What is Canine Enrichment

You may have heard this term before but maybe you aren’t sure what exactly it is. We even talked about it in the beginning of quarantine with our blog post “Top eight ways to keep your dog busy during quarantine”. But what exactly is enrichment? For this post we’re going to explore ways to use food for enrichment.

What is enrichment?

Enrichment is any sort of activity that is designed to create mental stimulation and enhances your dog’s mental state. Enrichment makes your dog use their brain to problem solve and pick up new skills. It could be different ways of feeding your dogs, and it could also be taking your dog out for a sniff walk. With enrichment you want you give your dog an opportunity to engage in activities that come natural to them like sniffing, scavenging, shredding, licking and chewing. There are many different types of enrichment.

Why is enrichment so important?

Enrichment is important because it helps keep your dog’s brain active by creating new and exciting ways for them to do new things. Enrichment gives your dog the chance to engage all their natural senses like sniffing, or scavenging.

West Paw Toppl Photo Amazon.com

Okay, so what can I do to create enrichment for my dog?

There are TONS of different toys out there that can be used for food enrichment. We gave you some awesome ideas here but there are even more you can use. Some of our favorites include the Westpaw Toppl, the Holee Roller ball, a snuffle mat, the Nina Ottosson toys for Outward Hound, the SodaPup toys, and the PetSafe Chilly Penguin.

Okay, but I don’t want to give my dog lots of treats.

That’s okay you don’t have to use treats for everything. You can use your dog’s daily food for almost anything. You can also add in some dog safe fruits and veggies for something extra. There’s all sorts of ways to mix things up with your dog’s food instead of just feeding them out of a boring bowl. You need to look beyond the bowl and be creative with how you feed.

Okay, but I don’t want to spend a ton of money on new toys!

Honestly you don’t even have to spend a cent with enrichment. You can use lots of household items for these activities.

• What are you doing with those toilet paper rolls? Nothing? Hide food in those and then hide them around the house. I’ve even seen people make advent calendars with toilet paper rolls.

• Have some spare towels? Throw some food in there and roll it up.

• Empty Amazon boxes? Throw some paper in there with food and let them forage for their food.

• Have some empty plastic bottles going in the recycling? String a rope through them and hang it in a doorway for your pup to try and get their food out.

• Have a muffin tin hanging around? You can use that too for enrichment.

Some words of wisdom

If your pup gives up and doesn’t want to continue because it’s too hard for them, you should bring it back to an easier point where they are having fun. You don’t want to make it difficult for them. Enrichment should be fun and exciting for your pups, not hard and challenging. Like when I feed my dog in her Toppl, if she can’t get to the stuff at the bottom and gives up I happily loosen it for her so that she can easily access it. Also if you have a dog trainer who is not actively talking about enrichment ideas with you and your pups, it may be time to find a new one. Enrichment is a huge part of training these days and a trainer who isn’t talking about it probably isn’t up to date with their training credentials. In an effort to make things last longer we’re a big fan of freezing things. It makes the enrichment activity last longer without upping the difficulty. It’s not necessary to use a freezer I just happen to like this option for my own dog.

Some places for inspiration:

As you can see here Johnny and Bodhi’s mom is always doing fun enrichment for them. What pup wouldn’t love a shark fin?

The Facebook group Canine Enrichment is an excellent source of inspiration. This is where I learned of Bindisbucketlist this woman takes enrichment to a whole different level. She is so creative and it truly amazes me. You don’t have to be as creative as her that’s totally okay. It’s just great to get some ideas when you’re running low. I also get really great ideas from our friends from down under Johnny and Bodhi. Their mom is always doing some fun enrichment. As a matter of fact if it weren’t for Johnny and Bodhi I wouldn’t have known about the Likimats that my dog loves so much. Not only does their mom do some really awesome enrichment but their account in general his absolutely hilarious.

Show us how you do enrichment:

On Instagram or on Facebook. Also check out our YouTube Channel for more DIY ideas. We’ve created an Enrichment playlist with a bunch of different videos for inspiration.

btb’s favorite things

Just like Oprah we also have a list of our favorite things. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of gifts for you and your pups for the holidays.

