Bored Dog? 5 Enrichment Ideas Using Lick Mats and Treat Toys
Share
Chewed shoes, nonstop barking, zooming around the house at 9 p.m. Often, these aren't signs of a "bad" dog. They're signs of a bored one. Dogs need to use their brains as well as their legs, and a few minutes of enrichment a day can make a real difference.
What is enrichment?
Enrichment is any activity that lets your dog do what dogs naturally love: sniffing, licking, chewing, and working for food. Licking and chewing in particular are calming behaviors for many dogs, which is why lick mats and treat toys are so popular.
5 easy enrichment ideas
1. Turn mealtime into a puzzle
Instead of a bowl, serve part of your dog's meal in a stuffable toy like the West Paw Toppl. Working to get the food out slows fast eaters down and keeps them busy.
2. Make a frozen lick mat
Spread a thin layer of plain yogurt, pumpkin, or wet food across a SodaPup Jigsaw Lick Mat, then freeze it. A frozen mat can keep a dog happily licking during bath time, nail trims, or when you need to take a call.
3. Give them a proper chew
Dogs who chew furniture often just need a better outlet. A tough rubber toy like the Potato Masher Chew Toy gives them something satisfying to sink their teeth into.
4. Play fetch with a twist
Balls with an unpredictable bounce make fetch more exciting and get dogs thinking. Try the WUNDERball, which also floats for water play, or the squeaky, durable SodaPup Squeak Ball.
5. Rotate toys every few days
Toys lose their magic when they're always lying around. Keep a few put away and swap them in every few days so old favorites feel new again.
A few safety tips
- Supervise your dog with any new toy or chew, and pick the right size for their mouth.
- Remove toys that are cracked, torn, or worn down to small pieces.
- Count enrichment treats as part of your dog's daily food so they don't overeat.
- Use only dog-safe fillings. Skip anything with xylitol, grapes, raisins, chocolate, or onion.
If your dog's boredom comes with destructive behavior when left alone, or signs of anxiety, talk to your vet or a certified trainer for support.