Daily Enrichment Activities for Your Dog

Even during winter, we stay active indoors. Here, I'm doing some fitness exercises with Candy and adding joint supplements to her meal to support her mobility as a senior dog with hip dysplasia.

After a stressful event like Diwali, I focus on relaxing activities. Sniffing, licking, and chewing are natural stress relievers for dogs, so I provide things like treasure hunts and chews to help them decompress.

Here are five of my favorite indoor nose work ideas. From a simple treat scatter in a toy bin to a more complex treasure hunt, these games are a fantastic way to engage your dog's powerful sense of smell.

Finally figuring out the specific way your dog likes to play is so rewarding. For Candy, it's all about this specific tug toy and a gentle game on a non-slip surface.

You don't need fancy equipment to exercise your dog at home. Using household items like a mop handle for a hurdle or a rolled-up mat for paw targeting can create a fun and effective workout.

For dogs who love to shred but also tend to eat paper, I offer safe and edible alternatives. Cabbage leaves, broccoli stalks, and carrots provide the same satisfying shredding experience without the risk.

Building better toy play starts with understanding your dog's preferences. I always let the dog show me how they want to play and ensure we're on a surface with good traction to prevent slips.

Our toy play improved dramatically after I stopped obsessing over a perfect "drop it" and added foam mats for better traction. Now Candy feels more confident and initiates play herself.

Nose work is a great way to burn off mental energy. Here are three easy games you can play, from a simple "which hand" game to hiding a favorite toy for them to find.