Bone Worx, LLC

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    • Home
    • Founder
    • Contact
    • Pet Sits & Drop-ins
    • Enrichment
    • Training
    • Walking
    • Kind Words
    • Photo Gallery
    • FAQ's

Bone Worx, LLC

Bone Worx, LLCBone Worx, LLCBone Worx, LLC
  • Home
  • Founder
  • Contact
  • Pet Sits & Drop-ins
  • Enrichment
  • Training
  • Walking
  • Kind Words
  • Photo Gallery
  • FAQ's

Bored dog?

Your dog isn’t misbehaving—they’re just bored out of their mind. When dogs don’t get the challenge, connection, and purpose they crave, chaos ensues (chewed shoes, anyone?). That’s why enrichment isn’t optional—it’s essential. Think of it as a gym membership, puzzle room, and social club all rolled into one.

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Did you know that enrichment isn't a luxury—it's essential? 


The Oregon Zoo is a pioneer in animal enrichment. The zoo enriches the lives of animals through stimulating and challenging environments, objects, and activities.


It was here in the 1980s that the concept of environmental enrichment was established. The first international animal enrichment conference was held at the Oregon Zoo in 1993.


Today, animal care staff around the world are innovating enrichment techniques throughout their zoos.


Much like zoo animals, dogs in home environments can experience stress, boredom, and anxiety when their natural instincts are stifled.



What is canine enrichment?


Enrichment is any activity that taps into your dog's breed-specific behaviors and stimulates your dog's body and mind, encouraging them to do what they were born to do—sniff, dig, chase, problem-solve, and play. It reduces stress, builds confidence, and even helps with issues like separation anxiety. Best of all, it's scientifically backed! 


When you introduce the right kinds of daily enrichment:


  • You stimulate your dog's brain
  • You reduce stress and anxiety
  • You prevent unwanted behaviors


Enrichment is essential. Whether you've got a high-drive herder or a laid-back couch pup, every dog thrives when their environment supports their instincts.


  • Scent hounds love nose work
  • Sighthounds need to chase
  • Herding breeds want to organize and control movement
  • And some just want to play


The best part? You don't need hours or a ton of money. Enrichment can be as simple as a cardboard box and some treats.



Why it matters


Dogs who don't get enough stimulation often look for their own entertainment—cue the chewed shoes and destroyed couch cushions. With regular enrichment, your dog becomes happier, healthier, and better behaved.


"Enrichment isn't optional—it's an act of love. Backed by science. Powered by play." 


Enrichment Toy & Treat Recommendations

Snuffle Mat


    Bubbles - Great year around

    Share bubbles year-round. Gazilliion bubbes are safe for dogs.

    digging Mat

    This is a Crinkle Mat for cats. Doxies are known to dig. It's better to be on a mat and not your carpet. 


    Video

    Flirt Pole

    KONG Extreme

    KONG can help calm your pet and support them through challenging situations.


    snuffle mat

    Great varieties online.

    Snuffle mat

    You can find snuffle mats online, but the biggest and best are the ones you make yourself.


    KONG Wobbler

    Ditch the dish and let them work for their meal. 

    Milk Jug

    It's just a basic plastic jug you might recycle.

    That's a free enrichment toy!


    Herding ball

    Herding balls are an innovative type of dog toy specifically designed to provide both mental and physical stimulation for herding breeds. 

    magic bowls

    Visit your local Dollar Tree for your plastic bowls.


    Lickimat "tuff"

    Snuffle Ball

    You can find snuffle mats online, but the biggest and best are the ones you make yourself.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    There has been a lot of research conducted about canine enrichment. There are many types of enrichment available. They generally fall into two main categories:


    • Passive enrichment provides sensory stimulation but no direct contact or control. This type of enrichment is commonly used due to its potential to benefit multiple animals simultaneously and requires minimal direct animal contact. 