K&H Pet Products Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Bolster Cat & Dog Bed.

BTB Members Trudy and Benson enjoying their bed.

This bed is a huge hit in our household. With just a 15v heating pad in the bed it keeps your pups warm even on when the temps dip below zero. If your pup is anything like mine they’ll sleep in this bed all year round. Because you can never be too cozy. Check out BTB members Trudy and Benson in their heated bed. It’s perfect for those long winter days. Be forewarned though, your pup may never want to leave this bed.

New furbo dog camera to spy on your dog

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

For when you’re at work and you want to throw a treat to your good boy/girl this camera is awesome. You can live stream video of your pup from your phone. The Furbo Camera also lets you know when your dog is barking. It gives you the peace of mind knowing your pup is safe and secure while you’re away from home. With Furbo Dog Nanny you also get activity alerts and selfie alerts. I mean who wouldn’t want to be alerted when their dog is taking a selfie?

A new fleece from equafleece

We just found this company not too long ago and had to share with you. Our motto is there’s always room for more clothing. This oh so soft fleece is so nice and toasty. It will keep your pup warm on even the coldest day in Boston. The Equafleece brand is also rainproof so your pup will stay dry in the cold winter rain and snow.

A new harness and leash set from frenchie

Photo Credit: Frenchie

If you’re anything like us one harness is never enough. We love the Frenchie brand harnesses because they always have super cute prints. Just in time for the holidays Frenchie has released this super cute reversible harness and leash set. Your dog will be the talk of the town in this harness. The best part about these harnesses is that you’re literally getting two for one. Because it’s reversible they have different prints on each side.

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

For the very good Pup Santa s’mores Soft & Chewy Treats

We love all the Bocce’s Bakery treats and every year they put out new holiday flavors. This year we found Santa S’mores at Loyal Companion and had to pick them up. With limited ingredients these are great for pups with allergies. They come in all sorts of other yummy flavors too. If you have a naughty pup Bocce’s Bakery also makes Lumps of Coal. Equally delicious but oh so naughty.

Outward Hound Fun Feeder Interactive Dog Bowl

For the pup who inhales their food in seconds this fun feeder is the perfect way to slow them down. This bowl combines mental stimulation while also slowing them down when eating. It’s a two for one.

ZippyPaws - Holiday Burrow, Interactive Squeaky Hide and Seek Plush Dog Toy

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

These burrow toys are so much fun. They’re great for playtime and great for enrichment. Your pup has to use their brain to dig the bones out from the stocking. It’s the perfect toy to keep your pup busy while you’re cleaning the kitchen.

Photo Credit: Club Huey

Broke + Spoiled Matching T-Shirt Set from Club Huey

Can you really say you’re a crazy dog mom/dad if you and your pup don’t match in these adorable t-shirts? I mean who are we kidding of course we’re broke because of our dogs. The best part about these shirts is that they’re completely reversible. Just flip the t-shirt around and the design can be worn on either the front or back.

show us what you got

Did you get something special for your pup for the Holidays? Show us on Facebook or Instagram

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month

What age is considered senior?

For Boston Terriers senior age is often considered to start at 9-10 years old.

Why should I adopt a Senior Dog?

You should adopt a senior dog because they’re awesome. Okay we might be a little biased but senior dogs are great. They’re already house trained, they already know all their commands and you know exactly how big/small your dog is going to be. There’s no mystery.

They love to be with their people!

Senior dogs often just want to be with their people. They don’t need a ton of exercise and play time, they’re happy to just relax on the couch with their favorite human.

They’re often overlooked

Seniors are often overlooked at shelters and rescues. A lot of people just want young puppies but adopting a senior means you can give them the best rest of their lives.

They’re great napping partners

Senior dogs need more sleep than younger dogs making them the best napping partner. This is also beneficial for people who work too as senior dogs will often nap while you’re at work all day.

They’re calmer than puppies

While senior dogs often still have tons of energy to burn they’re often calmer than having a puppy. Seniors are more likely to have short bursts of energy while puppies are non-stop.

it’s Kennel Cough season

It’s kennel cough season and we’re here to help you recognize the signs and symptoms of kennel cough.

what is kennel cough?

