Dog Star Park

You walk your dog for an hour a day, feed him twice, play with him for a while… and even so, when you get home, you find the chewed sofa, the shredded cushions or a rug torn to shreds.

If this sounds familiar, take a breath: the problem is not that your dog is destructive or lazy. It's that he's bored.

The science of canine behavior is clear: dogs need to use their brains as much as —or more than— their legs. Physical exercise tires the body for a while; mental stimulation tires them for real and in a lasting way. A dog that works his nose, solves problems and discovers new things ends the day pleasantly exhausted… and happy.

Environmental enrichment is any modification to your dog's environment that increases their physical and psychological well-being. It's not about having more toys (although that helps). It's about giving them opportunities to behave like a dog: sniffing, solving, chewing, exploring, playing, and making decisions.

And the best part: you don't need to leave the house to put it into practice. With a little creativity and everyday objects, you can transform your dog's boredom into a life full of interesting stimuli.