Enrichment Matters

Enrichment Matters Enrichment Matters is an offshoot of Training Matters. Posts focus on behavioral and environmental enrichment of companion animals.

More sniffs.
11/07/2024

More sniffs.

11/06/2024

I doubt there is anything more enriching for a dog and other species than the smells encountered when wildlife has been on the move.

11/06/2024
10/02/2024

Variety is an essential quality of enrichment provision, whether you’re providing food, social, olfactory, or other forms of enrichment. Freezing treats for the winter months is a good way to plan for some variety in your animals’ noms when the fresh stuff isn’t available. In the summer, frozen treats like icies can cool and hydrate in warm temps. The possibilities are endless

When something does, it can provide enrichment for others. 🤦
09/26/2024

When something does, it can provide enrichment for others. 🤦

When something dies, it can provide enrichment for others 🤦.
09/26/2024

When something dies, it can provide enrichment for others 🤦.

Five days remaining in our early bird discounts for this event. Be sure to grab yours to learn from this panel of indust...
07/10/2024

Five days remaining in our early bird discounts for this event. Be sure to grab yours to learn from this panel of industry leaders. And, spread the word!

Various concepts discussed by trainers, such as choice and control, have origins in zoo animal care with enrichment prov...
07/03/2024

Various concepts discussed by trainers, such as choice and control, have origins in zoo animal care with enrichment provision. The idea of enrichment was to give zoo animals "choice" and "control" in captive environments. Enrichment designs that implement concurrent schedules of reinforcement and non-contingent reinforcement strategies are among those that have freed the operant in ingenious ways. The language of "choice" and "control" made its way into training and evolved linguistically to include "agency" and "freedom" (e.g., freedom to choose). Such concepts, their implementation, and their effects on training need to be considered.

Like wild conditions, zoo environments can be designed to evoke a diverse repertoire of free operant behavior. In an appropriately enriched environment, animals will have more opportunities to make choices to control a variety of outcomes.

Some recent food toys distributed to animals at Lemon's Hope Sanctuary.
05/30/2024

Some recent food toys distributed to animals at Lemon's Hope Sanctuary.

Trainers, animal care professionals and dedicated pet owners, we've got fun learning experiences on the schedule for you...
04/27/2024

Trainers, animal care professionals and dedicated pet owners, we've got fun learning experiences on the schedule for you! One coming up in May related to working with aggressive and reactive behaviors in dogs, as well as choosing relaxation plans and designing enrichment strategies to meet the needs of these dogs. I assure you, the content will be relevant to other species as well.

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Brattleboro, VT
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Sighthound on a scent.
Sighthound on a scent.

I doubt there is anything more enriching for a dog and other species than the smells encountered when wildlife has been on the move. #dogs #enrichment #olfaction

Variety is an essential quality of enrichment provision, whether you’re providing food, social, olfactory, or other forms of enrichment. Freezing treats for the winter months is a good way to plan for some variety in your animals’ noms when the fresh stuff isn’t available. In the summer, frozen treats like icies can cool and hydrate in warm temps. The possibilities are endless #enrichment #horses #environmentalenrichment

Feeder toys on a snowy day followed by nap time.

Surprise goodies in the watering trough can be pretty awesome.

Bobbing for apples, celery, cucumber, flowers, etc., is a good time. #horses #enrichment #animalsdoingthings

Having dinner in the trainjng room. #dogs #rainydayenrichment #rainydays #rainydayactivities #enrichment

This is my friend's cat rubbing on her pants after we worked with a sheep at my place. Never underestimate the enrichment power of novel scents for many species. When we shear my sheep, Katie will be taking home some wool to make enrichment toys for this cat, in particular, but I'm sure for her other cat and dog as well if they are interested. #cat #enrichment #smellssogood

Hanging treatos.
Hanging treatos.

They seem to have the strategy worked out. #minihorse #farmlife #sanctuarylife #enrichment

Cooperation.
Cooperation.

This treato won’t last long! #enrichment #minihorse #farmlife #sanctuarylife

Some really interesting intersection of training and enrichment is created for bears at the San Diego Zoo. Using scents as cues for behaviors is some next-level training, enrichment and care.
Some really interesting intersection of training and enrichment is created for bears at the San Diego Zoo. Using scents as cues for behaviors is some next-level training, enrichment and care.

Bear keeping at the San Diego Zoo.

Boxes as toys.
Boxes as toys.

This is one thing we’ll be doing to get through the cold snap: giving the dogs boxes stuffed with toilet paper and paper towel rolls that in turn contain food treats, smaller boxes with food on them, and food toys for the dogs to get out of the larger box and rip into. This can be an activity of done duration depending on the dog’s abilities and how the box is stuffed.

Recycling makes the best toys for lots of dogs. #enrichment #dogs

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