Why Enrichment Toys Don’t Solve Behavioural Problems

When addressing canine behavioural issues, it is important to look beyond temporary distractions and focus instead on the root of the problem. Behaviour challenges—whether reactivity, lead pulling, or separation anxiety—are rarely caused by simple boredom. More often, they reflect an imbalance or weakness in the relationship between the dog and the owner.

Enrichment tools such as snuffle mats, puzzle feeders, or food-dispensing toys are oftenmarketed as solutions. While these items may provide short-term self-engagement, they do not resolve underlying issues. At best, they occupy a dog until the food source is exhausted; at worst, they can inadvertently weaken the bond between dog and owner.

The central issue lies in the source of value. When a dog derives reward from an external object, that value shifts away from the human. Instead of looking to their owner for guidance and reward, the dog learns to seek satisfaction elsewhere. This dynamic does not build trust, leadership, or cooperation. It merely redirects the dog’s attention toward an object, thereby reinforcing independence at moments when partnership is most critical.

Furthermore, reliance on external enrichment can encourage secondary, undesirable behaviours. Dogs accustomed to finding reward in mats or puzzles may transfer those habits into scavenging, rummaging, or sniffing obsessively at the ground. Rather than strengthening focus on their handler, these tools risk fostering habits that work against training goals.

An alternative approach is to ensure that the dog consistently perceives the owner as the most valuable source of reward. Food, praise, play, and comfort should flow directly from the human, reinforcing the dog’s instinct to seek partnership. This concept emphasises that the human must remain central in the dog’s orbit of attention. When the owner is consistently the provider of meaningful rewards, the dog naturally turns to them for solutions, support, and direction.

Consider the widespread practice of withholding meals to use food as training motivation. This can be effective when managed correctly. However, when that withheld food is later provided through an enrichment device rather than directly from the owner, the moment of maximum value is transferred to the object. In that context, the dog is not learning to collaborate with the human; it is learning that the highest value lies elsewhere.

It is important to clarify that enrichment toys are not inherently problematic. They can provide mental stimulation, reduce idle time, and offer entertainment when used appropriately. However, they should not be mistaken for solutions to behavioural problems. True behavioural change comes from strengthening the bond between dog and owner, setting up trust, and training the dog to look to the human for guidance and reassurance.

Behavioural issues are best resolved through relationship-based training, not by outsourcing the problem to a mat or toy. By becoming the primary source of value, owners position themselves as their dog’s partner and problem-solver. In doing so, behavioural challenges diminish—not because they were distracted away, but because they were addressed at their source. The human.