Stoke-based pet photographer, Alan Dukes, has shared his top ten 'fun and enriching' games to play with your dogs. 

Alan is an award-winning pet photographer who offers on-location photoshoots, end-of-life sessions and stunning wall art for your home. 

He said: "Canine enrichment is all about enhancing your dog's quality of life by appealing to their natural behaviours like foraging, exploring, and problem-solving. 

"Enrichment games benefit your pup's physical health, mental health, and behaviour. 

"By engaging in different types of enrichment—cognitive, physical, social, sensory—we ensure a well-rounded routine for our dogs."

It is important that dogs get mental as well as physical stimulation (Unsplash).

Here are Alan's top ten enrichment games to play with your pet:

Hide and Seek

Hide and Seek isn't just a childhood favorite; it's a wonderful game to play with your furry friend, too. This classic game taps into your dog's natural instincts to hunt and forage, testing their scent tracking abilities, patience, and recall skills.

The Shell Game

The Shell Game is a popular cognitive enrichment game that works to improve your dog's problem-solving skills and scent tracking abilities. This fun and challenging game will not only keep your dog mentally stimulated but also keep them physically engaged as they excitedly watch and sniff out the treat.

Tug of War

Tug of War is a time-honoured game that dogs of all sizes and breeds enjoy. It can be an excellent source of exercise and mental stimulation for your dog, and it's also a great way to bond with them.

Treasure Hunt

Treasure Hunt is a great enrichment game that leverages your dog's natural instincts to forage and hunt. This game requires them to use their senses and cognitive skills, providing mental stimulation alongside physical exercise.

Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys are a wonderful way to provide mental stimulation for your dog. They require your pet to solve a problem in order to get a reward (usually a treat), which can be both engaging and rewarding.

Pet puzzles require your dog to solve a problem in order to get a reward (Unsplash).

Obstacle Course

Creating an obstacle course for your dog can be a fun and engaging way to provide physical exercise, mental stimulation, and improve their agility and obedience.

The Name Game

The Name Game is a fun and rewarding way to improve your dog's vocabulary and listening skills. The premise of this game is teaching your dog to associate specific objects with their names.

Flirt Pole

A flirt pole, also known as a "dog teaser," is a piece of dog training equipment that is excellent for training, exercising, and mental stimulation. It's essentially a long pole with a lure attached to a string at the end, mimicking the movements of prey and triggering your dog's chase instinct.

Kibble Hunt

Kibble Hunt, also known as a "food scavenger hunt," can be a great way to engage your dog's natural foraging instincts while also providing mental and physical stimulation. This game involves hiding pieces of your dog's kibble around a specific area and encouraging them to sniff them out.

Fetch with a twist

Fetch is a classic game that many dogs naturally love. However, you can add a twist to make it even more mentally stimulating and fun for your dog.

To find out more information about each of these games and read Alan's top tips, visit his blog. 

To book a photoshoot for your pooch, fill out this online form and Alan will be in touch.

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