Providing your dog with the right kind of enrichment and mental engagement is hugely important for setting them up for separation anxiety training success.

There are of course all those amazing food dispensing puzzle toys such as the Kong, snuffle mat etc and also check out my friend Karen at Maher and Hound for pet gun dog training, which is fantastic enrichment specifically for those busy working breeds

And check out my friend Jemma at Milne and Mutt for scent work, which is brilliant for any dog breed.

Make it easy to begin with so your dog doesn’t get frustrated and creates a negative association with the puzzle toy. Then day by day, you can make it a bit trickier for your dog to solve the food puzzles.

Different dogs like different kind of entertainment, just like us humans. Figure out what your dog is all about - digging, shredding, nose work or all of the above?

🍪 Find It Games: hide little treats all over your home (or your garden) and get your dog to ‘find it’. Add a ‘finish’ cue so your dog doesn’t search forever and ever….

🎁 Use your recycling; from empty toilet rolls to cardboard boxes, add a few treats, close that thing up, hide it if you like to add a little extra fun.

🪢 Use your old towels: big bath towel, a few treats thrown across, roll it up then put a knot in it.

📰 Old magazine, hide a few treats amongst the pages, roll it up and tie it up with a string.

Get in touch if you’d like some more ideas or if you’re struggling to get your dog engaged.