There are many tricks to promote relaxation and well-being in dogs, among which you can find searching activities. They are some of the most commonly used activities in shelters and kennels across the world.
This AnimalWised article will explain why it's so important to practice them regularly and how to carry them out. Discover the benefits of searching activities for dogs and start using them every time you go to the woods or find yourself in an appropriate place.
Read on and discover what we're talking about!
What are searching activities?
Searching activities consist of spreading food or treats on the floor. If possible, you should do it in a wooded area (with uneven ground) which is minimally clean. These are ideal conditions, but feel free to try them in the best place you can find. They can also be done in your garden or terrace.
This kind of activity improves and trains the dog's sense of smell, whilst making them feel comfortable and relaxed. They find these activities really fun, as they clearly love finding all the grains of food that have been scattered all over the floor.
Are searching activities suitable for my dog?
While searching activities can be done with any dog as a fun and enriching activity, they are also very suitable for dogs that suffer from the following problems:
- Dogs that suffer from anxiety
- Dogs that are stressed
- Dogs that eat too fast
Sniffing as an indication of well-being:
You should know that if a dog doesn't sniff during its walks, or worse, you don't allow it to, you're encouraging it to be nervous and stressed. It's one of the most common errors of dog walking. Dogs need to sniff so that they know where they are. It's a way of channeling their stress and improving their well-being.
Check out our informative article on why dogs like to sniff the ground so much.
If you want to read similar articles to Searching Activities for Dogs, we recommend you visit our Animal games and fun category.