Dog Mental Health Matters: The Rise of Canine Enrichment Therapy

By: Ashley Ralls

1. Canine Mental Health Takes Center Stage In 2025, dog owners are finally embracing a long-overlooked truth—dogs need mental stimulation just as much as physical exercise. With rising awareness about anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues in pets, the focus is shifting to canine mental health and enrichment therapy. From puzzle toys to sniffari walks, enriching your dog’s mind is now considered essential, not optional.

2. What Is Enrichment Therapy? Enrichment therapy refers to activities that engage a dog’s senses, brain, and problem-solving abilities. These include nose work games, interactive feeders, agility courses, and even canine "puzzles" designed to mimic hunting or scavenging behaviors. It’s about more than just entertainment—it helps reduce anxiety, boredom, and destructive behavior by giving dogs purpose.

3. Post-Pandemic Pups Struggle Mentally A major driver of this trend is the behavioral shift noticed in “pandemic puppies.” Dogs raised during lockdowns are now facing overstimulation, separation anxiety, and socialization deficits as their owners return to normal life. Trainers and vets are seeing record cases of stress-related behaviors, prompting many owners to explore enrichment-based approaches.

4. Sniff Walks Over Speed Walks “Sniffaris” have gone viral on TikTok, showing owners slowing down on walks to let dogs sniff everything. This type of walk—where dogs lead and explore with their noses—can tire them out more effectively than a brisk jog. Olfactory stimulation engages large parts of a dog’s brain and reduces cortisol levels (the stress hormone).

5. The Enrichment Economy Is Booming In response, brands are launching an explosion of enrichment tools. Top sellers include Lickimats, treat-dispensing toys, scent trails, frozen puzzle feeders, and even dog "treadmills" with digital games. Subscription boxes like PupPod and BarkBox now offer monthly enrichment kits tailored to breed, size, and behavior type.

6. Training and Enrichment Combine Forward-thinking dog trainers now weave enrichment into their sessions. Instead of only teaching obedience, many incorporate scent work, food puzzles, and environmental exploration to build confidence and reduce fear-based behaviors. Some therapy dog organizations are even using enrichment protocols to better prepare dogs for emotional support roles.

7. DIY Enrichment Is on the Rise Many pet parents are getting creative at home—hiding treats in muffin tins under tennis balls, making frozen broth cubes, or building “snuffle mats” from fleece. These low-cost solutions help make enrichment accessible, regardless of budget. Online communities are sharing tips and challenges that encourage daily mental exercise alongside walks.

8. A New Standard in Pet Wellness Experts are hopeful that enrichment will become a standard part of dog care, much like daily walks and vet visits. By tending to a dog’s mental and emotional needs, owners can improve quality of life, prevent behavioral issues, and build a deeper bond with their pets. In 2025, mental enrichment is no longer a bonus—it’s a basic need.

As our understanding of canine psychology grows, the dog community is stepping up to provide more than just food and fetch. Enrichment therapy gives dogs the mental workout they crave—and the emotional balance they deserve. If you want a happy, well-behaved companion, start with their mind, not just their paws.