Enrichment

Here at Tail Gate, we understand that dogs need more than just physical exercise. While this is an important part of their life, exploring Enrichment is just as important. We have created our Enrichment Program to highlight this aspect of their life and provide you with additional services to meet these needs. 

What Is "Enrichment"?
Enrichment allows your dog to explore and use their instincts by promoting natural, biological behaviors through various items, exercises, and activities in a safe, productive, and stimulating way. 

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What is the benefit of Enrichment?
Enrichment helps to provide Mental and Physical stimulation. This can help reduce boredom and anxiety, manage energy, keep your dog active and entertain, and much more!

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What types of Enrichment are there?
There are 5 main categories of enrichment, each focusing on a biological need of your dog and promoting the appropriate behavior.

1. Food Enrichment: Prolong feeding, introduce new food items, or present their food in a new, fun way
2. Sensory Enrichment: Target and Work the 5 senses - Sight, Sound, Touch, Smell, and Taste
3. Cognitive Enrichment: Provides mental stimulation by offering a challenge or problem that must be solved
4. Social Enrichment: Introduce your dog to other dogs, people, and environments to gain social skills and build confidence 
5. Habitat Enrichment: Exploring and/or alternating the physical space your dog occupies on a daily basis 

Available Programs

Friday Field Day

Every Friday we offer a different Enrichment activity for Daycare. From Tunnels to Treadmills, Snuffle mats to Puzzles, each week is different and will target one of the categories of Enrichment. Activities will take place during your dog's daycare day. This program is available to all who sign-up in advance.

*Independent Daycare

Tail Gate understands that not all dogs are the same and so we have created an alternative daycare option for you. Independent Daycare is designed for dogs who do better with their human friends over other dogs. Dogs enrolled in this program will have a scheduled day full of various Enrichment activities provided in a one-on-one setting. This program is offered Monday - Friday from 8am - 5pm and is available for both Half-day and Full-days of daycare.

*This program will be effective February 1st, 2025.