The Canine Brain Box
Activity Guide
So what is enrichment?
Enrichment is defined as ‘something you add to your dog’s environment that they choose to interact with and that has a positive impact on their psychological or physical well being.’
Although this sounds complicated, it's really easy to do and just involves adding some simple but fun activities to your dogs day - it can be as simple as just scattering some of their food on the floor!
Providing our dogs with adequate mental stimulation can be just as important as meeting their physical needs, and can help to prevent a wide range of problems that occur when our dogs become bored and understimulated such as excessive barking, destructive behaviour and hyperactivity
To provide the best possible activities for our dogs, we need to look at the natural behaviours and activities that they enjoy. These will vary from breed to breed and dog to dog, for example if you have a scent hound providing some activities that involve sniffing are going to be really popular, where as a Border Collie might enjoy the challenge of a puzzle type activity
Enrichment Top Tips
The most important thing to remember with any enrichment activity is that the aim is to make your dogs life more interesting, not more difficult
We've broken down all the enrichment activities in this guide in to step by step actions to make sure that you're working at your dogs pace and not asking too much from them. If we ask them to do something too complicated such as a puzzle toy that they don't understand, they're likely to become frustrated or lose interest - it may even put them off trying other activities in the future, so starting off simple can really help.
The activities we can do with our dogs fall into two categories:
Engagement/ Bonding Activities - these involve you being interactive and present with your dog and will increase the bond between you. This means your dog will be more attentive to you in general, not just when your training.
Independent Activities - These are activities you can leave your dog to do while you're busy or stuck for time, and can help to calm and tire your dog. Both are important and a healthy mix of both is the best way forward
A tired dog is a happy dog....
"A tired dog is a happy dog" is a phrase that's used a lot. Tired can mean a lot of different things, for example you could feel tired and relaxed after a chilled out day. Alternatively you could feel absolutely exhausted and just not being able to stay awake after something that's physical or mentally strenuous, which is definitely not a happy experience! Providing the right balance of mental stimulation, physical exercise and rest ensures our dogs can feel a relaxed and happy tired, rather than just exhausted from too much running around.
PRODUCT GUIDE
Roly Poly Snack Egg
Snack toys for dogs are the perfect combination of feasting and fun and are a great everyday activity. The toys meet different needs and require different skills. Some require brainwork and dexterity, while others are primarily designed to calm and relax your four-legged friend. Overall, snack toys offer your dog many benefits: Active thinking and finding things out will boost your pet's intelligence and reduce boredom. Your dog also has to use fine motor and coordination skills to get the hidden treats. For dogs that get stressed quickly and need rest periods, toys that allow a lot of licking do an excellent job – by licking, dogs calm themselves down, so they benefit greatly from this type of activity. Another important point is food intake: this is slowed down by the use of snack toys, which reduces digestive problems and excessive gorging. Thanks to the shared play and learning experiences, pets can also build a stronger bond with their owners and strengthen their trust in them.
PRODUCT GUIDE
Carrot Treat Dispenser
The perfect toy for healthy treats! The Spunky Pup Carrot holds your dog’s favourite treats for interactive play. Promotes clean teeth and healthy gums while keeping him happy and engaged for hours. Or play fetch with this durable, crazy-bouncing toy. Non-toxic, and dishwasher safe
Please note this is not a chew toy, this is a treat play/dispensing toy
Dogsee Gigabites
The Dogsee Gigabites Carrot cookies are an excellent way to meet your dog's nutritional requirements. Made with high-quality ingredients, natural sweetness of honey and jaggery, and gluten-free, these are suitable for all dogs!
The main ingredient is the carrot; these cookies are rich in minerals and antioxidants and are packed with Vitamin A. That makes it good for eye health, great for smooth bowel functioning and boosting immunity. Carrots are also low calorie and low fat, which makes these cookies ideal for your dog with diabetes. A perfect combination of health and taste - these cookies are a great addition to your dog's regular meals.
PRODUCT GUIDE
Dog Choc with Carob, Chamomile & Quinoa
A soothing blend of carob, chamomile and quinoa to help with your dog’s daily siesta, like easing into a mug of warm cocoa. Carob is a healthy chocolate alternative for dogs, making each soft-baked biscuit all the more tempting Finally, something chocolatey approved for your four-legged friend. With added chamomile for its calming qualities and quinoa for its antioxidants and protein. Pocket-sized and compostable packaging approved, ready to grab and go.
JR Pet Pure Pate
Premium Pure Paté is made with ONLY the best cuts of premium meat, No offal, No fillers, No herbs, No additives, No preservatives, nothing just top quality meat!
Grain and Gluten Free and suitable for all dogs, no matter their breed, size, Raw or Kibble fed. Grain and Gluten Free and suitable for all dogs, no matter their breed, size, Raw or Kibble fed.