Kennel cough (canine infections tracheobronchitis) is a highly contagious respiratory disease. Kennel cough is most commonly contracted at dog parks, shelter environments, doggie daycare and boarding facilities.  Much like the common cold in humans, kennel cough can be spread from one dog to another through airborne transmission, nose to nose contact, or sharing water/food bowls. Good news is that kennel cough is super treatable although it is harsher for young and immunocompromised dogs.

How to Tell if your pup has it?

You’ll know, trust me! My dog Shyla has had it twice and it’s a sound unlike anything else I’ve heard come out of her.  Other than that here are some symptoms to watch out for:

• cough (it will sound like a your pup has something stuck in their throat or like a honking sound)

• sneezing

• runny nose

• loss of appetite

• lethargy

• low fever

HOW IS IT TREATED?

There is a vaccine for it, but much like the flu vaccination there are different strains that the vaccination does not protect against, so a trip to the vet to confirm the diagnosis is needed. Depending on the severity of symptoms, your vet will either let the virus run its course or will prescribe antibiotics. There are also some natural ways to help your pup through this with honey and coconut oil. Whole Dog Journal has laid out some really great ways to help clear up kennel cough naturally.

ways to prevent kennel cough

It is so important to pay attention to our pups. While kennel cough is usually very treatable it can sometimes develop into more serious conditions like pneumonia. Kennel cough can be prevented by limiting exposure to infected dogs and staying away from areas like the dog park when an outbreak has occurred.

what if symptoms persist?

If symptoms persist for more than two weeks it could be a sign of something more serious like pneumonia or congestive heart failure. Another trip to the vet will be needed to rule out anything more serious.

So you’re looking for a boston terrier?

Deciding to bring a dog into your family is a big decision, and one that will impact the dog’s life as well as your own. The choice between buying from a reputable breeder versus adopting from a shelter/rescue organization can often be a difficult one to make. On the one hand a new squishy puppy is hard to resist, on the other hand saving a life by adopting a rescue dog can also be an amazing experience. We’ve already shared how to find a responsible breeder here and covered how to adopt a Boston Terrier here, but we want to help you in your decision on whether to adopt or not.

Benefits of Adopting

One of the main benefits of adopting a Boston Terrier is that you’re literally saving two lives at once. You’re saving the life of the Boston Terrier you’re adopting and you’re also saving the life of another dog who needs rescue by opening up space in the shelters. 

But that's not all:

• Adopted dogs are often already potty trained and have already been vetted for any health or behavioral issues. 

• If adopting from a rescue organization they can tell you more about the dog’s personality. Due to the popularity of fostering, the dog has likely spent weeks--or even months—in a home environment. My own dog Shyla famously spent seven months in her foster home. The best rescues will prioritize quality over quantity therefore dogs sometimes spend longer in foster.

• Rescues sometimes have puppies too, you just need to ask.

• The best rescue organizations will use the dog's time in the organization as an opportunity to diagnose medical and behavioral issues and begin to fix them.

• And last but not least, rescues will often take the dog back if it doesn’t work out. If for whatever reason the new dog doesn't adjust to your home or has unexpected issues you're unequipped to handle (medical, behavioral), returning the dog to the rescue to find more suitable placement is an option.

Risks of Adopting

If you’re adopting straight from a shelter you don’t always know the dog’s background. Sometimes a dog’s personality can change after being in your home for a while, as dogs tend to either be extremely-reserved or over-excited when placed in a new home. The behavior you see in the shelter (or as the shelter workers describe it) can be dramatically different from how your new pup acts once fully-adjusted. 

It’s possible that the dog you’re adopting hasn’t been properly socialized and you will need to work on that with a positive reinforcement trainer and/or with a behaviorist. This is always a big risk with rescue dogs, as some owners would rather give up a dog than to work on the behavioral issues themselves.

Benefits to Buying from a Breeder

Buying from a responsible breeder is also a great option, but you need to be ready to commit to the care needed for the pup for the rest of its life, which could be anywhere from 12-20 years.

