes to enrichment, you can find something for all senior dogs no matter what their health or mobility status.

21/05/2023

Sandy enjoying some enrichment activities with the toothy ball and a snuffle mat.

21/05/2023

Sandys first time using the Snuffle Mat
View in fullscreen.

14/05/2023

Rileys at it again.
Look at that nose go.
He's a snuffle mat pro. 😃

05/03/2023

Scout

25/02/2023

Benefits of a Snuffle Mat

A Snuffle Mat is a fun, rewarding enrichment activity for your pet. Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise when it comes to our dogs' routines. It lessens hyperactivity, lowers stress, can deter destructive behaviour, resulting in a happier dog.

A dog's sense of smell is in between 10,000 and 100,000 times more prominent than that of a human, and it's one of the ways dogs interpret the world around them. Using snuffle mats allows your dog to decode what's in front of them with their nose.

This can:
*Alleviate stress.
*A great wind down
exercise.
*Provide mental
stimulation.
*Encourage slower eating
habits.
*Initiate sniffing and
foraging centers of the
brain, which are
pleasurable for the dog.
*Create mental stimulation
for dogs on restricted
exercise, senior or
mobility impaired pets.

Pet Enrichment activities enhances a pets quality of life by building their self confidence through activities and play.

Mental fatigue makes dogs feel more tired then physical effort alone. 15 mins of sniffing burns as many calories as an hours walk. Your pet will love snuffling away to find the hidden treats in the thick layers of fleece.

**********
Choosing the right sized Snuffle Mat for your pet; firstly consider the size of your pet; their snuffling ability, and what purpose your wanting from your Snuffle Mat. The larger the Snuffle Mat, means an increased surface area for your pet to forage through, which increases the time and challenge of the mat.

Burying treats deeper within the fleece, breaking treats into smaller harder to find pieces, placing the mat in a basket or box to give more depth, or adding extra fleece loops, pockets or folds to your mat are all ways to increase the challenge as your pet masters the Snuffle Mat.

Correct introduction to a Snuffle Mat will ensure your pet learns how to use their mat without destroying it. Each mat from Bribie Snuffles comes with instructions on how to do this.

Handmade on Bribie Island.

08/02/2023

Winstons admiring the latest pile of Snuffle Mats.

04/02/2023

New Snuffle Mats

18/01/2023

Abby
1. Introducing the
enrichment toothy ball.
2. Loosening a kibble piece
to receive reward and
encourage use.
3. Independant use of
puzzle toy.

Always supervise your pet with a new toy, and show them how to successfully use the toy so they don't get frustrated and chew the ball.

11/01/2023

Abby enjoying a time out from her hyperactive kitten brother, with a nice self soothing calming snuffle mat session.