PRODUCT GUIDE
JR Pet Pure Pate
With it's incredible, firm, meaty texture it's no wonder that our paté is the training treat of choice for the majority of the UK's top trainers and behaviourists, including those involved in TV and Film. Highly palatable and easily digestible our Paté is incredibly versatile and is irresistible to even the fussiest dog.
It can be used as a training treat, used with enrichment toys, food topper and even a complete food too!
Available in 4 different sizes and 9 varieties, there is one for every dog
Slice it - Dice it - Cube it - Cut it - Stuff it - Mash it - Grate it - Blend itFreeze it - The possibilities are endless
Key advantages of our Pure Chicken Paté include:-
Grain and Gluten free
Single Source Protein
Responsibly sourced
Suitable for puppies 4 weeks and over
Great Reward or Enrichment Treat
Complete Food
Easily Digestible
Healthy and Nutritious
No Additives or Preservatives
No fillers, bulking agents, offal or herbs
Suitable for all breeds, sizes and ages
Easter Enrichment
Create an Easter Eg
While our dogs can't have chocolate, it doesn't mean they have to miss out on all the Easter fun!
An 'Easter Egg' hunt is a great way to give both their body and brain a workout, leaving them feeling happy, relaxed and ready for a snooze!
You can create the hunt using anything your dog will be motivated to find If they're tennis ball mad, then scattering some tennis balls around the house or garden is a great game, or if they're more of a foodie then you can use some kibble or tasty treats
Start by hiding just one toy / treat somewhere that's fa dog has got to grips with 'find it' before you start Onc y ppy g y / treat, you can then hide it in a slightly harder to find locations, and build up to hiding multiple toys/ treats to create a treasure hunt for your dog
Egg Cartons
A simple egg carton offers so many ways to play!
Create a Destruction Box
Place some kibble or tasty treats inside the compartments of the egg carton, fasten it up and give it to your dog to open! This is always a big hit with dogs that love to shred cardboard!
Create a DIY Puzzle
Pop a piece of kibble or tasty treat in each compartment and cover it up with something like a tennis ball or other toy so that your dog has to move the toy to get to the treat
Create a 'Tasting Box'
Pop a different type of food in each compartment for your dog to explore Try to mix up flavours and textures, with things like dog friendly pate to crunchy fruits or vegetables
Spring Hazards
Spring – the season we have been waiting for after what has felt like a long, cold and rainy Winter here in the UK. Spring is a season that feels full of potential and life as the weather begins to warm, trees begin to grow their leaves and stunning, colourful plants start to flower.
Although beautiful, did you know that many flowers and plants popular in the Springtime can be toxic to our pets?
Which Spring Plants & Flowers are Toxic?
Just some of the plants that could be toxic to your dog include Daffodils, Tulips, Lavender, Primrose, Bluebell, Sweet William, Peony, Poppy and Eucalyptus.
What are the symptoms my dog may have ingested a toxic plant?
Symptoms of the ingestion of toxic plants or flowers can include:
- Vomiting & Diarrhoea
- Seizures & Tremors
- Profuse Salivation
- Breathing Difficulties
- Lethargy or Collapse
If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxin, contact your Veterinary Practice immediately, informing them how long ago your pet ate or licked the toxin, where this information is possible It is recommended that you take any packaging or wrapping with you
If you are unsure if a substance, food or plant is toxic, you can check the PDSA common list of poisons, found on their website, or call the Veterinary Poisons Information Line, who’s contact details are available on their website.
DIY Enrichment Activities
The never ending box game
So, your dog has mastered the DIY snuffle box, you’ve taken it up a level and they’re ready for something a little more challenging!
Introducing the never-ending box game. You will need: a variety of boxes of different sizes, treats, paper, a tea towel (egg cartons and folded toilet roll tubes are great for smaller nesting boxes).
How to set up the never-ending box game
4 Easy Steps
Repeat the steps for creating a DIY snuffle box for each box you have
Nest the boxes inside one another
Take your tea towel and wrap some treats inside it, loosely knotting the towel so your dog needs to work to unwrap it (place it in one of your boxes)
Set your nest of boxes down and let the fun begin!
As with any activity, make sure anything you use is going to be safe for your dog, their personality & play style If they’re likely to try and eat the box then try keeping it simple and use high value treats so they’re more rewarding than the box and quick and easy to find.
Exciting News
We’ve partnered with several amazing pet businesses to bring you exclusive discounts on a range of products and services. Your dog deserves the best and we are committed to enhancing their wellbeing.
We’re eager to further expand these collaborations and really value your input. Share your thoughts, preferences and suggestions for products, services, brands you’d like to see featured by reaching out to us at hello@cognitivecanineco.co.uk
Your feedback matters, and is crucial to help us source products and services that are of benefit to you and your dog. Thank you for being part of the Cognitive Canine Co Community!
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