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Puppy chewing on dog enrichment toy

Dog Enrichment Toys: How They Improve Life for Pets

Home » Blog » Dog Enrichment Toys: How They Improve Life for Pets
July 14, 2021 by Sharon Seltzer
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • What is a dog enrichment toy?
  • A special note to people with special needs pets
  • My dogs' favorite interactive toys
  • Other popular dog enrichment toys
  • DIY enrichment games
Puppy chewing on dog enrichment toy

This will sound strange, but a quote popped into my head when a pet owner asked me about dog enrichment toys.

The quote by Teddy Roosevelt says, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” In layman terms, it means we should work with the circumstances given to us, rather than wish things were different. It applied perfectly to the pet owner’s situation.

Her German shepherd had been diagnosed with a progressive neurologic disease called Degenerative Myelopathy. His hind legs were paralyzed and he could no longer do the activities he loved, like chasing a ball. The woman worried he was becoming depressed.

I told her she was looking at her dog’s disability backwards. Instead of fixating on what her dog lost, she should focus on the activities he still enjoyed. We discussed that some of them might need to be modified, but they were doable.

To me, that’s the mission of dog enrichment toys. It gives pets, especially those with disabilities, a chance to play in a brand-new way.

Note: Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission, at not extra cost to you, if you make a purchase.

What is a dog enrichment toy?

Dog enrichment toy
Dog puzzle by Nina Ottosson

Enrichment toys are interactive games and puzzles that challenge a dog’s mind. They prevent boredom, relieve anxiety and are downright fun.

They work by allowing a dog to use their natural abilities, like their keen sense of smell, to solve a problem.

Enrichment games are popular with puppy owners who want to stop their pet from wreaking havoc in the house. And they’re a great way to keep a dog busy while their owner is at work. Enrichment toys are also a nearly perfect answer for handicapped animals.

The games and puzzles are designed to entertain and engage pups like the German shepherd with the mobility problem. Most of them don’t require a dog to run after them. They’re brain games that are made so a dog can lie on the floor and play with a toy that keeps them motivated.  

A special note to people with special needs pets

Some dogs with mobility problems easily get around on their own. In fact, if your dog has Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) I’m sure you’re wondering what all the fuss is about, keeping a dog entertained.

But if you think back to a time when your pet had spine surgery and was confined to their crate while they healed, you’ll get a glimpse into the life of other disabled animals.

Interactive games improve life for pets with:

Degenerative Myelopathy

Spinal tumors

Arthritis

Fibrocartilaginous Embolism (FCE) strokes

Wobbler Syndrome

Vestibular Disease

Crate rest

Hemivertebrae

Spina Bifida

Pug Myelopathy

My dogs’ favorite interactive toys

Two dogs playing with a snuffle mat for dogs
Olivia (L) and Bailey (R) playing with a snuffle mat.

Four of the nine dogs I’ve raised have played with enrichment games. Sophie and Cody used them because of their mobility issues. Bailey and Olivia love them as an alternative to playing fetch. We currently have 8 puzzles and I pull out two different games every night. Here are their favorites.

KONG Wobbler Food Dispenser

KONG makes lots of sturdy, chew-proof food or treat dispensing toys for dogs of all sizes and ages. Sophie and Cody loved the Wobbler best. It has a weighted bottom so no matter how hard they hit it with their paw or pushed it with their nose, the toy never moved out of their reach. It was the perfect game for dogs who can’t move around.

Snuffle Mat

This is Bailey and Olivia’s latest favorite. Snuffle mats are large cloth mats that have lots of hidden crevices to hold kibble or treats. They encourage a dog to use their sense of smell and natural foraging skills to find the hidden morsels of food. Snuffle mats come in a variety of sizes and levels of difficulty. And if you can sew, snuffle mats are an easy DIY project.

Nina Ottosson Puzzles

We love all of the interactive puzzles designed by pet mom Nina Ottosson and Outward Hound. The puzzles come in 3 levels from beginner to expert and challenge dogs to use their brain. Dogs use their mouth, nose and paws to remove obstacles, open drawers and slide barriers. You’ll be surprised how fast your dog understands how to complete the puzzle.

Other popular dog enrichment toys

Treat Ball

If your dog isn’t handicapped, there’s a plethora of treat dispensing balls that will keep your pet entertained for hours. The toys come in every size imaginable, but the goal for each is the same. Dogs must figure out the best way to remove the treat and empty the ball.

