How do you provide enrichment for a highly active herding dog while you’re living in the suburbs? Naomi talks to Kristina Mok about her cattledog pup Lexa and her elder cat Pippi.

In this episode we discuss:Our cast of characters: Lexa and PippiLexa is an Australian cattledog pup, full of excitement and energy     
Pippi is a former rescue cat that’s been part of Kristina’s family for thirteen years

Starting ProblemsA very activity driven puppy and an old cat sharing a household
Living the suburbs
First-time dog owners
An older woman means running with a cattledog is not her forte

What did Kristina think Enrichment meant before joining the Club?Hadn’t done a lot of reading but what she’s read said there was more than just running your dog.
Use its brain and then it will be more tired.
Needs more activities to play and use her brain
Dogs get naughty when they’re bored

What kinds of Enrichment has Kristina been doing with LexaA lot of sniffy walks
Slept really well after walks despite not doing any running            
Training during walks
Stop/sit at roads
Release of food items she finds
Activities at home
Snuffle mats
Food dispensing toys
Hiding things in yard to sniff out
Paper bags to rip apart to find things

Working backward to develop EnrichmentDidn’t realize how to work backward until learned in the Club
Learn what she needs in her day rather than just giving her all the things to do
Focus more on the behavior/needs
Think about the times of day and what she might need
First thing in the morning playing some tug before she eats
Keeps agitation down because she’s had a play and Kristina can continue on with her day
If she’s overstimulated
Scatter feed, snuffle mat to help bring her back down with focus activities
If she’s chewing on things she shouldn’t
When did she last have her bone?

Enrichment is not for us, but for themShift the focus to their needs, not the behaviors that we want to see
Satisfy their needs and then the good behaviors will come
Develops good communication
Agency for the pet. Give them some choice
Allows you to understand pet’s needs more

Enrichment is not just for dogsPippi the cat also benefits from enrichment though it takes a different for to Lexa’s
Quiet sitting and companionship (social bonding)

Enrichment catered to the individualGive the option of different activities but allow them to guide what they like the most
Different animals enjoy different things
Eg. Social bonding over physical activities (play)

Next Enrichment projects?Lexa: Canine nose work classes
Pippi: Building some places for her to go up high and safe

Enrichment: one step at a timeTake it one activity at a time
No need to overwhelm pets with lots of different enrichment plans

Who’s in this episode?Naomi Rotenberg
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Kristina Mok