Dog enrichment explained: How to keep your dog happy, calm & fulfilled with Shay Kelly

Podcast

Discover why dog enrichment isn’t just a luxury but a daily essential, and how simple, affordable activities can transform your dog’s wellbeing.

Welcome to The Yappy Hour, powered by Yappily! 🎉

In this episode of The Yappy Hour, host Nathan Dunleavy chats with canine enrichment expert and author Shay Kelly.

Together they explore why enrichment is crucial for every dog’s mental health and happiness, how it prevents common behaviour problems, and simple ways you can enrich your dog’s daily life, without spending a fortune. Whether you have a bouncy puppy, a senior dog, or a nervous rescue, this conversation is full of practical, heart-centred advice that every dog parent will want to hear.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why enrichment is essential for your dog’s wellbeing (not just an “extra”)

✅ The five key types of enrichment every guardian should know

✅ How to spot when your dog isn’t getting enough stimulation

✅ Simple, budget-friendly enrichment ideas you can try today

✅ Ways to adapt enrichment for puppies, seniors, and nervous dogs

✅ How enrichment links to behaviour and prevents common problems

Key Takeaways:

Enrichment isn’t optional, it’s vital for your dog’s mental health and quality of life.
Shay’s five categories of enrichment: safety, food foraging, non-food activities, natural behaviours, and companionship/bonding.
Dogs that lack enrichment may develop behaviour issues, or even shut down completely.
Enrichment doesn’t need to be expensive: cardboard boxes, towels, toilet roll tubes, and snuffle mats can all provide joy.
Every dog is different – tailor enrichment to their age, personality, and needs.
Choice and agency are key: enrichment should empower dogs, not frustrate them.

🎙️ Thanks for tuning in! Let’s celebrate the joy and challenges of dog parenting together, because we’re all here for the dogs. 🐾

Connect with Shay

Shay’s Canine Enrichment Facebook Group

Follow Shay on Facebook

Shay’s website

Connect with Nathan and Yappily

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