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Dog Enrichment Guides

Unlock the secrets to keeping your canine companion mentally stimulated and engaged with enriching activities and games, as detailed on Sniffspot's insightful blog dedicated to dog enrichment.

The Best Dog Water Parks in the United States thumbnail

The Best Dog Water Parks in the United States

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Best Toys for Herding Dogs thumbnail

Best Toys for Herding Dogs

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

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The Best Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers (Facts + Infographic) thumbnail

The Best Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers (Facts + Infographic)

Does your dog destroy every toy you give them? Is your house littered with remnants of fabric and stuffing of all different sizes? Are you tired of investing in “indestructible” toys only for your pup to still dismantle (or worse, get bored of) them in just a few days?

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Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need? thumbnail

Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?

You’ve been told that your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to stretch their legs, experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and spend time with you! Consistent physical activity will also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.

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Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs thumbnail

Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

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Comprehensive Guide to Enrichment Activities for Dogs thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Enrichment Activities for Dogs

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

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Most recent dog enrichment guides

10 Unconventional Ways to Exercise Your Dog thumbnail

10 Unconventional Ways to Exercise Your Dog

Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs thumbnail

Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs

Dog Agility: Complete Guide to the Dog Sport thumbnail

Dog Agility: Complete Guide to the Dog Sport

Introduction to Dog Nosework thumbnail

Introduction to Dog Nosework

Nosework: Enrichment for Every Dog thumbnail

Nosework: Enrichment for Every Dog

Five Ways Truffle Hunting Helps Reactive Dogs and Their Owners thumbnail

Five Ways Truffle Hunting Helps Reactive Dogs and Their Owners

Variety is the Spice of Life: Canine Exercise Recommendations from the Latest Research thumbnail

Variety is the Spice of Life: Canine Exercise Recommendations from the Latest Research

Lure Coursing: Complete Guide thumbnail

Lure Coursing: Complete Guide

Bikejoring: What is It & How to Get Started thumbnail

Bikejoring: What is It & How to Get Started

The Pocket Guide to Flyball for Dogs thumbnail

The Pocket Guide to Flyball for Dogs

Comprehensive Guide to Skijoring With Dogs thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Skijoring With Dogs

The Best Dog Enrichment Toys thumbnail

The Best Dog Enrichment Toys

Canicross: Guide to Trail Racing With Your Dog thumbnail

Canicross: Guide to Trail Racing With Your Dog

Comprehensive Guide to Dog Exercise thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Dog Exercise

Best Toys for Herding Dogs thumbnail

Best Toys for Herding Dogs

Comprehensive Guide to Enrichment Activities for Dogs thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Enrichment Activities for Dogs

Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need? thumbnail

Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?

Best Ways to Exercise Your Dog thumbnail

Best Ways to Exercise Your Dog

The Best Mental Exercises for Dogs thumbnail

The Best Mental Exercises for Dogs

What is Dog Sledding and How to Do It thumbnail

What is Dog Sledding and How to Do It

Best Dog Frisbee Discs for Playing Fetch thumbnail

Best Dog Frisbee Discs for Playing Fetch

Most recent dog enrichment guides

10 Unconventional Ways to Exercise Your Dog thumbnail

10 Unconventional Ways to Exercise Your Dog

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Every dog is a unique and wonderful creature, but they all have something in common: They need to exercise. No matter what breed or how old your dog is, exercise is a vital part of keeping them healthy and happy. If you're bored with long, leashed walks or just looking for unique ways to help your furbaby let out their seemingly boundless energy, look no further. We've compiled a list of 10 unconventional - but totally effective and, most importantly, fun - ways to exercise your pup.

Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs thumbnail

Complete Guide To Herding With Dogs

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Dog Agility: Complete Guide to the Dog Sport thumbnail

Dog Agility: Complete Guide to the Dog Sport

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Introduction to Dog Nosework thumbnail

Introduction to Dog Nosework

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Ever notice how much your canine pal uses their nose? Maybe you’ve seen them point their head downward and follow an invisible scent trail on the ground during walks — or perhaps they occasional aim upward to catch a whiff of something that’s probably a lot farther away that we realize.

Nosework: Enrichment for Every Dog thumbnail

Nosework: Enrichment for Every Dog

By: EricaWells
Erica  is a Certified Nose Work Instructor (CNWI) through the National Association of Canine Scent Work. She teaches Agility and K9 Nose work classes, both sports she participates and competes in with her rescued Brittany Spaniel, Mimi and newest monster, Gator.

