Canine Enrichment for the Real World

Making It a Part of Your Dog's Daily Life

By: Allie Bender, Emily Strong

Narrated by: Sherrice Williams

In the world of dogs, there is now more awareness than ever of the need to provide enrichment, especially in shelters. But what exactly is enrichment? The concept is pretty straightforward: learn what your dog’s needs are, and then structure an environment and routine that allows them to engage in behaviors they find enriching. To truly enrich your dog’s life, you should offer them opportunities to engage in natural or instinctual behaviors. Aside from the limitations we have to place on a dog in today’s modern, busy world, the biggest constraint to enriching your dog’s life is your imagination!

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Critic reviews

"Don’t let the word 'enrichment' in the title fool you into thinking that the scope of this book is too narrow or not something you will find valuable. It focuses comprehensively on meeting your dog’s needs and is written in a holistic, science-based, practical, straightforward, and easy-to-understand way. I love this book!" — Ken Ramirez, author of Animal Training: Successful Animal Management Through Positive Reinforcement

"Canine Enrichment is a deep dive into what dogs really need and how we can provide it. It’s a great book for dog lovers who want to go beyond the standard superficialities of 'dogs need exercise.' Just the chapter on agency is worth the price of the book!" — Patricia McConnell, Ph.D., CAAB Emeritus, author of The Other End of the Leash and The Education of Will

"The scope of this book is ambitious and the authors deliver, navigating the subject of enrichment with depth and relevance. Caregivers will gain critically important perspectives and practical information to improve the lives of their animals." — Susan G. Friedman, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Utah State University, and founder of Behavior Works, LLC

Comprehensive Guide to Letting Your Dog Live His Best Life

This book is the best reference I have found for helping my clients understand and implement enrichment. I love the work book too.
I am so happy to see this as an audiobook now and the performer does an excellent job reading with a clear engaging voice. I even enjoyed listening to the reference section! lol
I am a certified behavior consultant working with cats and dogs. I’ve been recommending this book since it was published.

Why it’s necessary & what to do

I looked forward to and enjoyed this book for many reasons. The narrator was spot on & easy to listen to. She explained the importance of mental stimulation for canines, regardless of breed, age & health. I was pleasantly surprised that she included older dogs, as well as dogs who have limited mobility in the book. They need and deserve mental stimulation and her suggestions were fun for both dog & owner. I wish I had known this information when my Shepherd was up in years.

Although I don’t agree with the author’s view regarding training gear (a prong collar, for example), this book belongs in every canine owner’s library. They are creatures with their own needs, When we bring them into our homes as pets it’s only fair to meet those needs. As the saying goes, “You get out of it what you put into it.” If we choose the dog that truly fits our lifestyle, participate in providing mental & physical stimulation for that beloved pet, we will enjoy a best friend & companion for life.