Enrichment

Feeding The Curious Mind

If exercise supports the body, enrichment supports the mind. For dogs, mental stimulation is a central but often overlooked part of care. Many dogs receive basic training, but they lack ongoing opportunities to solve problems, explore, or play in ways that challenge their thinking skills. It is estimated that only 25 percent of dog owners engage in structured mental enrichment activities on a regular basis.₁₁ 

Without it, even a well-exercised dog can become bored, anxious, or inventive in all the wrong ways. As a result, it is often a trip to the veterinarian for “behavior issues” that the current model frequently treats in isolation, without exploring whether unmet mental needs are contributing to the problem.