Dog breeders talk a lot about puppy “enrichment.” But what is it?
There are actually three forms of enrichment for puppies and dogs: passive (toys), active (problem solving, learning), and exercise. All three are different but they work together in the brain and leverage each other.
Most breeders primarily use passive enrichment by giving their puppies lots of toys and fun things to play with/climb on. Puppy Culture, however, teaches breeders to tap into the power of active enrichment.
What’s so special about active enrichment? Many things! First, it enables the puppy to develop emotional stability, which is the ability to recover easily from fear and stress and to view new things and challenges as opportunities for positive enrichment rather than to be feared or avoided.
Active enrichment also gives puppy a voice of its own in order to communicate with humans, as well as the desire to seek out the company of both dogs and humans as emotionally positive experiences.
What does active enrichment look like? It involves things like daily giving the litter new items/textures, new experiences/challenges/places, new sounds, and so much more. The photo shows spice rack "steps" that have been made "new" again simply by putting fabric over them.
One can really get creative with it especially since literally everything is new to tiny baby puppies.The results are worth all the effort!
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