Lick Mat

This product is new to the dog enrichment toy scene. It’s an interactive game that calms a dog. Pet owners spread peanut butter or yogurt onto the mat where it seeps into the different shapes embedded in the toy. Then dogs lick the treat. Licking is a natural way for a dog to soothe themselves and lower stress and anxiety.

Hide-A-Squirrel

The goal of this fun enrichment game is to pull six stuffed animal squirrels out of a tree trunk. The toy is made for small dogs who want to explore their natural hunting instincts.

Sit down tug-of-war

Dogs love to play tug-of-war. This game from Elopaw is for large breed dogs who love to chew. It has two suction cups that anchor a tug-of-war rope to the ground. Dogs are then free to pull and tug on the toy at the end other end.  

Good old-fashioned chew toy

We’re fans of Benebone dog chew toys. It’s a great toy, not a digestible treat, for aggressive chewers. Each Benebone has real bacon baked into it so dogs want to chew it for hours.

DIY enrichment games

Muffin tin
A muffin tin can turn into a DIY dog puzzle.

If you’re handy there are lots of enrichment games you can make at home. Use your imagination as your guide.

Toys like snuffle mats are easily sewn together. And you can create your own interactive puzzle with a muffin tin. Place a tasty treat in the bottom of the muffin tin. Then place a tennis ball over each mold to cover the treats. Your dog will have fun removing the tennis balls and gobbling up the kibble or cookies underneath.

DIY nose work

My dogs play a game we call “Find It.” Small treats are hidden on the floor in the kitchen or living room or the backyard, while the dogs stay in another closed off area. When everything is hidden, the dogs are shown which rooms to explore. They’re released and told to “find it.” The dogs run up and down every inch of the area sniffing the scent until they find the delicious prizes.

If there’s a favorite interactive game your dog plays, please share it in the comment section. I’d love to know how you enrich the life of your pet.

About Sharon Seltzer

I’m a blogger, professional writer and co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society. I’m also a pet mom who’s raised 9 dogs, 6 cats and lots of other critters. When my dog Sophie became paralyzed in 2008, it was a lonely experience. It took months to find all of the resources to help her live a quality life. My mission is to share those services with other pet owners and to teach people how to care for a disabled dog.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jenn Snell

    July 15, 2021 at 7:30 pm

    I love these toys! The tug of war suction is genius. I can’t wait to try the muffin tin game! Thanks for the great ideas. Keep them coming!

    Reply
    • Sharon Seltzer

      July 15, 2021 at 11:26 pm

      Jenn, It makes me so happy that you liked reading about the enrichment games. I thought the tug of war game was genius too. – Sharon

      Reply
  2. Carol Landt

    July 17, 2021 at 6:03 pm

    Thank you for some great fun new ideas. Mine get tired of the same stuff. Have you seen a snuffle mat pattern? I might try (fun for the human) to make one!

    Reply
    • Sharon Seltzer

      July 17, 2021 at 9:33 pm

      Carol, I haven’t seen a pattern, but I’ve seen pictures of Snuffle mats pet owners have made and they look great. You can make it as simple or intricate as you want. Here’s a link to a video from the Animal Humane Society https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/news/how-make-snuffle-mat – Sharon

      Reply
  3. Paula Gleicher

    July 17, 2021 at 7:37 pm

    I got two of the Nina Ottoson puzzles. Freddy is a little stumped by them but I help him find the goodies. I need to try the muffin tin one.

    Reply
    • Sharon Seltzer

      July 17, 2021 at 9:30 pm

      It took time for my dogs to catch on with some of the Ottosson puzzles. Tell Freddy to hang in there, I’m sure he’ll figure them out.

      Reply

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DogWheelchairLife.com is a blog that teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. As the owner, I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and the Amazon Influencer Program. These are affiliate programs designed for sites to earn advertising fees (commissions) by linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate and Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, visit the Affiliate Disclosure page

We Are A Resource for Pet Owners

Dog Wheelchair LIFE teaches pet families how to care for their paralyzed dog. This is not a medical site and I am not a veterinarian. I am a blogger and pet mom who was the caretaker for Sophie, a paraplegic dog. I’m also a co-founder of the Heaven Can Wait Animal Society in Las Vegas, NV and an animal writer who has contributed to websites and magazines.

The information shared on this site is based on my personal experience and the research I do for each story. Please do not use the content from this blog in place of professional veterinary care.

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