Recently, while on holiday, I had a bit of a surprising (or maybe not-so-surprising!) revelation — and I thought I’d try to gather my thoughts into a blog.
I took Honey and Kingsley away for a short break on the North Coast (we stayed at Willowfield Riverside Cabin in Aghadowey — highly recommend if you’re curious; here’s their Facebook page). We had a fantastic time.
True to form, I over-packed. The van was full of enrichment toys and treats because, of course, I wanted the dogs to have as good a time as possible — and also to give myself a chance to relax!
But honestly, I needn’t have worried. I could easily have left the toys at home. For three whole days, all of Honey and Kingsley’s needs were met — and more — simply by being out in nature.
Walks along the beach, digging in the sand, sniffing for mice and water rats (happily unsuccessful — enrichment should never come at another animal’s expense), tracking wildlife trails through long grass, foraging hedgerows, balancing on fallen trees, clambering over different surfaces… all of it gave them such joyful outlets for their natural behaviours.
And the joy I felt watching them do what came so naturally was really special. Mother Nature truly provides everything dogs need to engage their senses and instincts. While this isn’t new information to me, it was such a powerful reminder: we already have so much of what our dogs need right at our fingertips.
Now — does that mean enrichment toys are pointless? Am I talking myself out of a business here?
Not at all. As with everything, it’s not black and white — there’s nuance.
Access to nature is a privilege. Not everyone can escape to the countryside, and nature isn’t always accessible to those living with disabilities or in busy cities. Enrichment toys have huge value: they’re practical, varied, and easy to use when you need them. They’re brilliant for older dogs, puppies, dogs recovering from injury, or dogs who find the outside world overwhelming. And let’s be honest — sometimes you just need ten minutes of peace to make a phone call or get dinner sorted!
That said, I’d always encourage you to notice what nature offers your dog where you are. Get creative with what’s available. We’re lucky to have a big garden, so I often scatter feed in the grass (nature’s snuffle mat!), play a bit of “ping pong” with treats, and set up scentwork, tracking or outdoor freework sessions. Even our short walking loop from the house — less than a mile — is a sensory feast. Just this week Kingsley had the best time investigating butterflies, a fallen branch, and (to his disappointment) an empty McDonald’s bag, which I then responsibly binned.
It’s easy to feel pressured by social media to buy the newest enrichment toy in every colour, but your dog doesn’t care about whether they have the latest trending colourway. They’ll be just as happy with what’s already around you.
In fact, I try to lean on natural materials in my own enrichment offerings — from sheep’s wool and alpaca fleece shredding balls, to olive branch and root chews. I also use natural scents and materials heavily in my supported enrichment sessions. And honestly, some of my favourite moments with Honey and Kingsley are simply spent pottering around outdoors together. Touching grass is good for them — and for me too.
So — what can you and your dog do in your area with what’s naturally available? I’d love to see! Tag me in your pictures on social media!
Need some help understanding how to best meet the needs of your canine companions? Drop me an email to allaboutenrichment@gmail.com, I'd love to chat all things enrichment!