By Suzanne Denk, Animal Enrichment Specialist
The simplest way to provide enrichment – an environment that is varied and stimulating – is to take your dog for a walk. Walks are important to provide physical activity, but the length and pace of your walk depends on whether you have an Alaskan Husky or a Maltese. But, a walk can offer much more than exercise. A leisurely walk to make choices, explore new territory or sniff a fire hydrant gives a dog the opportunity to engage in rewarding behaviors.
We ask our dog to follow our daily routines without choice. On a walk, there are many opportunities for us to safely give them choices that build confidence, provide opportunities to think and to explore the space around them. Let your dog choose if you turn left or right or cross the street. Providing enrichment means offering an activity that your dog wants to engage in, so let them set the pace for their own enjoyment!
My dog often walks ahead of me but it is not an issue of discipline. She is not a competitive show dog who must walk straight and tall by my side. If I follow her, it does not mean she is in charge. Her little ears are floppy, my leash is loose, her tail is relaxed and she regularly looks back at me to make sure I am coming along which shows the animal-human bond we share. She is happy and the walk is for her!
When possible, drive to another neighborhood, a park or unique location such as a strip mall early in the morning. A new location provides all kinds of stimulation to occupy your dog’s mind and nose.
A dog’s number one sense is their ability to smell. Depending on the breed, dogs have at least 125 million sensory cells in their nose compared to humans who have about 5-10 million. This means our dogs live in a very different sensory world and opportunities to sniff can be very fulfilling. If your dog wants to stop walking, pause and sniff, be sure to let them have this exciting experience. Don’t rush them. After all, the walk is for them. Let them sniff!