DIY Toys
While purchasing enrichment toys can be the easiest solution, it's not always the most financially accessible, or the most fun. For those wanting to try their hands (or paws) at some DIY options for toys and feeding enrichment, this page is for you!
As always, we recommend the supervised use of toys at all times. Not every option is appropriate for every dog. If you have questions about matching your pooch to the right play thing, contact us for some help!
Image Coming Soon!
Muffin Tin with Tennis Balls:
Using a muffin/cupcake tin, use as many tennis balls as there are spots for muffins in your tin. In random tins, hide a couple of treats, or, pieces of kibble. Now, place a tennis ball in every tin, and let your dog go wild! This is a great game to work your pup's noggin, or even feed their entire meal. If you're living with a hoover-pooch, this is a great way to help slow down their eating as well.
Image Coming Soon!
Tube Time:
Using a cardboard tube from an empty toilet paper/paper towel roll, fold one end so that it's mostly closed. Toss in a handful of kibble and a couple yummy treats, and fold the other end. Toss it to your dog, and watch them gleefully shred the roll to get the treats! This activity directs your dog's natural instinct to shred/chew, in a more appropriate direction. We've found it's pretty easy to vacuum up the small bits afterwards.
*This activity is messy, and not suitable for dogs with a history of consuming inedible items.
Image Coming Soon!
Flip the Dish:
Taking a clean plastic container (takeout dish, butter container, food storage containers, etc), place some treats or kibble on the floor. Turn the container upside down, and let your pup figure out how to flip it over and eat the treats! You can increase the difficulty of this one by using different surfaces, and adding more containers to flip, some of which are hiding treats, and some that aren't.
Add even more difficulty by weighing down the container with a heavy object that needs to be moved, like a large kong, a heavy toy, or a can of dog food.
Image Coming Soon!
Towel Roll Game:
Using a clean towel (or hand towel, kitchen towel, or washcloth, depending on the size of your dog), lay the towel flat. Sprinkle some kibble from their daily meal, or small treats. Fold towel in thirds, lengthwise, then sprinkle a few more pieces of food along the length. Now, roll your towel up tightly, occasionally sprinkling in larger pieces of snacks and/or small toys & chews, so you have a layered and tightly rolled puzzle toy. If it’s their first time, show your pup how to gently nudge the towel to unroll their goodies!
Image Coming Soon!
Snuffle Box:
One of my personal favorites, a snuffle box is a great way to bring your daily adventures home for your pup- ideal for bad weather, or dogs that aren’t able to get out and about as much. A snuffle box is pretty simple- keep a cardboard box in your car, and when you come across a stick, large rock, neat leaf etc, pop it in the box! You can even add some smelly shirts or socks, if you changed clothes while out of the house. Think of it like a photo album, for their nose!
