Enrich The Canine

06/02/2026

One day last week, the weather decided spring was overrated and jumped straight to summer🌞🥵

On our way home from work (where Baloney gets to come with me every day, one of the many reasons I love my job!), we stopped for a little walk and potty break.

Usually he's pretty unbothered by the sun, but this time he was giving me the saddest squinty eyes 🥺 His eyes were even starting to water, and he stopped walking to check in with me.

I could tell what he was trying to say, so naturally, I took off my sunglasses and put them on him 😎

At first he wasn't quite sure what to think! I could tell he was considering shaking them off or pawing at them, and since he knows "shake off," I told him he could if he wanted to. Instead, he chose to keep walking!

The farther we went, the more comfortable he seemed. He stopped to watch the fields a few times, took in all the smells, and honestly looked like he was having a very relaxing time. By the end of the walk, I think he had decided the sunglasses were a pretty good deal.

The funny part? A few years ago I bought him a pair of Rex Specs because we spend so much time outdoors. They definitely weren't cheap (good dog gear is an investment!), and he quickly decided that eye protection was not his thing! He was perfectly comfortable wearing his muzzle (loves it actually!), but having something directly in his field of vision was a whole different story. It was pretty clear that one was going to take a lot more training and confidence building than I had the bandwidth for at the time.

Now I'm sitting here wondering if he'd feel differently about them today, and whether they'll stop being collecting dust collectors this summer 🤔 Maybe I was overthinking it and approaching it a little too "trainer-y." Maybe he just needed time, confidence, and a reason for them to matter! Turns out squinting in the sun was a pretty convincing sales pitch 😆

I loooove moments like this 🥰 Not only because my dog wore sunglasses (a little hard not to smile and laugh the whole time!) but because it's always fascinating to watch dogs process something new, make a choice, and build confidence through the experience!

Anyone else's dogs feeling the heat lately and starting to adjust to the season change? ☀️🐾

05/10/2026

💖🐾

🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

03/18/2026

Miss Mopsy here putting her brain (and appetite) to work with a mini slow feeder 🐰

With Easter coming, this is your friendly reminder that rabbits are not beginner pets. They need a wide variety of nutrition, daily enrichment, proper care, and constant access to hay. Did I say lots of hay? Always hay!! 🌾

They are not meant to live in small cages. Rabbits are physically and mentally built to roam, explore, hop, forage, chew, and many truly enjoy social interaction and bonding. Confinement to tiny spaces just doesn’t meet their needs, and wire bottom cages often hurt their feet, ouch! 😓

If you have a rabbit that is currently confined to a small space, consider upgrading their space with an exercise pen and/or offering them chances to free roam (if and when safe!). You might be surprised how much they thrive with more freedom! ✨️

Rabbits can also be litter trained, and often pick it up quickly. Mopsy figured it out in under an hour. One p*e in the litter box and she never looked back! It's been 6 years, and the only time she struggles is if her setup is abruptly changed (sound similar to any other species? 😸).

Enrichment matters. A lot!

Nature is where it's at. When rabbits lack opportunities to forage naturally, bringing things indoors to them makes all the difference! Dried apple tree sticks, fresh dandelions, lavender, hibiscus, and plenty of other commonly found things are safe for rabbits to enjoy munching on. A DIY 'dig pit' (a box filled with play sand/garden soil) can help meet their need to dig and kick too 🐾

With supervision and thoughtful or creative selection, many dog and cat enrichment toys can be safely adapted for rabbits depending on their individual preferences. Mopsy loves her mini slow feeder, just like she enjoys her Hollee rollers, tricky treat balls, snuffle mats, and even cat toy shakers!

Different species, same need to think, forage, and engage with their world 🌎 Total welfare matters for all! 🩵

03/08/2026

A little p*ek at an enrichment session with Stormy! 🌳🐾

Fresh snow, deer tracks to follow, birds and squirrels to watch, and a trail full of new smells 🤩 We even practiced tracing our own footsteps with his nose 👟

Our sessions together include lots of different things depending on what he needs: loose leash walking, cooperative care, fitness 💪🏻, breed specific enrichment, and learning how to exist comfortably in the world 🌎

After a good adventure and a towel dry in the car, he finished the day with a calm nail trim right there! 💅

A very successful and fun outing for a very curious pup! 🩵

02/22/2026

Over the past while, I’ve been working through Kim Brophey’s L.E.G.S. Family Dog Mediation rooted in applied ethology program and recently completed it 🐾

It’s been a really meaningful way to deepen and refine how I approach dogs and their families. I’ve never felt strongly tied to one “camp”, I enjoy looking at the individual as a whole, their environment, their genetics, their learning history, and building relationships, implenting enrichment and routines that work for them and their families.