Here are some other considerations:

• You can meet the pup’s parents and get a glimpse into what your pup will look like fully grown. You will also get a tour of the pup’s living conditions.

• You know that your pup is truly purebred.

• You’ll get to shape your pup into the adult you want with the proper socialization and training.

• A lot of breeders also do heath and genetic testing to ensure that your pup will not have any hereditary conditions. Responsible breeders breed for the betterment of the breed and temperament.

THE CHALLENGES OF BUYING FROM A BREEDEr:

Of course, buying from a breeder is not without its drawbacks.

• Every year millions of dogs are euthanized in shelters.

• Puppies require a lot of time and attention, often as much as a newborn baby. (Except they pee on your shag rug instead of in a diaper.)

• You’ll need to be prepared to clean up any accidents and deal with any chewing.

• Purebred dogs tend to have more health problems.

• Buying from a breeder can be extremely expensive, and you will be responsible for all its vetting.

Beyond these reasons, not every breeder practices best practices. There are many "backyard breeders" out there that look at this as a side hustle for quick money. These breeders will often cut corners in breeding, care, and early-life medical needs. Sometimes, they may even push pups with known medical issues on to new families without informing them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you choose to adopt a Boston Terrier or buy from a responsible breeder, it is important to be honest with yourself about what your commitment level is and how much time and attention you’re willing to give to your pup. Always seek out the right positive reinforcement trainer for your dogs. A dog is a lifelong commitment and you will have to deal with all of the challenges that come with owning a dog.

Counterconditioning and Desensitization for Fear of Fireworks

It’s that time of year again and if your neighborhood is anything like mine fireworks have already been going off for weeks now. It’s no surprise that dogs can be afraid of the sound fireworks make so we’re here to help your dog understand that fireworks aren’t so scary.

What is counterconditioning?

Counterconditioning means changing the dog’s emotional response, reaction or approach toward a stimulant, whether it be other dogs, skateboards or in this case fireworks. In other words, by feeding your dog delicious treats while you’re playing fireworks on the TV your dog will start to associate fireworks with yummy treats and so fireworks aren’t so scary.

What is Desensitization?

Desensitization is the slow introduction of your dog to it’s phobias at a low level. Starting slowly you can over time build up your dog’s exposure to its triggers, in this case fireworks. Ideally this would be done so that your dog never has the opportunity to react towards fireworks so you’ll need to find that sweet spot where they can hear the fireworks and not get upset.

How does counterconditioning and Desensitization work?

Counterconditioning and desensitization works by exposing your dogs to their triggers (fireworks) while rewarding them with high value treats. Starting at home with you and your dog you play fireworks on the TV at a low volume while simultaneously giving your dog treats like say hot dogs or chicken. Over time you’ll gradually increase the volume so that you can work your way up to almost real life.

How do i know if I’m doing it right?

You’ll know you’re doing it right if your dog is not reacting to the stimuli (fireworks on TV) in the background. However, if your dog starts to show any signs of stress you need to go back to the level where they’re comfortable.

Okay but my dog isn’t food motivated!

That’s okay, not all dogs are pigs like mine (who will sneak off to eat the garbage any chance she can get). Some dogs have a favorite toy or crave affection. You can use any of these things. Does your pup have a favorite ball? Then you can teach this with their ball. You just want to make this as positive experience as possible.

Can I use this for other things as well?

You can absolutely use counterconditioning and desensitization for other things too. The world can be a scary place for dogs. Counterconditioning and desensitization can be used for police sirens, car backfires, skateboards, bicycles, barking and even other dogs. There are a myriad of ways that counterconditioning and desensitization can help your dog live a long, stress free life. Using counterconditioning every chance you get, you can give your dog confidence.  It is not necessary to wait for fears, phobias and anxiety to start showing.

Does my dog have to sit to get the treat?

No. There’s no reason that your dog should need to sit to get the treats you are offering during your work. You just want them to be calm and relaxed and if that means they need to stand then that’s okay too.

See it in action

Here’s a great video of counterconditioning and desensitization for fireworks. Note that while he has his dog sit it’s not a requirement for your dog to be sitting.

