What is Enrichment

The Dog Field Study found sniffing has a direct impact on a dog's pulse rate.  By giving your dog time to sniff while out on a walk it can reduce their pulse rate, with more intense sniffing reducing it further.  By adding length to their lead this increases the amount of time your dog will spend sniffing, with a dog off lead spending the most.  Statistics from the study state dogs on a long lead (5 metres) spend 280% more time sniffing when compared to a short lead (1.5 metres); with 330% more time sniffing when off lead.  When your dog becomes calm and relaxed this impacts their heart rate by reducing it, and consequently their pulse rate.  Thus slowing down and stopping during your walk would allow your dog to sniff, and by varying walks and taking your dog to new locations this will also provide environmental enrichment for them.  

Scent makes up a large part of a dog’s sensory world; building confidence and coping skills as more understanding is gained.  Time spent analysing odours lowers the pulse, as raised above, and could also promote cognitive function. 

Your dog builds up a picture of its environment by sniffing and Alexandra Horowitz writes "As we see the world, the dog smells it ..... The world of scent is at least as rich as the world of sight".     

To maintain and support the lining of your dog's nose Vitamin A will certainly be beneficial and can be found in a number of foods, including herbs.

 As sniffing is mentally stimulating for your dog, allowing your dog a period of “down-time” after a lot of sniffing interaction would be very beneficial.  

 Licking and chewing are soothing in their actions for dogs. 

Licking has been cited as promoting relaxation for dogs and cats, due particularly to the release of endorphins (feel-good chemicals) and often LickiMats are useful in a variety of situations.  Consequently, stressful situations may trigger excessive licking and grooming, though not exclusively, and other causes should be ruled out by your vet.  

Chewing also has a calming effect for dogs, releasing Serotonin and Dopamine, giving dogs a tool to “self-medicate” when anxious or stressed, and hard chews such as antler, or yak chews may be beneficial, though you should always consider how your dog would interact and  and whether these would be  appropriate for them.  

Chewing may also be useful for cats too, particularly supporting good dental health, and silver vine sticks may be beneficial.  

Stress and tension can be carried through the jaws and shoulders of dogs, and should you encounter this it may be beneficial to offer a soft chew initially to relax the muscles, after which a harder chew could be offered.