My dog Pepper is an easygoing senior who loves bedtime. I’m sure his treat is part of it, but he also likes us all settling down for the night. He loves short walks, during which he gets to sniff a lot.
And he’s thrilled to see the horse that lives in a field nearby (he used to be afraid of horses, so this still means extra treats). Lots of dogs would like these things, but they’re Pepper’s favourites.
When we think about how to upgrade a dog’s life, we can take what we know is important for dogs in general, and then tailor it to our individual dog’s likes.
1. Improve their 'scentwork'
The general rule of enrichment is that it should involve the animal’s most important sense. For dogs, that’s smell. Dogs who do scentwork are more optimistic than those who engage in other activities that involve rewards.
This was shown in research published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, where scientists assigned dogs to a two-week group class, with homework in either scentwork or heelwork, and had them do a judgment bias test before and after.
The test sees how quickly dogs respond to an ambiguous bowl placed between locations they know either always or never contain food (the idea is that an optimistic dog will expect food and get there sooner).
For off-lead walks let dogs use their noses. For on-lead walks, slow down and let them sniff, even if it makes the walk longer.
You could also try: scattering treats in a safe spot of grass and letting your dog use her nose to find them; getting or making a snuffle mat (a rug with long, thick pile to hide treats in); hiding treats around the house when your dog isn’t looking; or taking scentwork classes, which are suitable even for reactive dogs that may overreact to certain stimuli or situations in a way that’s often confused with aggression.
2. Use a variety of treats
Improve the rewards you’re using in training. Using food as positive reinforcement is the best way to train a dog, but don’t make the mistake of using kibble. Try a variety of treats and human foods like chicken, roast beef or cheese.
Scientists have shown that dogs are speedier to get to a bowl they know contains a piece of sausage than to one containing a piece of kibble. So don’t think they aren’t paying attention to the rewards you’re using.
Although some dogs have a single preferred treat, most like variety over time. Play, such as a quick game of tug, can be a great reward for some dogs.
If you’re not using reward-based training, it’s time to make the change. Leash jerks, yelling, prong and shock collars are all associated with risks to your dog’s welfare.
3. Make playtime social
If your dog likes other dogs, find opportunities for dog-dog play, maybe with specific doggy friends. Play is important for dogs, especially when they’re young. Ideally, puppies will have carefully supervised play sessions in puppy class. Play helps puppies learn how to bite gently and develop other motor skills.
Play fulfils important social functions too. If you watch dogs playing, you’ll notice some of the signs like a bounce in their step, a gorgeous play face expression and a ‘play bow’ (front legs down on the ground, bum up in the air).
You’ll also see changes in activities, as the dog that was being chased becomes the one doing the chasing, and so on. Older dogs play less, are less tolerant of full-on play and may prefer to just hang out with another dog rather than wrestle or chase.
If your dog doesn’t like unknown dogs, stick to meeting dogs that you know your dog already likes. And if they don’t like other dogs at all, make more time for play with you instead – also a great way to fulfill their need for play.
4. Give your dog a safe space
Give your dog a safe space to go when they want to chill out and relax. It could be a dog bed in a quiet spot or a crate with the door always open. It’s especially important in homes with children or if your dog is shy or fearful.
Make sure everyone in the household knows the rule: the dog can come and go from their spot as they wish and no one will bother them. If you need to get them out of their safe space, don’t go to them; instead, call them over to you.
5. Get a decent dog bed
Dogs sleep a lot, so it’s worth investing in good dog beds. They’ll no doubt like your sofa and bed too, so ignore the old myths and decide for yourself if you want them on the furniture.
Old dogs sleep more than adults and may suffer from issues like arthritis, so may need a bed that’s lower to the ground (easier to step into) and steps or a ramp to access furniture.
6. Discover your dog's preferences
Great tip: do more things with your dog that you both enjoy. Do they like fetch, tug or chasing games? They might like to play with the flirt pole (like a cat’s wand toy, but for dogs) as it engages their predatory instincts.
Does your dog prefer a walk through the forest or a visit to a park with a pond they can splash in? Maybe they would simply like to accompany you on errands or cuddle on the sofa while watching TV.
Preferences can be individual and we can’t assume a dog likes something, so think carefully about what gets your dog’s tail wagging. Engaging in joint activities and spending time together is one way to improve the dog-human bond.
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