My Top 3 Favorite Enrichment Activities for Anxious Dogs

Proper exercise and enrichment is paramount for all dogs to live happy, fulfilled lives and while variety is best when it comes to enrichment, dogs suffering from anxiety, such as separation anxiety, may especially benefit from activities that promote relaxation and calmness to help lower their stress levels. This can be a great adjunct to quality force-free training and is relatively simple to implement. These enrichment activities don’t require much time, money or effort from you for your dog to reap the benefits!

*Enrichment alone will not be enough for most dogs to overcome their anxiety disorders, especially if they’re suffering from separation anxiety. If your dog suffers from anxiety, I recommend reaching out to a qualified, reward-based professional for help.

1.) Sniffing

Sniffing may be one of the most underrated enrichment activities out there, and it’s a favorite pastime for many dogs. For far too long we were led to believe that allowing dogs to sniff on walks was wrong. That the walk was solely to provide physical exercise and sniffing was a problem to discourage. But did you know that sniffing can often tire a dog out as much, if not more, than a walk where they aren’t allowed to sniff (Don’t take my word for it, give it a try for yourself!)?

The benefits don’t end there, though. For anxious dogs, the goal is not just to tire them out. The goal is to help them relax and decompress, so they’re better equipped to deal with life’s stressors (yes, dogs have their own life stressors, even without bills to pay or bosses to answer to) and sniffing is one of the best ways for a dog to de-stress. In fact, there was a study done that showed sniffing can actually reduce a dog’s heart rate!

How to Implement:

To get the most relaxation potential out of sniffing adventures, choose calm, quiet environments for your dog to explore with their nose such as dog friendly fields, trails, parks and beaches. Try to pick locations without a lot of foot traffic or other dogs (especially if your dog is reactive). This will help your dog feel safe enough to explore and “unwind” without worrying about what’s going on around them (think of it like trying to meditate or do yoga in the middle of Times Square in New York City vs. a quiet, secluded area). Keep your dog on leash if the area isn’t fenced, but let your dog lead the way, and choose the pace (if they want to sniff one spot for 10 straight minutes, resist the urge to coax them along).

You can also promote sniffing in your own backyard by scattering treats for your dog to seek out and on days when the weather doesn’t allow for an outdoor adventure, you can use a snuffle mat indoors or play “hide and seek” with treats hidden around your house. Scent work classes are also available in many areas and may be a fun and relaxing sport to take up with your dog.

2.) Chewing

Chewing can reduce stress and anxiety in dogs because the act of chewing can release endorphins in the brain that promote calmness. This may be one reason why dogs who suffer from separation anxiety often engage in destructive chewing (destroying furniture, rugs or even door frames) when left alone. It’s not that they’re trying to be disobedient or misbehave, it’s that they’re trying to cope with the stress and anxiety they’re feeling in one of the only ways they know how to. By providing appropriate items for your dog to chew on, you can help reduce their stress and prevent destructive chewing.

How to Implement:

Provide a variety of safe, appropriately-sized chew toys for your dog such as bully sticks, dental sticks or stuffed Kongs. Be sure to supervise your dog and discard any chew toys/items that may become a choking hazard. For bully sticks, invest in a “bully stick holder” to prevent the chew stick from getting small enough for your dog to swallow. Rotate out which chew stick your dog gets from time to time so that the enrichment item always stays novel and enticing.

Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog anything ingestible and keep children and other animals away from your dog while they’re eating or chewing on an enrichment item for safety.

3.) Licking

Like chewing, licking can be relaxing for dogs by releasing calming hormones that reduce stress and anxiety. In fact, there have been several dog products that have come onto the market in recent years specifically focused on toys that promote licking. These “lick mats” are a favorite amongst Fear Free Trainers and Veterinarians due to the positive effect they have on dog’s stress levels and mental health.

How to Implement:

Any soft, spreadable, dog-safe food works (if you’re using peanut butter, be sure it’s xylitol free). Some popular picks from dogs I’ve worked with include wet dog food, sugar free pumpkin or sweet potato puree, plain Greek yogurt, and all natural applesauce. Spread the food onto the lick mat and then I recommend freezing the lick mat to make it last longer. Be sure to supervise your dog for safety and make sure they aren’t ingesting the mat itself.

There are many different types of lick mats available on the market, and you can also make your own with a baking sheet or muffin tin. Remember to always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog anything ingestible and keep children and other animals away from your dog while they’re engaged with their enrichment item for safety.

Less Stress, Better Mental Health

Incorporating activities that promote sniffing, chewing and licking into your dog’s day-to-day routine can have a positive impact on their overall mental health. While the goal should always be to minimize stress in your dog’s life, some stressful events are unavoidable such as grooming, vet visits or thunderstorms. Utilizing calming activities during and/or after these events can help your dog cope better, decompress faster and have a positive impact on their overall well-being.

With wags and aloha,

Cori- Certified Separation Anxiety Trainer (CSAT)