Implementing Environmental Enrichment for Dogs – CRONEY RESEARCH GROUP
CRONEY RESEARCH GROUP – Funded by WORLD PET ASSOCIATION and PET FOOD INSTITUTE
Environmental enrichment is a concept that describes how the environments of captive animals can be changed for the benefit of the inhabitants. It seeks to enhance the quality of animal care by increasing behavioral diversity, reducing the frequency of abnormal behaviors, increasing the range or number of normal behavior patterns, increasing positive utilization of the environment, and increasing the ability of the animal to cope with challenges in a more normal way (Newberry, 1995; Tarou & Bashaw, 2007). Enrichment is important for canine well-being by helping to keep dogs in good physical and psychological condition Five types of enrichment can be used to enhance an animal’s quality of life — social, occupational, physical, sensory, and nutritional. Different forms of enrichment work separately and together to improve the welfare of dogs.
Garvey M, Stella J, Croney C. (2016, March). Implementing Environmental Enrichment for Dogs. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/VA/VA-13-W.pdf?_ga=2.139656691.1115996158.1616764053-812871525.1561580248
Photo: iStock.com/NeilLockhart
View ResourceTopic(s): Breeder Resource, Enrichment, Enrichment - Safety & Welfare Considerations, Enrichment, Stress & Improved Welfare, Types of Enrichment