4 Enrichment Ideas for Your German Shepherd
German Shepherds are a highly intelligent and active breed that need consistent mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Enrichment activities are an important part of keeping German Shepherds engaged and fulfilled. Tuscany tends to get separation anxiety after the weekends, or longer periods where everyone is home with her and return to work / regular schedule. Below are ways that Tuscany enjoys enrichment that you can try with your GSD!
Puzzle & Training Toys
Puzzle toys are a great way to provide enrichment to a German Shepherd’s mind. These toys often involve hiding treats or toys inside of a puzzle or maze that the dog must work through to the reward. There are so many different puzzle toys that you can buy, so it’s easy to find one…or more to occupy and challenge your German Shepherd. Tuscany also loves playing with her training ball (different from fetch), and if you know german shepherds, they can’t be without their balls! Ball training provides a fun one-on-one way to play with your dog while teaching them to focus and engage with you.
Obedience Training
German Shepherds are an active breed that loves to run and play. Tuscany has the most energy I’ve ever experienced. This spring she’ll be starting obedience training and to work out some of her anxiety. Until then, our family has been teaching her basic commands and incorporating tools like clickers to keep her attention and a gentle training lead for walks.
Play and Sniff Time
Don’t forget the importance of good old-fashioned playtime. German Shepherds love to play fetch, tug-of-war, and chase. Playing with your dog provides great bonding time and is a great way to keep them active and engaged. Another way to keep german shepherds mentally engaged is by just letting them sniff. While in the yard or on a walk, letting your dog simply be a dog is what they love!
Food and Lick/Sniff Mats
Lick and sniff mats provide mental stimulation and promote calm behavior in German Shepherds. These mats are typically made of soft, textured fabric or rubber, and have small pockets or bumps where treats hide. The dog uses their sense of smell to find the treats and then lick and nibble at the mat to get them. This activity is a fun and rewarding challenge for dogs, and reduces boredom and anxiety. It's important to supervise your dog while using these mats and to choose treats that are appropriate for their diet and size. You can prepare a variety of different lick mats for your dog, even ones that you can put in the freezer for longer enrichment! Tuscany is a huge fan of peanut butter in her kong or lick mat which you can use as-is or frozen. Here are some ways you can create a lick mat for your fur baby.
Get Enriched
German Shepherds are an intelligent and active breed that require a lot of mental and physical stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Enrichment activities like puzzle toys, interactive toys, agility training, scent work, swimming, and playtime are great ways to provide this stimulation. By incorporating these activities into your dog’s routine, you’ll have a happy and fulfilled German Shepherd.