This program put more language and structure to that lens, and I’m looking forward to continuing to support clients and pets in ways that strengthen understanding, welfare, and bonds 🩵

Seeing Bracken again today (and realizing just how much he’s grown since I first worked with him!!) felt like a nice reminder of why this work matters. Dogs grow, families evolve, and understanding them as individuals makes all the difference ✨️

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from some of the goodest boys & girls I’ve had the honor of working with this year! 🎅🐾

I couldn’t fit everyone on this card, but every pup & kitty I work with means the world to me. Thank you for trusting me with your pets 🩵

Wishing you all a safe, happy, treat filled holiday season! 🎄☃️

12/17/2025

Such a good reminder!

12/07/2025

Sharing this reminder because so many pet parents end up feeling guilty when walks don’t go perfectly, or when their dog just isn’t a ‘daily walk’ kind of dog... and honestly, that’s okay! Every dog has different needs, comfort levels, and limits.

There are so many other ways to help your dog feel fulfilled, safe, and happy that don’t involve hitting the sidewalks every single day. Do what works for your dog, not what you feel ‘supposed’ to do! 🐾

Walking and jogging a dog have become so normalized that they are often the first activities that come to mind when we think about exercising a dog.

These forms of exercise are widely accepted as the "standard," to the point that some pet parents feel judged or criticized if they don't walk their dog every single day.

There's often an unspoken expectation that if you live with a dog, daily walks or jogs are non-negotiable. However, this mindset doesn't take into account that walks and jogs aren't always feasible for every dog or their person.

For some dogs, walks may not even be physically possible, especially for older dogs, dogs with mobility issues, or those suffering from physical disabilities.

Weather conditions such as extreme heat, cold, or rain can make outdoor walks unsafe or uncomfortable.

Some dogs have allergies that make outdoor activity challenging, or they may become overwhelmed by certain environmental stimuli such as noise, traffic, or other dogs.

And let's not forget that some dogs may have mental health concerns, like anxiety or fear, which can make walks a stressful experience for them rather than a fun outing.

Fortunately, there are a wide range of alternative activities that can offer both physical and mental stimulation, allowing dogs to burn off energy and stay healthy, without the need for daily walks or jogs.

Let’s focus on expanding our definition of what constitutes "exercise" for dogs so that we can create a more inclusive and understanding environment for pet parents, recognizing that every dog has unique needs and capabilities.

At the end of the day, it's about finding what works best for your dog and ensuring they stay happy, healthy, and mentally stimulated - whether that involves daily walks, or a mix of alternative activities!

We wrote an entire book about this called Canine Enrichment For The Real World. If you need ideas, you can get this book off Dogwise, Amazon, or Audible!

11/27/2025

Let’s talk about Cooperative Care and why it matters so much for our pets, especially seniors or dogs with medical or behavioral needs!

My first dog, Mya, was a senior rescue who struggled with arthritis, some urinary incontinence, and a history of being bitey at times. She was quick to use her teeth because nobody had ever given her a sense of choice or control (agency!). She needed more regular hygiene care than the average dog and among things, sometimes a diaper, which could have easily become stressful or unsafe.

We started using a choice based routine that let her feel safe and in control of what was happening to her. She learned to stand comfortably in a predictable spot, take breaks when she needed them, and get rewarded for each small step. Sessions were short, positive, and always ended with a treat party she looked forward to.

This approach eventually helped Mya move through hygiene, grooming, coats, harnesses, and even medical routines with much more confidence and the dignity she needed. Giving Mya agency through Cooperative Care not only kept both of us safe, but it also positively impacted her quality of life in those final years, in ways I never would've imagined.

But Cooperative Care isn’t just for seniors or dogs with a history of fear or biting. Any pet can benefit from a routine that respects their choices, builds confidence, and makes handling and medical care a breeze for everyone!

10/15/2025

🎥 Cone Game in action! 🐾

This is one of my top favorite ways to help dogs build confidence and feel comfortable with gear going on and over their face! 🐶 It starts with showing them that a muzzle can be a party hat 🎉 and that harnesses or winter sweaters aren’t spooky, just cozy 🍂

Small steps and fun experiences can go a long way when it comes to gear training! 🌟 It can all help to add up to smoother vet visits, walks, and any situation where gear might be needed.

I’m getting back into posting here too 😅 Sometimes it's all about those small steps, for both you and your dog! What confidence-building games do you play with your dog? I’d love to hear! 👇