Seasonal Enrichment Ideas for Your Dog

As dog guardians, we all want our dogs to be happy and healthy. One way to achieve this is by providing them with mental stimulation through enrichment activities. But did you know that you can also make these activities seasonal? By incorporating seasonal themes, you can keep your furry friend engaged and excited all year round.

Here are some seasonal enrichment ideas for your dog that you can try out:

Spring

Fresh Air Fun

Spring is a time for renewal, so take advantage of the pleasant weather for outdoor enrichment.

• Flower Power Sniffari: Spring bursts with new smells! Take your dog on nature walks in different locations to explore the fresh scents of blooming flowers and trees. Let them sniff at their own pace, it’s mentally stimulating! You can of course also take them all year long on a Sniffing Safari: Explore new walking routes with your dog, letting them sniff and explore all the new seasonal scents. If your dog is anxious, you can also stick to routes you know and where your dog feels comfortable – still plenty of smells and a great opportunity for a decompression walk.
• Backyard Blooms: Hide treats or toys in amongst safe, dog-friendly flowers for a springtime treasure hunt.

Frozen Fun

Fill Kongs, Toppls, Enrichment Toys or lick mats with yogurt, mashed fruits (dog-safe ones), or broth and freeze them for a cooling treat and mental challenge.

Seedling Search

Hide treats or toys in planters or raised garden beds (with dog-safe plants of course!) and let your dog sniff them out.

DIY Seed Pod Puzzle

Up-cycle empty spring flower pods (safe for dogs!) by hiding treats inside and letting your dog sniff them out. You can also use cardboard egg cartons for a similar challenge.

DIY Seed Dispensing Toys

Cut holes in a plastic bottle or ball, fill it with kibble or treats, and let your dog roll it around to release the goodies, mimicking the feeling of foraging for dropped seeds.

Sprinkler Fun (with Supervision)

Set up a sprinkler in your yard for a refreshing play session. Let your dog chase the water jets (weather permitting) for some light exercise and cool down.

Plant a Dog-Friendly Garden

Spring is the perfect time to start a garden, and why not make it dog-friendly? You can plant herbs and vegetables that are safe for your dog to eat, such as parsley, carrots, and green beans. Not only will your dog have fun exploring the garden, but they’ll also get to enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of your labor!

You can find more Garden Ideas and Dog Garden Enrichment here:

And we have a whole category of Dog Spring Enrichment Activities and Ideas, which you can find here:

Summer

Frozen Fun

Freeze some dog-safe fruits (like blueberries or bananas) or broth cubes in ice cube trays, Toppls or Kongs for a cool and refreshing treat.

Sprinkler Play

Set up a sprinkler for a refreshing way for your dog to cool down and chase the water stream. (Always supervise water play).

DIY Popsicles

Freeze dog-safe broth or yogurt with treats or kibble frozen inside for a cool and tasty puzzle.

Beach Bonanza (if safe)

If you live near a dog-friendly beach, and if it’s safe and allowed, take your dog for a swim in a dog-friendly beach or lake (weather permitting) or a walk along the shore. Make sure the water entry/exit is easy for them and always have fresh water available. Be sure to clean off any sand after and avoid hot sand during peak sun hours.

Water Playtime & Water Games

Lots of Dogs love water, especially in the summer. For a water-loving pup, try a kiddie pool filled with water toys in your backyard or take your dog to a nearby lake or beach. You can play fetch with a water-safe frisbee. You can also get them a sprinkler toy or play with water guns to make playtime more fun. Remember to supervise playtime and provide fresh water.

You can find more Dog Summer Enrichment Ideas here:

Autumn | Fall

Leaf Launcher

Rake up some leaves and create a giant pile for your dog to dig and explore. You can even use a leaf blower (on a low setting) to send them on a leaf-chasing adventure (be sure to monitor closely). Alternatively: Use a leaf blower (on a low setting) to scatter leaves around the yard and let your dog chase and pounce on them.

Nature Walk Treasure Hunt | Fall Finds

 Hide treats or toys among the fallen leaves for your dog to sniff out and discover. Also great to simply enjoy the beautiful fall foliage. Who doesn’t love all the colours in Autumn?

Pumpkin Playtime

Hollow out a pumpkin (remove the insides safely) and fill it with treats or kibble for a fun, festive and challenging food puzzle.

Scent Work with Pumpkins

Hide treats or toys inside or around pumpkins placed throughout the house or yard for an autumn-themed treasure hunt.

Hide-and-Seek with Pumpkins

Fall is all about pumpkins, and you can incorporate them into your dog’s enrichment activities too! Cut a hole in a small pumpkin, fill it with treats, and let your dog go on a pumpkin hunt. You can also hide smaller pumpkins around the house or yard for your dog to find.

You can also simply take your dog to a pumpkin patch and pick some pumpkins for Halloween. It’s a great family outing your dog will probably enjoy too. Or take them to a farmer’s market.

You can find more Dog Autumn Enrichment Ideas here:

Winter

Snuffle Mats and Treats

In the winter, dogs spend more time indoors, so it’s important to keep them mentally stimulated. A snuffle mat is a great way to do this – it’s a mat with pockets where you can hide treats for your dog to find. You can also freeze treats in ice cubes or make a homemade dog-friendly drink for a fun winter treat.

Indoor Scent Games

The cold weather might limit outdoor time, but you can bring the fun inside! Hide treats around the house or furniture for your dog to find using their nose. Alternatively hide treats around the house in boxes (or create a foraging box), under furniture, or behind curtains for a stimulating indoor sniffing game.

The Great Indoor Fetch

If it’s too cold outside, crinkle up some paper or use a lightweight ball for a gentle game of fetch indoors. There are even special indoor fetch balls for dogs.

Snow Sensory Play

If it snows and it’s safe for your dog, let them experience the snow! Create a shallow “dig zone” or make paw prints with them. Rambo also loves to roll in the snow (with his coat on). Be mindful of weather conditions and keep walks short to avoid frostbite. Remove potential salt or chemicals from your dogs paws when you finish your walk.

Lick Mat Fun

Spread dog-safe peanut butter, mashed banana, dog-safe yogurt or pumpkin puree on a lick mat and freeze it for a long-lasting and mentally stimulating treat.

Snuggle Up with a Puzzle Feeder

Fill a food puzzle with kibble or treats and cuddle up with your dog on the couch while they work on getting the food out and work for their meal. This combines mental stimulation with relaxation.

Snuggles, Cuddles and Nap Time (our faves haha)

Of course you can also simply have a snuggle and take a lovely nap together.

Indoor Playgrounds

Create an indoor obstacle course for your dog using pillows, chairs, and tunnels.

By incorporating these seasonal enrichment ideas into your dog’s routine, you’ll keep them mentally stimulated and happy all year round.

You can find more Dog Winter Enrichment Ideas here:

Remember

• Always supervise your dog during enrichment activities and ensure their safety.
• Adjust the difficulty based on their age, health, mobility, interest and energy level.
• If you have any concerns about your dog’s health or behaviour, consult with a veterinarian or a certified dog trainer. 
• Introduce new activities slowly and watch for signs of fatigue.
• Most importantly, have fun and bond with your furry friend!

Happy enriching!

You can find more Seasonal Enrichment Ideas for your Dog in the “Seasonal Enrichment” Category.

More Seasonal Enrichment Ideas for Dogs