Know Your Dog’s Drives: Finding Their Favorite Kind of Enrichment

If “enrichment” sounds like something that requires a craft bin and a PhD in canine psychology, take a breath — it’s really about helping your dog do what dogs naturally love to do. Every dog has built-in instincts, shaped by their breed and personality, that fall into certain behavioral categories.
Understanding those drives (or fixed modal action patterns) helps you choose enrichment that feels deeply satisfying — not just entertaining.

The Forager

These are the dogs who believe every smell could lead to treasure. They love to use their noses, rummage through grass, and work for their food.
How to enrich them:

• Scatter kibble in the yard or toss treats into a snuffle mat
  
  

• Try “find it” games indoors or outdoors
  
  

• Hide toys or chews around the house
  
  

Foraging taps into the search and consume parts of a dog’s natural behavioral chain, satisfying curiosity and reducing stress.

The Shredder

Some dogs just want to rip things apart — and that’s okay. Shredding mimics the dissect stage of the predatory sequence and provides a huge dopamine release.
Try:

• Stuffing cardboard boxes with paper and treats
  
  

• Wrapping kibble in paper towel rolls
  
  

• Letting them “unpack” safe recyclable materials
  
  

It’s messy, but it beats your shoes. Supervise and remove small pieces when they’re done.

The Chaser

Chasers are all about motion — the sight of a ball or toy triggers that must-catch-it instinct.
Great outlets include:

• Fetch or flirt pole play
  
  

• Tug games that encourage cooperation
  
  

• Controlled chase games with clear start and stop cues
  
  

These activities engage the orient → stalk → chase → grab parts of the chain, offering the thrill of the hunt in a safe, structured way.

The Digger

If your dog loves flowerbeds a little too much, they’re probably a digger at heart. Digging helps release energy and cool down the body.
Provide a legal outlet:

• A sandbox filled with buried toys
  
  

• Blanket “burrow” piles indoors
  
  

You’ll protect your garden and your dog’s sanity at the same time.

The Sniffer

Some dogs live through their noses — it’s their primary way of understanding the world. For them, walks aren’t about mileage; they’re about information.

Best options:

• Sniff walks where your dog leads the way and sets the pace
  
  

• Scent games like hiding treats or toys in boxes
  
  

• Long-line exploration, giving them freedom while staying connected
  

 The Social Player

Finally, don’t forget the dogs whose favorite enrichment is you. Cooperative play — tug, training games, nose work, or even a calm grooming session — satisfies social and bonding instincts.

Try:

• Trick training with high-value treats
  
  

• Cooperative tug games
  
  

• “Follow me” leash games for engagement on walks
  
  

Social play strengthens your relationship and gives structure to that endless “pay attention to me” energy.

Wrapping It Up

The best enrichment meets your dog’s specific drives. Pay attention to what lights them up — the nose, the paws, the jaws — and build on that. Enrichment isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s about knowing who’s in front of you and giving them an outlet for their instincts in a safe, fulfilling way.