Can something as simple as a toy, a lick mat, or a quick training session really improve your dog’s well-being? Research says yes. In a study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, shelter dogs given enrichment activities twice a day spent 65% more time resting quietly after just three days.

Dogs are intelligent, active, and social animals. They’re wired to explore, solve problems, and interact with their surroundings in ways that go far beyond a quick daily walk. Without regular mental and physical stimulation, dogs can become bored, anxious, or even develop unwanted behaviors such as excessive barking or chewing furniture.

The good news is that enrichment doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming. Even small, thoughtful activities can make a big difference in your dog’s quality of life. In this guide, we’ll explain what dog enrichment is, explore the science-backed benefits, outline the different types of enrichment, and share practical ways to bring more engagement into your dog’s day.

What Is Dog Enrichment?

In animal welfare and behavioral science, enrichment refers to mentally and physically stimulating activities that allow animals to express natural behaviors such as smelling, playing, digging, running, exploring, and socializing in safe and healthy ways.

The idea originates from zoological and laboratory animal care, where enrichment programs are used to improve welfare and encourage species-typical behaviors. For dogs, enrichment means meeting mental, physical, and emotional needs through a variety of activities that are enjoyable, safe, and tailored to the individual.

Why Enrichment for Dogs Matters

Enrichment is not simply “keeping your dog busy.” It’s a way to improve both mental and physical health, backed by veterinary and behavioral research.

Science-Backed Benefits of Enrichment

Decades of research confirm that enrichment is not just “extra fun” for dogs, it’s a core component of their physical and emotional well-being.

For example, a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science compared enrichment methods for kenneled dogs and found that both toys and human interaction significantly reduced stress behaviors. When thoughtfully chosen and applied, enrichment provides dogs with a wide range of measurable benefits:

• Reduces stress and anxiety – Activities like licking, chewing, and sniffing can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation.

• Prevents boredom and destructive behavior – Dogs left without stimulation often resort to chewing furniture, excessive barking, or digging.

• Builds confidence – Mastering new challenges can improve resilience and adaptability.

• Encourages problem-solving and cognitive health – Puzzle feeders and training games exercise the brain and may help reduce cognitive decline in aging dogs.

• Supports physical fitness – Activities like agility, tug, and walks help maintain healthy weight and muscle mass.

• Strengthens the bond with humans – Shared activities deepen trust and improve communication.

Keep in mind, enrichment is most effective when dogs have agency, the ability to choose whether and how to participate, so that the experience remains positive and rewarding. With so many approaches available, from scent games to training exercises, the key is finding the right mix for your dog. In the next section, we’ll break down the different types of enrichment to help you get started!

Core Types of Dog Enrichment 

While experts sometimes break enrichment into over a dozen categories, most pet parents can focus on six main types for a balanced routine. 

1. Physical Enrichment 

• Movement-based activities that build fitness, coordination, and stamina.

• Examples: walks, fetch, tug, agility, swimming, flirt poles.

2. Sensory Enrichment 

• Engaging or calming the senses (smell, sight, sound, touch, taste). 

• Examples: sniff walks, safe plants or herbs, textured surfaces, classical music for relaxation. 

3. Food & Foraging Enrichment 

• Harnessing natural hunting and searching behaviors. 

• Examples: puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, lick mats, scatter feeding. 

• Benefits: slows eating, stimulates the brain, reduces stress. 

4. Cognitive & Training Enrichment 

• Challenging the brain with problem-solving and skill-building activities. 

• Examples: trick training, scent games, hide-and-seek. 

5. Social Enrichment 

• Positive interactions with people, other dogs, or other animals. 

• Examples: supervised playgroups, cooperative games, structured daycare sessions. 

• Note: Tailor to your dog’s comfort, some prefer human company over other dogs. 

6. Calming & Comfort Enrichment 

• Encouraging rest and emotional stability. 

• Examples: safe resting spaces, calm licking or chewing activities, petting and massage. 

By layering small opportunities for engagement into everyday activities, enrichment becomes both practical and consistent. If you’re looking for even more ways to enrich your dog’s day, PetSuites offers a wide variety of structured enrichment activities designed to keep dogs happy, healthy, and engaged!  