How to Find the right Dog Trainer for your pup

It’s no secret that finding the right kind of dog trainer for your pup can be a daunting task. There are so many out there in an unregulated field that it’s hard to know which one to chose. Yup you read that right, the dog training field is completely unregulated. So we’re here to help you know what to look for in finding the right trainer.

What do they say about the way they train?

Before singing up with a trainer you want to look at their website and social media to see what they say about the way they train. You want clear statements about the kind of training methods they use. Look for dogs in flat collars, harnesses or martingales.

Ask questions

Ask the trainer about the methods they use and make sure you’re comfortable with their approach. Look for trainers who only use positive reinforcement and reward the dog for correct behavior and teaches the dog different behaviors in place of improper ones. Positive reinforcement is based on the science of animal learning and strengthens the bond you have with your dog. Ask them what happens if your dog gets it right? Ask what happens if your dog gets it wrong? How do you ensure that your dog is not inadvertently being punished? You want make sure that the trainer is not using positive punishment as a way to train your dog. Ask them about their mentors and who they look up to. Ask about what professional organizations they belong to.

Observe them

A good trainer will let you visit a class and interview them. You’ll get an in-person view of how they train dogs. If you are uncomfortable with what you see in person then it’s not the right trainer for you.

WHAT TO AVOID

You want to avoid anyone using aversives such as a prong collar, choke collar or shock collar (also known as an e-collar, buzz, tens collar, and many other names). These are all punishment based methods and only serve to suppress unwanted behavior and not correct it. You’ll also want to avoid trainers who talk about alpha, or dominance theories and trainers that say things like we use the tools to fit the dog. Those trainers go right for aversives and don’t train any other way. You also want to avoid any trainer who guarantees success. Don’t fall for it when trainers say these tools don’t hurt the dog, they absolutely do and science has shown this to be true.

Resources

Here are some sources to help guide you in your search for a force free trainer.

Pet Professional Guild

http://www.petprofessionalguild.com/

Pet Professional Accreditation Board

http://credentialingboard.com/Professionals

Academy for Dog Trainers

https://www.academyfordogtrainers.com/find-a-trainer

Helpful Terms

We know that there are many different types of dog trainers with different degrees/certifications so here are some helpful terms to ask about. But as a reminder these terms are only a guide and that you should speak with any dog trainer before employing their services.

Professional Canine Trainer - Accredited (PCT-A) certification for professionals who believe there is no place for shock, choke, prong, pain, force or fear in pet training and behavior practices. The Board also offers the only  psychometrically sound examination for Training & Behavior Consultants who also support these humane and scientific practices.

Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC and Associate CDBC) are trainers who meet the requirements of the IAABC - International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed & Skills Assessed (CPDT-KA/CPDT-KSA): Train with the Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) training and behavior work.

Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB) or Associate (ACAAB): A CAAB is a certified professional with scientific training in animal behavior. A CAAB works with people and their pets to modify pet behavior that has become a concern for owners.  Our recommendation for a behaviorist is Dr. Terri Bright from MSPCA-Angell.

Veterinary Behaviorist (DACVB): The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) is the certifying board for veterinarians who are specialty trained to advance the behavioral health of animals through clinical practice, research, and science-based behavior education. 

Top eight ways to keep your dog busy during quarantine

During this challenging time of shelter in place and stay at home orders, we're all looking for ways to help our dogs stay engaged and active, not to mention ourselves. A sudden new routine can be hard on everyone, especially our dogs. We need to make sure there's enough stimulation to help them deal with boredom and anxiety because our being home is simply not enough. To help you find fun ways of making the most out of quarantine with your pup, we’ve put together a list of the best dog toys and enrichment games that they’ll love.

Trixie Windmill Activity Strategy Game Dog Toy

Credit Petco.com

If you’re looking for ways to keep your pup entertained while you’re trying to work from home, look no further than this windmill activity toy from Trixie. With four tubes and two different sets of tube covers for different levels of difficulty, it really keeps your dog entertained. My dog loves this game! They have to figure out how to move the windmill blades in order to get the treats to fall out, whether it be using their paws or their mouths. The more the blades move the more treats fall out, so they’re rewarded for creating a winning strategy.

