Origin of dogs in a nutshell.

Dogs were not always domesticated but the complicated history of canine domestication goes right back to ancient times. This was due to our ancestors needing help with herding, hunting, security and for some, a food source. In return for their service, the dogs were also given food, shelter and protection. Evidence suggests the co-existence between man and dog started a long time before the relationship that we have developed with dogs in modern times.

It is important to understand that just because they lived and worked with us, this didn’t make them domesticated in the sense of a companion animal. They were bread and trained to work alongside us and that is where we started to shape them in to the vast variety of breeds we have today through selective breeding. They trained them for the jobs that needed doing and this is how we developed different categories of dogs, such as gun dogs, hounds, terriers and working dogs.

Research suggests that dogs descended from wolves around 100,000 years ago. Although there is much debate over the date of domestication to a companion animal, one thing all scientists agree on is that canines and humans lived alongside each other for thousands of years. The earliest confirmed case of a domestic dog dates back 14,000 years to a burial site in Germany (Bonn-Oberkassel).

The kennel club use 7 categories of ‘purebread’ dog and these are decided by their original purpose. Gun Dog, Toy Dog, Utility Dog, Hound Dog, Terrier and Working Dog.

What does that have to do with enrichment?

Although they have been domesticated for thousands of years, their instincts are still strong and they have a desire to practice these behaviours whether or not they have been trained to do it. For example, if you buy a border collie puppy from a private home where mum and dad have not come from a working sheepdog line, chances are high that it will still try to round up the children in the school playground because it is ingrained in their DNA.

All dogs need to be able to practice their natural behaviours as well as learn the routines of the household they are being bought into. Imagine being in a covid-19 lockdown with no-one in the house for company. No games, no way to get out of the house, no access to food, the toilet or entertainment until the end of the day. Then someone comes home from work and decides for you when you will go out, how long and where you go, who you can say hello to, what you will eat and how much. Soon after, they go to bed, get up in the morning and go to work again leaving you alone for 8-12 hours. It isn’t hard to see how frustration and boredom can quickly build in a dog that wants to run, play, sniff, hunt, patrol and protect.

Dogs closest cousins, the wolves and foxes, are spending all day running around hunting, foraging and using their brains but domestic dogs are unable to do that in ‘domesticated captivity’. A dog that is frustrated and bored is more likely to show negative behaviours such as chewing, pacing, barking, toileting indoors, depression and self harming through mutilation.

They could also become over stimulated when you are home, behaving like a coiled spring that gets overly excited at the chance to interact with you. These dogs are likely to jump up, scratch, mouth and be boisterous.

We can do things to enable our dogs to feel settled and behave in a controlled manner through enrichment and training resulting in calmer well-mannered pets. 15 minutes of mental stimulation is the equivalent of 45 minutes of physical exercise when it comes to energy expended.

5 types of canine enrichment

Enrichment focuses on reducing an animal’s stress levels whilst increasing emotional wellbeing. Here we discuss 5 different types of enrichment. Not every dog is the same so you should take the time to work out what your dog enjoys and requires.

Cognitive enrichment

Puzzle games, scent work and ‘find it’ games are a great way to engage your dog in activities based in problem solving ending in a reward for the dog. For example, a snuffle mat with treats hidden in it provides your dog with the challenge of finding the treat and the instant reward. A toy like a kong, filled with peanut butter or cream cheese takes longer to complete, meaning the challenge of getting every last bit also encourages settled calm behaviour at the same time.

“Find it” games can start simply with treats hidden in a room for the dog to find and progress to other rooms or even out and about.

You can freeze toys and treats in a block of water too, great game for the summer! The dog has to work hard to release the items and it will keep them cool at the same time.

Sensory Enrichment

Usually started with puppies at an early age with different textures and types of toys, this can be explored throughout your dog’s life. Sensory enrichment it aimed at stimulating the 5 senses.

Scent – Fill an old bird feeder with old used socks, sheep wool or horse hair that you find on a walk, or plant hers such as lavender and mint. Place it around your garden for your dog to find. Change the scents regularly to keep it interesting for your dog but do always check that it is suitable for dogs, especially if they could ingest it.

When you are walking your dog and it wants to stop and smell everything, allow it as much as you can as this is where the dog is learning lot of new information about what is going on in the neighbourhood. Their sense of smell is so much more advanced than ours, with 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about six million in humans.

Hearing – New objects that make noises are great to introduce during the development of puppies. Many playlists and cd’s are now available that include noises of trains, cars, washing machines, fireworks and thunder for example. These are great to get your dog used to noises they may come across in their lives that we don’t want them to be scared of. By playing them on a low volume level to start with, the dog becomes accustomed to hearing the noises as a normal occurrence.

Many studies have been undertaken in regards to playing music for dogs, and dogs who listened to classical music cd’s for dogs were found to have more rest time and reduced stress levels. Leaving a radio on for you dog is a great way to give them some sound enrichment but to be aware of the volume level. It does not need to be on loud to have an impact.

Nutritional Enrichment

Dogs naturally forage for food and playing games where foraging is encouraged can combine multiple types of enrichment in one go. You can hold back some of the dogs daily food rations and use them in foraging games.

Imagine being fed the same meal every day for your entire life. BORING! See if you can find different flavours of food – check with your vet that it is a suitable diet for your dog first. If you can find a brand of dog food that your dog likes and they do a few different flavours, you can be certain that the dietary value will be of the same quality. Changing the flavour of the food now and then will keep your dog interested.

Provide different textures of treats for your dog. From hot dog sausages that are soft and squidgy to jerky that it hard and takes a while to get through, to special dog ice cream, providing different treats will benefit your dog. Feed your dog from different bowls, for example, a slow feeder or treat ball. This will encourage them to interact with their surroundings more to get the treats they crave.

Chewing releases endorphins in dogs and is a great way to relieve stress. If you are around to supervise your dog, give them a chew that they have to work to devour! Never leave your dog unsupervised with chews that may become a hazard.

Games are easy to create and fun to explore. Meal times can be fun and challenging to your dog and slow them down if they like to hover their food too quickly!

Toy Enrichment

Your dog may have a favourite toy that it likes to carry around, or a favourite ball, but you can still add in other items to encourage play. It is good a good idea to be able to swap and change the toys around often so that they don’t become bored with them. Change them over weekly to excite your dog with the toy coming back after a break and keeping them inspired and excited. You do not have to buy them new toys every week, instead have a few shoeboxes with a variety of toys in that you can bring out and exchange whilst the others go through the wash!

Make your own toys… It doesn’t have to be expensive. Knot an old tea towel and hide treats inside. The dog will have to figure out how to get the treats. Its adios to the tea towel but will keep them occupied for a little while!

Physical Enrichment.

Enhancing your dogs living space by adding or changing items they can interact with will have a huge impact on their wellbeing. Providing safe places such as an indoor kennel or fort will give your dog places to go and relax in.

Sand pits for them to dig in or paddling pools where they can ‘bob for hot dogs’ provides a fun change of pace for a dog and allows them to use their natural behaviours in a domesticated world.

Task: look around your home, make a toy for your dog using only items you already have. Here are some suggestions for you.

Use plastic cups to hide treats under.

Hide treats in a baking tray and cover them with tennis ball halves.

Make a rummage box.

Make a home-made treat dispenser.

Make a den for your dog.

Make an obstacle course for your dog.