Enrichment. What's all the fluff about?!
Over the years I’ve worked in a number of dog daycares, from small facilities with a maximum of 20 dogs all the way to a 10,000 sq.ft facility that took up to 125 dogs a day. All of these environments had one main thing in common: group play, a form of canine physical enrichment. I found myself wondering “what about mental and/or sensory enrichment?”
The standard within dog daycares has historically been large group play with maybe a group walk or hike add-on available. Back then, we sent our dogs home tired and their guardians were happy. They had a tired dog after all.
But what about their minds? Their noses? Were they regulated? Did they know how to calm down in distracting environments? Or did they spend their day going going going and collapsing seemingly happily when they got home? Why is the gold standard of dog daycares to provide physical exhaustion?
“It’s time to re-think and update the “drop off and play” format for dog daycare in favor of a new off-leash play format – what we call Daycare 2.0”
What if we approached dog daycare differently?
Our hybrid model sends home dogs that are mentally nourished, more confident and regulated. With the guidance of the Dog Gurus wildWOOF is bringing this unique offering to K’ómoks (Comox) Valley dogs, and their people.
So, what IS enrichment in the context of a dog daycare? Sensory enrichment simply put engages the senses in an intentional way that is lead by your dog and their natural proclivities. Sensory enrichment enhances your dogs daycare experience by engaging them in a variety of activities designed to increase your dogs confidence, and encourage them to problem solve. A stimulated and engaged mind results in a tired mind, a dog with a tired mind is calmer and more focused, they are less likely to be destructive and oftentimes find it easier to achieve calmer self regulated states.
“Just giving a dog some puzzle or food dispensing toy doesn’t necessarily equate to enrichment – the only way we can ascertain how enriching enrichment is, is by asking the dog.”
wildWOOF’s one-on-one sensory & mental enrichment activities:
Snuffle mats, Puzzles & Snuffle Balls - Dogs navigate their world ‘nose first’ as they are scent based creatures. Did you know the olfactory system is the most developed sense in newborn puppies? These tools rely on the dogs desire to sniff out meals and treats which in turn engages their minds.
Floramicato Tug & Chase toys - A great tool for dogs who are by nature prey-driven creatures. We provide a safer space for them to meet this hereditary need while engaged with our staff in tug and chase games. Dogs will learn how to ‘drop it’ and ‘wait’ while playing this game. We keep a close eye to ensure the dog’s don’t become overstimulated when playing these higher intensity games.
Agility Gear - wildWOOF has weave poles, a single bar jump and a tire(hoop) jump. Agility is a great confidence builder and your dog learns a new skill too!
Sniffari’s - A sniffari is a slow paced, scent driven walk. We take your dog(s) on sniffari every time we go for a bathroom break.
more to come as we continue to develop this segment of our programming.
Small Group Play
At wildWOOF our playgroups are carefully curated base on size, breed, energy level and vibe. We assess each dog individually to ensure success in our program. We have a dedicated area for small dogs, and for puppies with at least one set of their core vaccines. Physical enrichment is so valuable when combined with one on one sensory enrichment and a chance to nap aka self-regulate. Our playgroups have between 6-10 dogs per group.
the nap & self regulation zone
Our nap zone is a calm, dimly lit, soft music space that is used to support your dog in relaxing on their own, and with some support if it’s needed. Dogs are given a blanket, bed or crate depending on their training, comfort and guardians wishes. In most cases dogs will be given a yummy chew toy like a stuffed kong or lick mat during their nap zone rotation.