How to find the right type of enrichment for your dog - and why you can always turn to scentwork

We see a lot of social media posts about enrichment - often being followed by the words "snuffle mat", "licki mat", or "kong". Whilst these things have their place in dog training, they are not going to tire or mentally enrich your dog to the point of fulfillment.

What can they be used for?

We like to use a snuffle mat in puppy classes to help dogs settle - studies have found that nosework can lead to dogs feeling more "optimistic" (Duranton and Horowitz, 2019), and sniffing IS a natural behaviour - but this is when dogs are exploring the world and processing new scents.

If your dog is a little anxious, overwhelmed or overexcited, a snuffle mat or licki mat can help bring that arousal back down. We cannot rely on these tools to fulfill our dogs on a daily basis. They are simply a supplementary activity.

What kind of enrichment will my dog enjoy?

This can often depend on their breed, genetics and general behaviour. Next time you’re out with your dog, watch what they naturally gravitate towards — are they nose down in the hedges, or scanning the horizon for movement? That’s your first clue. Some behaviours might include:

• Digging

• Retrieving items

• Sniffing

• Tugging

• Diving into long grass or hedges

There may also be unwanted behaviours that show their needs are not being met:

• Destructive behaviour

• Chasing cars or lights

• Barking

If you're not sure about what your dog needs, ALL dogs LOVE scentwork. They all have a nose, and can all thrive with scentwork - this doesn't just mean treat scatters, this means real work for food and engaging their brains.

Scent detection - where dogs search for a scent and indicate on it (like sniffer dogs at the airport), or tracking - where dogs follow human scent and ground disturbance to find a jackpot (like police dogs chasing criminals), can be introduced into their routine and give them a job.

At SpiritedDog, we build on these natural instincts and show you how to turn them into safe, fulfilling activities. It’s more than just burning energy — it’s about helping your dog feel like they’ve done a day’s work. This is how you'll get the calm, happy dog you've been dreaming of. So yes — keep your snuffle mats for a rainy day, but don’t stop there. Real enrichment means giving your dog outlets that connect with who they are, not just keeping them busy.