Are you ready for the 5th September?
This day founded in 2018 by Sarah-Jane White of Ruffle Snuffle® has been created to raise awareness of the importance of enrichment by encouraging everyone to share ideas for improving the wellbeing of our dogs through enrichment games and ideas.
Our dogs are lucky to live in a modern world where behaviourial science studies have helped us understand more about our four-legged friends than ever before.
Enrichment not only allows our dogs to be themselves but can help offset problems that lead to behaviour issues, such as separation anxiety.
Studies have shown that you can lower the stress levels in your dog with activities of moderate to high intensity.
These activities encourage your dog to learn more efficiently, increases their problem-solving abilities and will lead to a more emotionally balanced and confident dog.
Enrichment covers many angles of your dogs life including:
- Physical: Exercise, games, sports
- Social: New faces and new places
- Cognitive: Puzzles, brain games
- Environment: Homes, gardens, walks, parks, forest
- Sensory: Taste, smell, hear, touch, see
On September 5th every year you can join us in our mission to promote a range of enrichment ideas for our dogs through sharing photos and tips of your favourite toys, games and walks.
How to take part
Get involved by sharing your dog’s favourite enrichment activity and joining us online using #canineenrichmentday on social media.
Ideas on what to share:
- What’s your dog’s favourite toy? Share your dog with their favourite toy on your social media using the hashtag #caninenrichmentday
- What games do you like to play? Share your DIY toys and game ideas helping to inspire other owners to give enrichment a try.
- Where are your favourite walks? Go on a sniffari and share you photos
- Try a new enrichment activity with your dog and make Canine Enrichment Day an excuse to play together
- Take part in our 30 Days of Enrichment Challenge ( Starts 1st September) Sign up here.
- Why not take some enrichment games to your local animal rescue centre, or volunteer as a dog walker for them?
Come over to our Facebook page and post your enrichment day fun to the page for everyone to see!
Stuck for ideas? Check out our 100 tricks you can teach your pets and 100 DIY toys and we have a whole Enrichment section.
Website and social media links:
Official hashtag: #CanineEnrichmentDay
Contact details: Sarah-Jane White, Ruffle Snuffle®
Website: www.nationalcanineenrichmentday.com
There are five main categories of enrichment which are: sensory, cognitive, environmental, social and physical. I believe that we, the dog owners, have a responsibility to seek out and provide these enrichment opportunities for our best friends.”
Sarah-Jane White, Animal Behaviourist and Enrichment Expert
