10/01/2020
"WHY I LOVE ENRICHMENT
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In the words of the brilliant Dr. Isla Fishburn, “dogs are genetically ancient canines in a modern day world”. Our dogs have needs, instincts and desires that perhaps aren’t suited or socially acceptable in modern society. Providing enrichment can help to meet these needs, and help make for more harmonious living alongside people.
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When I say enrichment, I don’t mean simply offering your dog a stuffed kong. Enrichment is so much more than that. When I say enrichment I mean social, cognitive, sensory, environmental and food enrichment. By offering our dogs these choices, they have the opportunity to display natural behaviours which they otherwise may not. Particularly for anxious dogs, it can encourage them to participate in self-soothing behaviours such as sniffing, licking and chewing. It can also ensure that they’re physical and mental needs are met without pushing them into uncomfortable situations such as the typical daily walk which may be extremely taxing for dogs afraid of the world around them. Carefully designed cognitive activities can boost confidence, as they develop our dogs problem solving abilities and each attempt is rewarded with something great.
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Wild dogs will spend nearly 80% of their time hunting, foraging and scavenging for food. And yet, many of our dogs are not given adequate opportunity to search, chase, or dissect. They’re fed the same food day in day out, go on the same walks, and meet the same people and dogs. Many pet dogs, despite originally being bred for a job, go without. They’re understimulated, not mentally challenged, and often end up going “self-employed”. They’ll find their own activities, their own challenges and this can often come at the most inconvenient times from our human perspective.
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The best enrichment is designed specif**ally with a goal in mind, and taking into account the dog in front of you. I encourage everyone to consider how they can enrich their dogs lives, improve their quality of life, boost animal welfare and also create a blissful, harmonious companionship with their dog.
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"
WHY I LOVE ENRICHMENT
-
In the words of the brilliant Dr. Isla Fishburn, “dogs are genetically ancient canines in a modern day world”. Our dogs have needs, instincts and desires that perhaps aren’t suited or socially acceptable in modern society. Providing enrichment can help to meet these needs, and help make for more harmonious living alongside people.
-
When I say enrichment, I don’t mean simply offering your dog a stuffed kong. Enrichment is so much more than that. When I say enrichment I mean social, cognitive, sensory, environmental and food enrichment. By offering our dogs these choices, they have the opportunity to display natural behaviours which they otherwise may not. Particularly for anxious dogs, it can encourage them to participate in self-soothing behaviours such as sniffing, licking and chewing. It can also ensure that they’re physical and mental needs are met without pushing them into uncomfortable situations such as the typical daily walk which may be extremely taxing for dogs afraid of the world around them. Carefully designed cognitive activities can boost confidence, as they develop our dogs problem solving abilities and each attempt is rewarded with something great.
-
Wild dogs will spend nearly 80% of their time hunting, foraging and scavenging for food. And yet, many of our dogs are not given adequate opportunity to search, chase, or dissect. They’re fed the same food day in day out, go on the same walks, and meet the same people and dogs. Many pet dogs, despite originally being bred for a job, go without. They’re understimulated, not mentally challenged, and often end up going “self-employed”. They’ll find their own activities, their own challenges and this can often come at the most inconvenient times from our human perspective.
-
The best enrichment is designed specif**ally with a goal in mind, and taking into account the dog in front of you. I encourage everyone to consider how they can enrich their dogs lives, improve their quality of life, boost animal welfare and also create a blissful, harmonious companionship with their dog.
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