Struggling to find creative ways to keep your dog entertained?

Regular exercise for a dog is critical to keeping them physically and mentally fit.

With all the rain we have received these past few months however, it can be challenging to get outside and exercise with your dog.

News flash…you do not have to walk your dog daily. Yes, you heard that right. Breathe and give yourself a break.

Niki French, professional U.K. dog trainer, and founder of Pup Talk and Twickenham Dog Services, recently offered a presentation entitled STOP! Walking Your Dog, which shared practical, fun, and easy ways to train your dog and help them (and you) live a calmer, happier life.

Dog owners often feel pressure to walk their dogs every day, but the reality is that it is not always possible.

Canine enrichment stimulates your dog’s brain and helps to improve their mental health and cognitive functions. Many canine behavior problems can be attributed to a lack of enrichment and mental stimulation. By engaging your dogs’ other senses…hearing, taste, and smell…you can offer your dog engaging activities and exercise that may stop behavior problems caused by your dog being bored.

Even better, mental games and activities are easy to create using common items found around your home. No need to buy plastic toys or items they may chew up and then find their way to the landfill.

Instead of walking in the rain, keep your dog engaged with this mentally stimulating, boredom-buster activity.

Collect the items listed below and follow our “recipe” for a fun and rewarding experience for you and your dog.

Gather the following items from around your home to create a “snuffle box”:

• Laundry basket, cardboard box, or another similar sized container (depending on your dog’s size)
• Tinfoil, crumple a few pieces into balls
• Toilet paper or paper towel cardboard rolls
• Small treats or dog food
• Old socks
• Shredded paper
• Balls of different shapes and sizes
• Baby blanket or kitchen towel, you can also use a few washcloths if needed

Take the items listed above and place them into your laundry basket or container. Add enough items to cover the bottom of the laundry basket. You can also add an extra layer of items for more advanced snufflers. Once assembled, sprinkle treats throughout the container and invite your dog to engage with the activity.

For safety purposes, be sure to monitor your dog during this exercise.

A homemade snuffle box is the perfect mental enrichment on days you are unable to get outside for physical exercise due to weather or lack of daylight.

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