What Enrichment Activities Does PetSuites Offer? 

At PetSuites, we see firsthand how enrichment can transform the daycare or boarding experience for our dog guests. From shy pups gaining confidence to high-energy dogs channeling their energy productively, we offer a variety of activities designed to engage different senses, provide physical exercise, and encourage mental problem-solving.

Popular enrichment activities include: 

• Bubble Parties – A playful activity where dogs chase and pop dog-safe bubbles, encouraging exercise, coordination, and plenty of tail-wagging fun.

• Ball Pit – Great for dogs who love to dig and search, with toys or treats hidden among the balls. 

• Flirt Pole – A fast-moving lure game that satisfies chase instincts and improves agility. 

• Hide and Seek – Staff hide toys or treats for dogs to find, encouraging foraging and sniffing skills. 

• Lick and Snuffle Mats – Scent-driven and licking-based activities that promote calm focus. 

• Obstacle Course – Challenges balance, coordination, and confidence with tunnels, ramps, and platforms. 

• Puzzles – Mental challenges that require dogs to figure out how to access hidden treats. 

• Scavenger Hunt – A larger-scale search game that encourages exploration. 

• Tricks for Treats – Training sessions where dogs learn or perform tricks for rewards. 

We tailor each session to a dog’s needs and personality, ensuring they get the right mix of activity, mental challenge, and relaxation. Find a local PetSuites near you and be sure to ask our staff about enrichment activities and service add-ons to make the most of your dog’s experience. While all our enrichment options are popular, one category consistently gets rave reviews from both our staff and our guests: lick mats and lick sticks!

Soda Pup Lick Mats, Lick Sticks, and More

PetSuites partners with Soda Pup, a U.S.-based company known for safe, durable, and non-toxic dog toys, slow feeder bowls, enrichment tools, and more. Their products are a favorite among our team and the dogs we care for, especially for calming and focus-based activities. Let’s cover our two favorite enrichment tools and how they can support your dog’s wellbeing:

Soda Pup Lick Mats

• Purpose: Licking is a natural calming behavior that helps reduce stress.

• How They Work: Spread a soft treat (like peanut butter, yogurt, or canned dog food) across the textured surface to encourage slow, focused licking. Consult your vet for a complete list of foods that are suitable for your pet.

• Benefits: Promotes relaxation, keeps dogs occupied, supports oral health, and stimulates saliva for digestive health.

• Safety: Made from FDA-compliant, non-toxic materials, and manufactured in the USA. Where to find Soda Pup Lick Mats: You can shop lick mats online, in PetSuites retail stores or you can purchase enrichment add-ons for your pup at one of our many locations!

Soda Pup Lick Sticks

• Unique Feature: Combines food-based enrichment with interactive training.

• How They Work: Spread your pet’s favorite soft treat across the head of the Lick Stick, ensuring the treat is pushed down into the surface of the mat. Consult your vet for a complete list of foods that are suitable for your pet.

• Benefits: Improves focus, reinforces positive behaviors, and provides a calming licking outlet.

• Training Applications: Great for shaping precise behaviors, from targeting to moving to specific locations.

Where to find Soda Pup Lick Mats: You can shop lick sticks online, in PetSuites retail stores or you can purchase enrichment add-ons for your pup at one of our many locations!

More From Soda Pup

Beyond their enrichment tools, Soda Pup is dedicated to helping pet parents make enrichment a fun and rewarding part of everyday life. They host the Soda Pup Enrichment Lab Podcast, where experts share tips on canine health, behavior, and the science of enrichment.

Their recipes page is filled with creative, dog-safe ideas for using lick mats and lick sticks at home. You can also join their growing community by following them on Instagram and Facebook for inspiration, product news, and enrichment ideas from other dog lovers!

Final Thoughts

Enrichment is one of the most valuable gifts you can give your dog. By providing activities that challenge their mind, engage their senses, and encourage natural behaviors, you help them live a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life. Whether you experiment with DIY enrichment activities at home, explore structured activities at your local PetSuites, or utilize enrichment tools from Soda Pup, the goal is the same: to give your dog opportunities to thrive each day!

Searching for more fun guides related to caring for your dog? Be sure to explore all of our content on the PetSuites blog!