Monday, May 26, 2014

Ideas for Dog Enrichment Activities Outdoors

As many know, my dogs are inside dogs with pretty much unlimited outdoor privileges via a doggy door.  Sometimes they choose to spend a great deal of time outside.  We have cuddle and training time in the house, and they are taken on frequent walks and adventures away from the house.

I am always looking for ways to make things fun for them, to keep their brains and their bodies stimulated, working, and tired.  Having a yard to run around in is nice, but I wanted something more for them in the yard.

I found some ideas on Pinterest that interested me.





Some of my dogs favorite things are climbing, jumping, and splashing/swimming in water.

We have a heavy duty 180 gallon livestock tank that I had purchased to use as a brooder box for the chicks.  It is a perfect big dog swimming pool, and has a plug for easy draining and cleaning.  Using some scrap wood we have, we built a low platform for it, and a taller platform next to it for the dogs to hide under, and jump on.  We also placed two cinder blocks in the bottom of the tank to make a step for Neeko, as she is not comfortable jumping straight down into the tub.

enrichment for wolfdog

make a dog swimming pool


Some other ideas for outdoor enrichment activities include:
  • A sandbox for safe, appropriate digging;
  • Kiddie swimming pools;
  • Agility equipment; and
  • Hiding treats in upside down buckets or bales of hay/straw.
Any other ideas for outdoor enrichment activities?

16 comments:

  1. Those are some great ideas but our garden is so small but luckily the park is on the top of our road. Have a great Memorial Day and a marvellous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

    ReplyDelete
  2. That's a cool idea! Perfect for the summer weather coming up too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! My dogs get hot easily, but enjoy being outside. I am hoping this will allow them to enjoy more outside time this summer.

      Delete
  3. I wish my garden was big enough for some of those

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wows, that is pawsome!!! I would totally loves hidin' under the platform! As for the water ~ yeah, no thanks! BOL though it does look like a FABulous water bowl...
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a BIG water bowl, and all three of them have used it as such.

      Delete
  5. Great ideas! Thanks for sharing these!!!! I have been thinking about doing something like this in our yard!
    ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great ideas for outdoor doggy fun. I love the fact that they can hide under the platform. My pups like to hide under bushes.

    --Wags (and purrs) from Life with Dogs and Cats

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oooh! I didn't think to look to Pinterest. Totally should have! As we get ready to go back to Bloomington, I've been thinking of ways to improve our yard there (it's TINY!), and you've inspired me... Going to go make a board to start working on this, and pin some of your ideas!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such great ideas! That looks like an amazing outdoor adventure! ALL of that would be awesome to have! lol We might have to begin plans for some of this... A doggie sandbox is definitely on the horizon, since there are some real diggers around here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I need to incorporate the sand box idea in my yard somehow, as well.

      Delete
  9. Aww, this is so awesome! My dog loves playing in a kiddie pool, so I bet he would like this pool you made. It's so nice to see how happy your dogs are. They are so loved.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. That means a lot to me, coming from you. I really do love them, and many people do not understand it.

      Delete
  10. I have been impressed after read this because of some quality work and informative thoughts. I just want to say thanks for the writer and wish you all the best for coming! Your exuberance is refreshing. 5 Simple Ways to Get Your Dog to Pay Attention

    ReplyDelete
  11. For the vast majority trapped in rush hour gridlock, the main media choices are radio and announcements. Best Fish finders

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for the howls!!