I often see people providing what they feel is enrichment in a manner that does not necessarily feel stimulating in a positive way to the dog. Let's take the slow-feeder bowls, for instance. The design is to slow dogs down in feeding so they are not gulping down food and causing digestive upset. They are not inherently enriching to the dog, as they do not serve the purpose of providing mental stimulation for most dogs with any degree of intelligence. There is no thinking process really, and it can just serve to frustrate the dog.
In order to answer this question, we need to take a lot into account.
What are your dog's inherent breed traits?
What are your dog's capabilities?
What is your dog's tolerance for frustration?
What is your dog's experience with solving puzzles?
Think about the things your dog was selectively bred to do. Herding dogs will have a tendency to prefer herding games. Terriers will love a chase and something they can grab and shake. Scent hounds will prefer games where they have to sniff out the treat. Providing puzzles for their everyday food with these traits in mind will keep them engaged and drain their mental energy 2x faster than physical exercise.
Take your dog's capabilities into account as well. An adolescent dog is going to have a lot more stamina and drive than an older dog generally speaking (although I know quite a few spunky seniors). A dog with a torn ACL is going to need a much different activity than a dog that has no injury. A dog just out of surgery is going to need recuperative activity with limited mobility.
Your dog's tolerance for frustration is a very individual attribute. A puppy may not have a lot of tolerance for a lower rate of reinforcement. So finding games that are easy, with a higher rate of reinforcement is an excellent place to start. You can always ramp up the degree of difficulty as they get better at it.
And that brings me to my final point. A dog with a lot of experience with problem-solving will be happier with more difficulty in their puzzles. So many times I hear pet parents buying expensive puzzle toys and within a few days their dog has it all figured out and does not find it challenging any more. Hardly money well spent. By that same token, if the dog has very little experience with problem-solving, they may well find it too frustrating and walk away.
There are some toys that should always be in a dog's toy box and will appeal to MOST dogs.
Classic Kong - I always recommend the black ones as they are the toughest and always an appropriately sized one. We don't want to present a choking hazard, but at the same time, if the dog can fit their lower jaw into it, it can get stuck in there. Stuffing it with things your dog finds delicious and giving it in the afternoon in their kennel or when you want them to chill is wonderful. Licking and chewing releases natural calming endorphins. You can freeze them overnight for dogs with a higher tolerance for frustration that don't need continuous reinforcement.
Snuffle Mat - Most dogs are equipped with a nose with 100 million scent receptors. This makes most dogs able to forage and sniff their reinforcement out. I have met very few dogs that didn't enjoy a good snuffle.
Using your dogs every day meal as an opportunity to provide mental stimulation and an outlet for their natural behaviours is going to be a net benefit to all. For all ages, for all breeds, for all dogs, giving them enrichment opportunities equals quality of life and will change as your dogs age and manage different challenges. Having a variety of puzzles for your dog is a really idea and making them at home from the things you have around the house is always great to keep costs down. If you need some ideas, try our resource on enrichment here -----> Environmental Enrichment
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