01/07/2026
Most pet owners are using enrichment toys wrong, but usually through no fault of their own.
Somewhere along the way, a lot of people have been given the impression that snuffle toys are something you fill with treats, leave on the floor, and walk away from.
They are even sometimes suggested as a distraction for dogs with separation anxiety, but that advice can be misleading.
One of the main signs of separation anxiety or distress can be destructive behaviour. So if a dog is already distressed when left alone, giving them a fleece enrichment toy and heading out may not be the safest option.
Snuffle toys are designed for calm, supervised enrichment. They are not chew toys, unsupervised toys, or something to sit in the toy box all day.
Start simple. Scatter a few treats loosely on top, stay nearby while your dog works them out, and remove the toy once they have finished.
Over time, this helps your dog understand that the toy is for sniffing and foraging, not chewing or pulling apart.
Snuffle toys can last for years in the right circumstances, but they are not indestructible. How they are introduced, used and stored makes a huge difference.
Enrichment should feel calm, safe and supportive. Not like something your dog is left to figure out alone.
Know someone who’s thinking about trying enrichment toys? Send this their way. 📨
A huge thank you to Lucy Thompson for letting me use her gorgeous puppy Bear for this post. Isn’t he the cutest little model?
