“It’s Not Just a Walk: Why Enrichment Should Match Your Dog’s Breed”
A Chrysalis K9 Blog by Claire Martin
🐾 More Than a Walk in the Park
Most dog owners know that dogs need more than just food, cuddles, and the occasional stroll. But if your dog is still bouncing off the walls after a long walk—or chewing the skirting board while you’re out—it might not be more activity they need. It might be the right kind.
Enrichment isn’t about tiring your dog out. It’s about giving them a chance to be the dog they were born to be.
And breed plays a huge part in that.
🧠 What Is Enrichment, Really?
Enrichment means giving your dog safe, rewarding ways to express their natural behaviours. It’s more than just toys. It’s how we meet their emotional and cognitive needs—on top of their physical ones.
Think of it as adding texture to your dog’s day. Enrichment can be:
Mental – puzzles, trick training, problem-solving
Physical – running, jumping, digging, exploring
Social – play with humans or dog friends (if appropriate)
Sensory – sniffing, licking, watching wildlife
Environmental – changes to layout, new walking routes
Occupational – jobs like finding, carrying, alerting
Dietary – food-based enrichment like scatter feeding or chews
Done well, enrichment helps your dog relax, settle, and feel fulfilled. Skipped or mismatched, it can lead to frustration, barking, chewing, shadow chasing, or overexcitement.
🔍 Why Breed Matters
Every breed was developed to do something specific. Whether that’s chasing, guarding, retrieving, or herding, our dogs are wired with centuries of instinct. And even if they’re a beloved rescue or crossbreed, those instincts don’t just switch off in a pet home.
When we ignore that drive, dogs often invent their own “jobs”:
Gun dogs might steal socks and parade them proudly.
Collies may herd the children or nip at heels.
Terriers dig under fences or rip up beds.
Sighthounds chase cats, shadows—or worse.
But when we honour their instincts, enrichment becomes calming, confidence-building, and joyful.
🧬 Enrichment Ideas by Breed Type
🦴 Sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets, Lurchers)
Love: Watching, chasing, sprinting
Try: Flirt poles, hoopers, high-up resting spots, soft catch-and-cuddle toys
Caution: Avoid overdoing chase games—rest is just as vital
🦆 Gun Dogs (Labradors, Spaniels, Vizslas)
Love: Retrieving, scenting, working alongside you
Try: Dummy retrieves, scatter feeding, scentwork games, trick training
Caution: Don’t rely on endless walks—they often need more mental than physical work
🐾 Terriers (Jack Russells, Patterdales, Borders)
Love: Digging, destroying, problem-solving
Try: DIY dig pits, destroyable toys, scent trails, tug games
Caution: Be mindful of over-arousal—structure helps
🐕 Herding & Guarding Breeds (Collies, GSDs, Malinois, Rottweilers)
Love: Control, movement, watching, working with you
Try: Interactive trick routines, boundary games, nose work, middle positions
Caution: Fixation can build without outlets—sniffing and disengagement games help
💥 When Enrichment Misses the Mark
Sometimes I see owners doing loads of enrichment—but it still backfires.
A frustrated Malinois with nothing but puzzle toys will explode.
A retired Greyhound pushed into agility might shut down.
A young Spaniel walked for miles every day may still shred the curtains.
Enrichment isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s not about how much you do—it’s about choosing the right type for the dog in front of you.
Think of it like this: a Border Collie isn’t a Labrador with longer hair. And a Greyhound isn’t just a sleepy dog on stilts. Their brains and bodies speak different languages. Enrichment is how we listen.
🧠 A Bit of Science
Enrichment reduces stress hormones, improves behaviour, and boosts learning (Young, 2003; Rooney & Bradshaw, 2006). It’s also part of meeting your dog’s legal welfare needs in the UK.
The Animal Welfare Act (2006) says dogs must be allowed to express normal behaviours. Enrichment is the most joyful way to meet that need.
💬 Let’s Bust a Few Myths
❌ “A tired dog is a good dog.”
Not if they’re overstimulated or flooded.
❌ “Walks are enough.”
For some dogs? Maybe. But not for most, especially adolescents.
✅ “The right kind of tired is the goal.”
Think calm, content, fulfilled—not flat-out on the floor.
🧭 Enrichment Supports Training
This isn’t just “nice to have”—it can be the missing piece in your training puzzle.
Scentwork can reduce reactivity.
Chewing can help curb demand barking.
Trick training builds focus and communication.
Many behaviour problems I see ease up just by giving dogs what they were bred to do—safely, and with joy.
🌞 Want to Learn More?
Join us for a Chrysalis K9 Summer Camp or Weekender – they’re bursting with enrichment tailored to your dog’s breed, brain and body.
Whether you’ve got a sniffer, a chaser or a digger, we’ll help you turn instinct into inspiration. 🐶
🔗 Explore More from Chrysalis K9
🐾 Hoopers Classes
🐾 Recall for Real Life – Sighthound Edition coming soon!
🐾 Book a One-to-One Enrichment Consult