Five Ways Truffle Hunting Helps Reactive Dogs and Their Owners thumbnail

Five Ways Truffle Hunting Helps Reactive Dogs and Their Owners

By: Kristin Rosenbach
Owner - Wagnificent K9 Truffle Dogs, LLC
Freelance Truffle Hunter & Teacher
Reiki Master Teacher

Variety is the Spice of Life: Canine Exercise Recommendations from the Latest Research thumbnail

Variety is the Spice of Life: Canine Exercise Recommendations from the Latest Research

By: Danette Johnston
Owner - Dog's Day Out, Ballard, WA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA)
Licensed AKC CGC Evaluator
NW Coordinator, Doggone Safe

Lure Coursing: Complete Guide thumbnail

Lure Coursing: Complete Guide

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Bikejoring: What is It & How to Get Started thumbnail

Bikejoring: What is It & How to Get Started

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

The Pocket Guide to Flyball for Dogs thumbnail

The Pocket Guide to Flyball for Dogs

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Comprehensive Guide to Skijoring With Dogs thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Skijoring With Dogs

Adventure is out there, and our dogs make it better.

The Best Dog Enrichment Toys thumbnail

The Best Dog Enrichment Toys

test * All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Canicross: Guide to Trail Racing With Your Dog thumbnail

Canicross: Guide to Trail Racing With Your Dog

One of the countless benefits of being a dog parent is having a built-in exercise buddy who is always ready to explore the outdoors and have fun with you. Of course, casual walking, jogging, and hiking are great ways to do so. But if you want to take it up a notch or two? Canicross might be just the activity for you!

Comprehensive Guide to Dog Exercise thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Dog Exercise

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Best Toys for Herding Dogs thumbnail

Best Toys for Herding Dogs

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Comprehensive Guide to Enrichment Activities for Dogs thumbnail

Comprehensive Guide to Enrichment Activities for Dogs

* All Sniffspot articles are reviewed by certified trainers for quality, please see bottom of article for details *

Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need? thumbnail

Dog Exercise Calculator: How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?

You’ve been told that your dog needs regular exercise. There’s a reason “walking the dog” is a classic daily activity: Frequent excursions give your pup a chance to stretch their legs, experience the world, maintain a healthy weight, and spend time with you! Consistent physical activity will also improve their strength, muscle tone, coordination, and mental ability over time.

Best Ways to Exercise Your Dog thumbnail

Best Ways to Exercise Your Dog

It’s no secret that every dog needs regular exercise. Physical activity is important for us humans and our pets — moving our bodies improves strength, coordination, cardiovascular health, and even mental focus over time! If you’re looking to change up your dog’s daily exercise routine, we’ve got you covered.

The Best Mental Exercises for Dogs thumbnail

The Best Mental Exercises for Dogs

Giving our dog’s problem-solving challenges is a great way to productively wear them out and build relevant skills for navigating the world around us. Win-win, right?

What is Dog Sledding and How to Do It thumbnail

What is Dog Sledding and How to Do It

Dog sledding is the stuff of legends — and indeed, of many movies and books. Balto is a household name for his role in transporting medicine to the village of Nome. Disney movies like Eight Below have further popularized (and romanticized) dog sledding teams. If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about dog sledding — or even wondered if your dog has what it takes to participate — we’ve got you covered.

Best Dog Frisbee Discs for Playing Fetch thumbnail

Best Dog Frisbee Discs for Playing Fetch

Looking for the perfect new frisbee to take your dog’s fetch game to the next level — or just trying to replace an old favorite toy now that it’s lost or broken? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a deep dive into some of the best dog discs available today. Read on to find one that’s perfect for your pup!

Top dog guides per area

Dog training guides

Dog reactivity guides

Sniffspot community guides

The State of Public Dog Parks Across the United States thumbnail

The State of Public Dog Parks Across the United States

From 2009 to 2020, there was a 40 percent increase in the development of public dog parks. Designated spots for canine exercise have become commonplace in every major city in North America — many pet owners won’t even consider renting an apartment that doesn’t have its own fenced-in pet area for their canine companions.

How This Family is Affording Their Dream Property Through Renting it Hourly to Dogs thumbnail

How This Family is Affording Their Dream Property Through Renting it Hourly to Dogs

Thousand Oaks, California has been a safe haven for Sniffspot host, Jen, since childhood. Having grown up in busy Santa Barbara, Jen, an introvert from an early age, would seek out solitude and serenity away from tourists attractions and droves of people visiting from elsewhere. “My grandparents own 60 acres about a 30 minute drive from here, and I grew up spending every summer and every holiday visiting them on the ranch,” Jen explained. “In Santa Barbara, we wouldn't go to the beach on the weekend because that's where everybody was, so you'd find places off the beaten path where the tourists weren't. For me, the ranch was just my happy place.” 

