My New Enrichment Project!

I haven’t always been the most creative eater. Growing up, my food palate was pretty bland. But as I made the choice to become a vegetarian and started making conscious efforts to fuel myself and improve my health through diet, I became more adventurous. Now, I enjoy cooking food. It is something I found myself more drawn to when the pandemic started and caused us all to be homebound. And now that we have moved to a small piece of property and expanded our garden, it is a craft I have leaned into. I am still learning myself. I follow a few bloggers and try a recipe here and there, then resort to combining items in my fridge to recreate something with my own spin. I genuinely enjoy combining flavors and creating new and unique meals. And the best part is that cooking is something that destresses me and passively builds my relationship with my dogs. I usually have a furry four-footer, or two, camped underneath me as I prepare, especially when it is time to pay the cheese tax! 

I mean, seriously. dead asleep to at my feet. How do they do that?!

While cooking, I often find myself giving pieces of food to the dogs here and there for good behavior like laying down and waiting patiently. But, I decided to take on a new fun project recently and share these snacks with my dogs with a little more intention, and so we have our enrichment recipes. While some of these will be more elaborate and require some planning (like how as a vegetarian, I just stuffed and baked a whole chicken just for the dogs!), some will also include my classic go-to recipes that are helpful to resort to at the last minute and during busy weeks. And the biggest relief will be the collection of recipes that help you figure out creative ways to use that fresh produce before it goes bad and store it for later.

Rewarding good behavior in the kitchen...or, capturing cute new tricks... okay, I see why the dogs like me cooking.

As of now, I have decided on three categories: 1. Dinner Leftovers: The hope is to help you plan ways to reuse your own meals and repurpose them for the dogs! Depending on your meals, this can include them eating the same dinner, or it may (based on certain vegetables or seasoning) mean you have to separate a few ingredients for the dogs along the way. And if you haven’t planned your own dinner yet, maybe the recipe for your dog will inspire you to prepare food for yourself! Hah! 2. Classic Go-Tos: While some of these puzzles will be elaborate and pretty, let’s face it… Some weeks, we just don't have time for meal prep. Whether you are under the weather, slammed at work, or feeling lazy, we just don't always have the time needed for extra cooking. There are a few things at my canine-focused household that I always have on hand for them, and a few food items I always have for myself. The recipes in this category are designed to be quick, repeatable, and easy, aka minimal prep and clean-up. And of course, dog-approved! 3. Stay Fresh: These are (mostly) easy and quick ways to give a second life and purpose to the fresh items in your fridge. After garden harvest or on slower cooking weeks, we aren’t able to prepare enough meals or store food before it goes to waste. And I HATE throwing food away. These recipes will give you ideas on how you can use fresh produce (mostly fruits and veggies) and repurpose them into dog-safe snacks, treats, or fancy toppers for food enrichment puzzles. While all of my dogs are currently adults and are experienced puzzle solvers, I know that food taste preferences and puzzle-solving skill levels vary from dog to dog. Some puppies who are just learning how to work for food may need the puzzle to be easier. And some dogs, usually teenagers, have a lower work drive and are quickly frustrated, resulting in them leaving the toy. But, for experienced puzzle solvers, we may modify the build in order to get us a few more minutes of peace and quiet so we can finish our movie night. It is always important as you build enrichment for your dog, that you make it enjoyable and solvable. So, many of our recipes will also include variations on prep for puzzle difficulty as well as some tips for picky eaters, so you can modify each recipe to best suit your dogs!    

Generally, the more uniformly frozen, the more difficult. The goal is for the dog to stay engaged and calm until they finish. Throwing the toy around and even walking away completely are signs they may be frustrated.

Throughout the recipes, you will see a lot of Toppls, but there are a variety of toys on the market that you can use. Consider your dog's size and how experienced they are as you stuff and fill. And if you are new to food enrichment, check out this old live video I did where I review the variety of toys on the market and how to use them. And as always, it is important to know your dog and how to care for them. Some foods and quantities, like large amounts of fat, can cause gastrointestinal distress or pancreatitis. Some human foods, like alcohol and grapes, are considered toxins and not safe to feed. Here are two links below to disclose some common concerns, and don't be afraid to consult with your veterinary team as an added precaution, especially if your dog has a history of gastrointestinal issues, allergies, or medical challenges. https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/poison-proof-your-home/kitchen/https://animalemergencyservice.com.au/blog/toxic-foods-for-dogs-cats/

I am excited to share my fun little side project with you all. I have always loved using food enrichment to help meet energy requirements, promote relaxation, and teach independence. But this new avenue has slowly come into the works and has brought both me and my dogs some happiness, so I hope it can do the same for you. And who knows, maybe it will inspire you to cook better for yourself!