    • Active enrichment can be defined as enrichment that requires the animal to engage in some form of physical activity or direct interaction with the enrichment object. 


    Here are the most common types of enrichment for dogs.


    Visual (passive)

    • Visual enrichment is a type of sensory enrichment that engages your dog's sight, utilizing both stationary and moving visual images.


    Auditory (passive)

    • Auditory enrichment engages the sense of hearing in your dog. This type of enrichment is beneficial to any dog but can be particularly helpful if your dog is afraid of loud noises or if you live in a busy area. 


    Nutritional or Oral (active)

    • Food-based enrichment encourages dogs to use their natural skills to forage and search for food. This type of enrichment is excellent for getting your dog's body moving and provides some variety in their day by changing the way they eat. 


    Social (active)

    • We all know that socialization is an essential part of being happy and fulfilled as a human, and it's no different for dogs. Social enrichment encompasses any activity where your dog will interact with new people or other dogs.


    Physical (active)

    • Physical enrichment, in the form of human interaction, is an essential part of a dog's life, also known as training. Training with your dog fosters the relationship and trust between you and your dog. It provides social interaction and stimulation, and it's a lot of fun!


    Environmental or Exploration (active)

    • This is the most important type of enrichment that is often overlooked. This is about making your dog's living space an interesting and stimulating environment. Keeping your dog in the same environment every day can lead to boredom and often results in destructive behaviors, which can also be self-harming, such as excessive licking and chewing of paws.


    Olfactory (active)

    • Dogs love to use their noses, and it's not surprising that they have up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about 6 million in humans. Dogs sniff everything, which is why enrichment is such a fun activity.


    Cognitive or Mental (active)

    • Cognitive enrichment engages your dog's brain. Cognitive enrichment encompasses any activity that requires your dog to think, assigns them a task, or engages multiple senses simultaneously. This type of enrichment can also keep your dog occupied for a while and increase their overall fitness.



    Enrichment is excellent for puppies, and there's so much you can utilize during puppyhood. Studies show that puppies engaged 64% of their time with enrichment toys and activities if given a choice. That's 64% less time trying to destroy couches and shoes!


    Contrary to popular belief, old dogs CAN learn new tricks. Adding behavioral enrichment into the lives of aging dogs impacts their cognitive abilities and slows age-dependent cognitive decline. Not only is enrichment suitable for senior dogs, but integrating enrichment can positively affect the aging process for senior canines.


    Enrichment is far more than just destruction—usually the opposite. When we give our dogs a legal outlet for these species-specific behaviors, we typically see any problem behaviors decrease.  


    Yes! Feeding enrichment isn't just for fun. Looking at the differences between dogs who were given stuffed Kongs vs. those who were not in a shelter setting. When given feeding enrichment, dogs had increased activity and appetitive levels. There was also less frequent barking with dogs who had enrichment in their routines. 


    • Gives a feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction
    • Reduces boredom-related behavior problems
    • Stimulates and assists in brain growth
    • Increases intelligence and problem-solving abilities
    • Builds confidence and social skills
    • Allows dogs to be dogs and do dog things
    • Creates a more balanced and happier dog
    • Weight loss in dogs who actively work for their meals
    • Increased focus and concentration
    • Builds stronger bonds through interactive play
    • Protects against age-associated cognitive decline and dementiR



    Nina Ottosson hide n' slide puzzle

    digging


    kong genius "Mike"

    Connect KONG Genius "Mike" and "Leo" for a more challenging puzzle.

    West Paw Zogoflex toppl

    Use the toppl individually or connect for more fun.


    Treat Puzzle

    Nina Ottosson

    Treat Puzzle

    KADTC puzzles have three levels of difficulty in one puzzle.


    Pet Zone IQ Treat Ball

    There are three levels of difficulty in this toy.

    Starmark bento

    Maggie is a resource guarder of food dispensing puzzles. She takes every last one, like a ninja moving in the night.


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