How to prevent dogs from destroying their toys

10 Dec 201729 Aug 2020 ~ Shay Kelly MSc BSc FdSc ~ Leave a comment

As an advocate of canine enrichment, 'my dog destroys his toys' is something I hear a lot. I can certainly understand the frustration. Some of the toys are not cheap and to have them not even last the day is disappointing, to say the least. Looking around the pet shops, I often see notices displayed … Continue reading How to prevent dogs from destroying their toys

Will Enrichment turn him into a Destruction Monster?

11 Oct 201729 Aug 2020 ~ Shay Kelly MSc BSc FdSc ~ 3 Comments

Ok, it's slightly dramatic but the question that comes up almost weekly in my enrichment group, Canine Enrichment, is this, Will allowing him to tear up boxes to get the food out just teach him to destroy everything? (In many of the enrichment activities shown in the group, food or toys are placed in boxes for … Continue reading Will Enrichment turn him into a Destruction Monster?

WHY DO DOGS NEED ENRICHMENT?

9 Sep 201729 Aug 2020 ~ Shay Kelly MSc BSc FdSc ~ 3 Comments

Turn the clock back just 40 or 50 years and life for pet dogs looked very different. They often came and went as they pleased, wandering the neighbourhood and meeting up with other local dogs. Thinking back to my own childhood, I don't remember anybody in my street who used to take their dog for … Continue reading WHY DO DOGS NEED ENRICHMENT?

Find It – A Beautifully Enriching Scent Game to Play with Dogs

3 Sep 201729 Aug 2020 ~ Shay Kelly MSc BSc FdSc ~ 3 Comments

I can think of no better way of getting our dogs using their brain and body in perfect harmony than to employ what dogs love, need and crave; scent. This is a quite simple yet highly enriching game. You need some catnip (you don't actually as there are all sorts of things you could use … Continue reading Find It – A Beautifully Enriching Scent Game to Play with Dogs

When is Enrichment Not Enrichment?

26 Aug 201729 Aug 2020 ~ Shay Kelly MSc BSc FdSc ~ 3 Comments

For many years I felt that companion dogs often had less enriching lives than the minimum standard expected for animals in zoos. This led me to form the first ever Facebook group specifically for canine enrichment (2nd July 2017). The group membership expanded exponentially and today stands at over 320,000. Obviously I'm delighted that so … Continue reading When is Enrichment Not Enrichment?