Easy Enrichment Ideas for Puppies

Try simple activities

• Scatter part of a meal in a safe area for sniffing
• Hide a few treats in loosely folded towels while supervising
• Use a puppy-appropriate food toy
• Practice finding family members by name
• Teach a hand target, mat settle, or toy exchange
• Create a cardboard-box search game with all staples and tape removed

Match the challenge to the puppy

Start easy enough that your puppy succeeds. Help before frustration builds, supervise anything that can be torn or swallowed, and keep sessions short.

Include calming enrichment

Sniffing, licking, and safe chewing may support calm behavior. Exciting chase or tug games can be useful too, but follow them with a potty opportunity and quiet transition.

Use the puppy’s normal food

When appropriate, reserve part of a measured meal for games and training. This provides enrichment without automatically adding extra calories.

Health and safety note: This guide is educational and is not a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or a qualified reward-based trainer. Contact your veterinarian promptly about illness, injury, pain, ingestion of a hazardous item, or a sudden behavior change.