Host Tips: Ellen K. What Makes Sniffspot Successful for Me thumbnail

Host Tips: Ellen K. What Makes Sniffspot Successful for Me

Ellen is the host of Country Pasture Getaway, one of Sniffspot's most popular sniff spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great sniff spot host.

How this Oregon Farmer is Making a Business From Renting Her Land to Dogs thumbnail

How this Oregon Farmer is Making a Business From Renting Her Land to Dogs

Just 20 minutes outside of the busy city of Portland, Oregon, and settled right on the banks of the Columbia River, you’ll find what countless visitors have flocked to the area in search of – mountain views, crisp, clean air, and running water for miles. What you might not expect to find, however, is a hidden oasis designed just for dogs and their people, owned and operated by a farming couple and enjoyed by visitors on two legs, and four.  

Host Tips: Fran T. Providing Great Guest Service at our Spot thumbnail

Host Tips: Fran T. Providing Great Guest Service at our Spot

Fran is the host of Ranch Setting, one of Sniffspot's most popular spots. She has taken the time to write up the lessons she has learned about how to be a great Sniffspot host.

Top dog trainers in the US

The Best Dog Trainers in the United States of 2023 thumbnail

The Best Dog Trainers in the United States of 2023

Welcome to the United States Sniffspot top dog trainer list for 2023. This is a list of the top dog trainers in the United States based on votes from the Sniffspot community and the general public. Over 55,000 votes were used in compiling this list. We have only included the top trainers with sufficient votes and the trainers are ordered in terms of the number of votes received. Trainers that tied are ranked in reverse alphabetical order based on first name. All dog trainers on this list are positive reinforcement only, as defined by no force, fear, intimidation, or aversive methods used.

The Best Dog Trainers in New Jersey of 2023 thumbnail

The Best Dog Trainers in New Jersey of 2023

The Best Dog Trainers in Michigan of 2023 thumbnail

The Best Dog Trainers in Michigan of 2023

The Best Dog Trainers in Washington of 2023 thumbnail

The Best Dog Trainers in Washington of 2023

The Best Dog Trainers in Florida of 2023 thumbnail

The Best Dog Trainers in Florida of 2023

City dog parks guides

dog enrichment

Cities were not built for dogs. Dogs evolved in an open world without fences and roads where enrichment was constant and quiet, relaxation was also possible. In today's world both of these things are at a premium. But there is a movement to provide for dogs the same kinds of experiences that they evolved for.

The topics covered in this enrichment blog section include socialization, nosework, dog sports and more.

Our blog is dedicated to relevant, high quality articles with modern advice aligned with recognized dog experts. We only advocate force free training methods and will never advocate for aversive methods.

dog enrichment FAQ

What is dog enrichment, and why is it important?

Dog enrichment refers to any activity or item that stimulates your dog mentally or physically, providing them with mental and physical exercise, entertainment, and engagement. Enrichment is essential for a dog's overall well-being, as it can help prevent boredom, reduce stress, and improve behavior.

What are some examples of dog enrichment activities?

There are many ways to provide enrichment for your dog, such as playing interactive games, providing puzzle toys, giving them access to nature, training, socializing, and more. You can also enrich your dog's environment by creating a safe and stimulating space for them to explore and relax in.

Can dog enrichment help with behavior issues like reactivity?

Yes, enrichment can help prevent and reduce behavior issues like reactivity, anxiety, and aggression. By providing your dog with physical and mental stimulation, you can help them channel their energy and reduce their stress levels, which can improve their overall behavior.

What are some common signs of dog reactivity?

Dog reactivity refers to a dog's tendency to react negatively to certain stimuli, such as other dogs, people, or objects. Some common signs of dog reactivity include barking, growling, lunging, or biting when encountering a trigger. Other signs may include raised hackles, a stiff body posture, or an intense stare.

How can I help my reactive dog?

If your dog is reactive, it's important to seek professional help from a veterinarian or certified dog behaviorist. They can help you develop a behavior modification plan that includes positive reinforcement, and counter-conditioning techniques to help your dog overcome their reactivity.

Can enrichment help with dog reactivity?

Yes, providing your dog with enrichment can help reduce their reactivity by providing them with a positive outlet for their energy and reducing their stress levels. Enrichment can also help your dog build confidence and improve their overall behavior.

What are some enrichment activities for reactive dogs?

Enrichment activities for reactive dogs should be designed to provide them with mental and physical stimulation while also helping them feel safe and relaxed. Some examples of enrichment activities for reactive dogs include scent work, puzzle toys, interactive games, training exercises, and slow-paced walks in quiet, peaceful environments.