Shyla loving her likimat, credit BTB

Hyper Pet LickiMat Boredem Buster Slow Feeder Dog & Cat Mat

Two likimats are better than one, credit BTB

These likimats area huge hit in our house. Designed with different ridges likimats engage your pup’s senses when they lick the tasty treats off of them. Repetitive licking has been shown to produce a calming hormone therefore reducing your pup’s stress. My dog loves to lick things and the more she licks the more tired and relaxed she gets. You can spread peanut butter, yogurt or even some bananas on these mats to give your pup something to do while you’re taking that work conference call on Zoom. Throw these in the freezer to make them last even longer. If your dog is a chewer or a puppy who is still teething then you’ll want to get the Likimat Solmo. The Solomo is virtually indestructible and can be cleaned in the dishwasher after use.

Nina Ottosson by Outward Hound Dog

There are a variety of different toys by Nina Ottosson for Outward Hound Dog that can keep your pup busy while also giving them the mental exercise they need. Each toy has varying degrees of difficulty from level 1 to level 3. You can start at level 1 and if you find it too easy for your pup then you can up the level of difficulty by locking certain features of the toys. Here are a few of our favorites.

Credit Outwardhound.com

Dog Brick: You can hide treats inside and the dogs have to use their paws or nose to slide the bricks in order to reveal the treat. You can also make this activity even more difficult by adding white blocks in the middle therefore making the ability to slide the bricks even harder. This a great intermediate level toy.

Credit Outwardhound.com

Twister Interactive Dog Toy: This interactive toy is challenging and fun for your dog. Your pup will have to find the hidden treats by moving the blocks in different circles. As with most of these toys by Nina Ottosson you can increase the difficulty by locking the blocks with bone-shaped blocks, which are placed in the hollows of the game. Dogs have to learn to unplug the blocks by lifting the pegs one by one in order to be able to move the blocks and then find the treats.

BTB Member Luna trying to figure out how to get the treats out of her Dog Casino

Dog Casino: The Dog Casino is a great game for you and your dog. Hide treats in the appropriate slots and watch your dog look for treats using their nose or paws pulling out the flaps. Like most of the Nina Ottosson toys you can increase the level of difficulty by locking the flaps using the bone-shaped pegs on top. Even BTB member Luna can’t figure out how to unlock the pegs on this toy.

Trixie Activity Poker Box Interactive Dog Toy, Level 2

Credit Trixie.de

Your pup will have to use all their smarts to get the treats out of this toy. With four different boxes you can hide kibble or treats inside them. Your pups will really have to challenge themselves as the activity uses lids, flaps, knobs, ropes, and drawers. Your pup will have a blast trying to figure out how to pull the ropes in order to gain access to the hidden treats. They’ll challenge themselves trying to work the knobs and flaps. If your dog is anything like mine, they’ll do just about anything to get at the hidden food.

Towel Treats and Nose work

If you're thinking, ”ok but I have plenty of toys already,” then give towel treats a try. Towel treats are a great way to keep your dog active and having fun. Did you know that dogs have 200 million olfactory cells? It’s true! This is the reason why dogs are used to sniff out contraband at airports and work with police. Nose work is really great for dogs it helps bring out their natural ability to hunt. Putting treats in a towel and rolling it up for your pup to uncover the treats is a great way of intellectually stimulating your dog and tiring them out in a good way. If you want to know more, Whole Dog Journal offers a great step-by-step for nose work and scent games.

Scavenger Hunt

From our Halloween meetup, credit Brendon Curtis msitphoto.com

Who doesn't love a scavenger hunt? This is fun for dogs, kids and even adults too. The first step is to have your dog stay in place while you hide treats around the house. If your dog is like mine and won’t stay that’s okay too, you can have someone hold your dog while you hide the treats. The second step is to bring your dog out to where you have hidden the treats let them try to find the treats on their own. Don’t worry if they don’t find them all right away that’s totally normal even with a hyper food motivated dog. You can bring the dog around to the different places where you’ve hidden treats so that they get them all. This is a great way to bond with your dog. They’ll look to you for guidance and to show them where the food is hidden.

show us how you’re keeping busy

On Instagram and on Facebook.