Welcome to our Enrichment Program!
Some dogs are perfectly happy sticking with their regular daycare routine.
Others light up when they get to try something new.
Our Enrichment Program offers optional, rotating activities designed to add variety, novelty, and extra fun to your dog’s daycare day. Think of it like electives — not required, not right for every dog every day, but a great option for dogs who enjoy a change of pace.
What Is Enrichment at The Dog Den?
At The Dog Den, enrichment isn’t about fixing problems or filling gaps. It’s about giving dogs opportunities to explore, think, move, and engage in ways they enjoy.
Our standard daycare already includes well-managed play and appropriate rest. Enrichment activities are an optional bonus for dogs who enjoy extra experiences, one-on-one attention, or trying something different.
Some dogs love it. Some prefer to keep things simple. Both are perfectly okay.
How the Monthly Enrichment Program Works
Each month, we rotate through a variety of enrichment activities. Dogs can participate weekly or occasionally, depending on interest and availability.
Activities may include:
🐾 Tactile Enrichment
Confidence-building activities like balance work, obstacle courses, new surfaces, and exploring novel objects.
👃 Sensory Enrichment
Sniffing, searching, digging, and using the senses to explore — great for dogs who love to investigate the world with their nose.
🎓 Skill-Building Enrichment
Learning a new trick or building on an existing skill in a fun, low-pressure way.
🏃 Physical Enrichment
One-on-one time focused on what your dog enjoys most — tug, fetch, pool time, or simply spending focused time with a staff member.
Food Enrichment (Available Anytime)
Food enrichment options like lick mats and Kongs are available as an add-on for $10.
These can be added:
if you forget your dog’s lunch
if your dog enjoys an extra brain game
or if they benefit from something calming during rest time
Just let us know at drop-off, give us a call, or email info@thedogden.com.
Is Enrichment Right for My Dog?
Enrichment tends to be a great fit for dogs who:
enjoy novelty or variety
like one-on-one attention
enjoy puzzles, sniffing, or learning new things
That said, enrichment is always optional. Some dogs thrive sticking with the core daycare experience — and that’s perfectly fine.
We’re happy to help you decide what your dog might enjoy, now or later.
Enrichment Membership
$15/month (billed monthly)
Members receive:
50% off drop-in enrichment activities
Priority access when space is limited
Memberships must be purchased in advance for the month and are billed on the 1st. Cancel anytime.
Drop-In Activities
$20 per activity
If your dog participates in two or more activities per month, the membership typically saves money.
This Month’s Enrichment Activities
October Enrichment Themes
🍁 10/5–10/9: Fall Is in the Air
Bring on the sights, smells, and textures of fall! Dogs will sniff, search, and explore piles of leaves while discovering hidden scents and surprises along the way.
Sniffing and searching encourage natural foraging behaviors and provide plenty of mental stimulation, while the leaves offer a fun seasonal sensory experience. Sometimes enrichment really is as simple as letting dogs stick their noses into a pile of leaves!
👻 10/12–10/16: Ghosts & Ghouls
Things are getting spooky! Dogs will search for hidden ghosts, investigate sheets, disappear behind them, find their way out from underneath them—and may even get the chance to become a little ghost themselves. 👻
These unusual objects and experiences give dogs opportunities to practice problem-solving and body awareness while building confidence around new sights, textures, and experiences.
💀 10/19–10/23: Hangman
Our cardboard skeleton is ready for some bone-rattling fun! Dogs will sniff, search, investigate, and interact with our silly skeleton through a variety of activities.
Meeting something new and a little unusual gives dogs a chance to use their brains and decide how they want to explore. Who knew a pile of cardboard bones could provide so much enrichment? 🦴
🏚️ 10/26–10/30: Haunted House
For our grand finale, dogs will brave our very own Haunted House!
They’ll navigate different compartments, dead ends, boxes, balloon pumpkins, ghosts, spiders, streamers, and other Halloween surprises. This big spooky adventure combines problem-solving, sensory exploration, novel surfaces and objects, and confidence-building—all while letting each dog explore at their own comfort level.
Ready to Join?
New to enrichment? Fill out the enrichment form below to get started.
Enrichment is currently available for our daycare clients.
Questions?
Ask your Playgroup Leader or email enrichment@thedogden.com.