Give Mental Enrichment to Reduce Problem Behaviors (VIDEO) | Pupford
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Filed under enrichment+ training
Mental enrichment for your dog is one of the most powerful ways to reduce troublesome behaviors like barking, digging, and chewing!
In this video, Amber Aquart CPDT-KA teaches 3 simple and powerful games that will help you give your pup some extra mental enrichment.
An important thing to remember about mental exercise is that there isn't a set amount you need to give each day, but often our dogs need more than what we are currently giving them.
Remember that mental enrichment is not a "silver bullet" solution to get rid of bad behavior, BUT it can help tremendously. It can even help with your dog's mental health!
Giving your dog enough mental enrichment each day can make them happier, healthier, and better behaved!
Hi Linda, I am sorry to hear you are dealing with destructive behaviors. Unfortunately, management is very important in resolving this behavior, and using a crate is typically the best solution. You could also try putting her in a dog-proof space, but every time she is able to practice the behavior, it reinforces it. I would also work on increasing her daily mental enrichment and physical exercise. Most dogs are destructive because they are bored and their needs are not being met. If you are going on vacation she may benefit from a house sitter or going to a doggy daycare.
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Team Pupford01/26/2025
Can you redirect to a lick mat with some yogurt, peanut butter, etc? When they try to lick you, you can give them the lick mat or Sodapup toy instead.
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Jennifer01/26/2025
My dog loves to play and will engage in any type of search and find as well as fetch. My problem is that he eats any and all toys to shreds and it’s hard to get the toys away from him. Any suggestions?
J
Jody 01/26/2025
My Max and Molly love to lick everything. They would lick your skin off if you would let them. I don’t mind the occasional kiss or two but how can I get them to stop licking so much?
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Linda 01/26/2025
My dog is a mixture of lab, German shepherd part and she is 1 yesr old. She ripped up my couch my chair. I got a another free couch and she did the same. My son when he is home alone with them (he is a volunteer fireman) he left for a fire and came back and she chewed up our rug and chair. He doesn’t always have time to crate her. Please help me figure out what to do. If we travel I do not want him leaving her in the crate at night time while we aren’t home. He can’t let her sleep in his room because she chewed stuff in there over night.
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16 comments
Leave a CommentHi Linda, I am sorry to hear you are dealing with destructive behaviors. Unfortunately, management is very important in resolving this behavior, and using a crate is typically the best solution. You could also try putting her in a dog-proof space, but every time she is able to practice the behavior, it reinforces it. I would also work on increasing her daily mental enrichment and physical exercise. Most dogs are destructive because they are bored and their needs are not being met. If you are going on vacation she may benefit from a house sitter or going to a doggy daycare.
Can you redirect to a lick mat with some yogurt, peanut butter, etc? When they try to lick you, you can give them the lick mat or Sodapup toy instead.
My dog loves to play and will engage in any type of search and find as well as fetch. My problem is that he eats any and all toys to shreds and it’s hard to get the toys away from him. Any suggestions?
My Max and Molly love to lick everything. They would lick your skin off if you would let them. I don’t mind the occasional kiss or two but how can I get them to stop licking so much?
My dog is a mixture of lab, German shepherd part and she is 1 yesr old. She ripped up my couch my chair. I got a another free couch and she did the same. My son when he is home alone with them (he is a volunteer fireman) he left for a fire and came back and she chewed up our rug and chair. He doesn’t always have time to crate her. Please help me figure out what to do. If we travel I do not want him leaving her in the crate at night time while we aren’t home. He can’t let her sleep in his room because she chewed stuff in there over night.