Environmental Enrichment For Dogs In Shelters

I observe that environmental enrichment is not properly applied for animals in shelters, especially for dogs. For the most part, what is done is either a.) giving the dogs a stuffed Kong; or b.) letting them run around a play yard. 

That isn't environmental enrichment.

So, here is a goal: for each dog, your job should be to a.) maintain all normal behaviors; b.) do behavior modification for all abnormal behaviors; and c.) help the dogs acquire skills that will allow them to adapt into a new home. 

Just giving a dog a stuffed toy doesn't do this. Just letting a dog run around in a play area doesn't do that. 

Maybe I should write a much longer article on this, but for now, chew on what I've said here.

Plan accordingly.