Keywords

dog enrichment, pet photography, Labrador care, dog nutrition, creative dog meals, enrichment ideas, dog care tips, pet lifestyle, dog training, dog owner advice, Sodapup, lick mats

Summary

In this episode of the Enrichment Lab, host Chris Chandler welcomes Sanne Romijn, a dog enrichment content creator, dog photographer, blogger, and R+ (positive reinforcement) trainer from the Netherlands. They discuss Sanne's journey into dog enrichment, the importance of offering variety in dog meals, and how to creatively engage dogs through food. Sanne also talks about how providing these activities for her dogs enhances her own creativity. The conversation emphasizes that enrichment doesn't have to be complicated and encourages dog owners to find joy in the process of caring for their pets.

Find Sanne Romijn–Dog Mom, Dog Photographer, Blogger, R+ Dog Trainer and Behaviorist

linktr.ee/dogblognl

Website: dog-blog.nl

IG: @dogblognl

All the images in the YouTube episode of the podcast are courtesy of Sanne.

Takeaways

Enrichment can be simple and doesn't have to be elaborate.

Dogs enjoy the process of enrichment regardless of presentation.

Variety in food is key to keeping dogs engaged.

Using seasonal ingredients can enhance dog meals.

Photography can be a fun way to document dog enrichment activities.

Patience and creativity are essential in dog photography.

Dogs have individual preferences for food and treats.

Engaging dogs in natural behaviors is enriching for them.

Enrichment can be a shared joy between dogs and their owners.

It's important to ensure dogs receive balanced nutrition.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Enrichment and Guest Background

09:52 Creating Engaging Meals for Dogs

16:01 Understanding Dog Nutrition and Preferences

26:01 Final Thoughts on Enrichment and Personal Reflections

Additional information:

More information about PMOC as mentioned in the episode: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/proopiomelanocortin-pomc-gene-mutation

Always check with your vet about foods that are safe/unsafe for dogs.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets

Keywords

dog enrichment, pet photography, Labrador care, dog nutrition, creative dog meals, enrichment ideas, dog care tips, pet lifestyle, dog training, dog owner advice, Sodapup, lick mats

Summary

In this episode of the Enrichment Lab, host Chris Chandler welcomes Sanne Romijn, a dog enrichment content creator, dog photographer, blogger, and R+ (positive reinforcement) trainer from the Netherlands. They discuss Sanne's journey into dog enrichment, the importance of offering variety in dog meals, and how to creatively engage dogs through food. Sanne also talks about how providing these activities for her dogs enhances her own creativity. The conversation emphasizes that enrichment doesn't have to be complicated and encourages dog owners to find joy in the process of caring for their pets.

Find Sanne Romijn–Dog Mom, Dog Photographer, Blogger, R+ Dog Trainer and Behaviorist

linktr.ee/dogblognl

Website: dog-blog.nl

IG: @dogblognl

All the images in the YouTube episode of the podcast are courtesy of Sanne.

Takeaways

Enrichment can be simple and doesn't have to be elaborate.

Dogs enjoy the process of enrichment regardless of presentation.

Variety in food is key to keeping dogs engaged.

Using seasonal ingredients can enhance dog meals.

Photography can be a fun way to document dog enrichment activities.

Patience and creativity are essential in dog photography.

Dogs have individual preferences for food and treats.

Engaging dogs in natural behaviors is enriching for them.

Enrichment can be a shared joy between dogs and their owners.

It's important to ensure dogs receive balanced nutrition.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Enrichment and Guest Background

09:52 Creating Engaging Meals for Dogs

16:01 Understanding Dog Nutrition and Preferences

26:01 Final Thoughts on Enrichment and Personal Reflections

Additional information:

More information about PMOC as mentioned in the episode: https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/proopiomelanocortin-pomc-gene-mutation

Always check with your vet about foods that are safe/unsafe for dogs.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/people-foods-avoid-feeding-your-pets

Summary

In this episode of the Soda Pup Enrichment Lab podcast, host Chris Chandler speaks with Meghan Wolfgram, founder and CEO of SwiftPaws, about the importance of pet enrichment. They discuss various methods of enrichment, including food-based techniques and the concept of layering activities to enhance a pet's daily experience. Megan shares her journey into the world of pet enrichment, her experiences with her own dogs, and the significance of understanding the predatory cycle in engaging pets effectively. The conversation emphasizes the need for mental and physical stimulation in pets' lives and offers practical tips for pet owners. In this conversation, Chris and Meghan delve into the importance of enrichment for pets, discussing various tools and methods to enhance a dog's life. Meghan shares her journey in creating SwiftPaws and the development of lure coursing as a sport accessible to all breeds. The discussion emphasizes the joy of discovering new activities with pets and the significance of understanding individual dog needs, especially for anxious dogs. The conversation wraps up with personal reflections on dog breeds and the happiness that comes from enriching a pet's life.

Takeaways

Enrichment is essential for a pet's mental and physical well-being.

Food-based enrichment can take many forms and should be tailored to individual pets.

Layering activities can help pets engage in a more fulfilling way.

Anticipation and novelty can enhance a pet's experience.

Understanding the predatory cycle can inform enrichment strategies.

Routine feeding can be enhanced with training and enrichment activities.

Chewing is a natural behavior that can help dogs relax.

Different pets have different preferences for enrichment activities.

Engaging pets in play can lead to a more satisfying life.

Pet owners should explore various enrichment tools and techniques. Enrichment is essential for a pet's happiness.

DIY activities can be just as effective as products.

Understanding your dog's preferences is key.

Lure coursing can be adapted for all breeds.

Start small when introducing new activities.

Different dogs require different approaches to enrichment.

Food-based enrichment can be simple and homemade.

Engaging dogs in play can convert prey drive to play drive.

Observation of your pet's behavior is crucial.

Creating joyful experiences strengthens the bond with your pet.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Soda Pup Enrichment Lab Podcast

01:01 Introducing Megan Wolfgram and SwiftPaws

04:42 Understanding Pet Enrichment

06:51 Meghan's Journey into Enrichment

08:50 Food-Based Enrichment Techniques

15:21 The Concept of Layering in Enrichment

19:19 Engaging Pets in the Predatory Cycle

22:23 Understanding Enrichment Tools for Pets

28:13 The Journey of SwiftPaws and Lure Coursing

35:03 Creating Joyful Experiences for Dogs

38:10 Personal Reflections on Dog Breeds

Study--pets and animals prefer earned rewards:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24096703/

Predatory cycle:

Here’s a good one that discusses predatory behavior and feeding cats:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7415653/

And here's a very recent one about predatory sequence in dogs that also references a bunch of earlier research: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168159124002508

Sodapup products in SwiftPaws store including products mentioned on podcast: https://swiftpaws.com/collections/chew

Contact Meghan Wolfgram, SwiftPaws

Facebook (Business Page): @SwiftPaws

Facebook (Meghan's Entrepreneur Page): @MeghanWolfgramCEO

LinkedIn: SwiftPaws

Instagram: @swiftpaws_official

Pinterest: @swiftpaws_official

TikTok: @swiftpaws

Twitter: @_swiftpaws

Youtube: @swiftpaws

Keywords

pet enrichment, SwiftPaws, dog training, food-based enrichment, mental stimulation, layering activities, predatory cycle, dog sports, pet wellness, enrichment products, pet enrichment, dog training, SwiftPaws, lure coursing, DIY pet activities, dog treats, pet care, dog behavior, pet products, canine enrichment, Sodapup