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Best Dog Enrichment Tips of 2025: Rest, Play, and Connection

  • Writer: Sarah at Barkshire Dog Training
    Sarah at Barkshire Dog Training
  • Dec 16, 2025
  • 4 min read

Updated: Dec 17, 2025

Summary:

This year was all about enriching our dogs’ lives in kind, thoughtful, and joyful ways — here’s a look back at the standout conversations, ideas, and connections we shared in 2025.


From the power of Freework to the importance of rest, this year’s live series offered heartfelt insights into how enrichment can be more than just “keeping your dog busy.” It’s about creating space for trust, calm, learning, and deep connection. In this reflection, I revisit the highlights of each session, share what made them so special, and give you a sneak peek at what’s coming up in 2026 — including a visit from my mentor, Simone Mueller!


Why Focus on Enrichment?

When Clare from Insight Hounds and I launched our Enrichment Year, we had one goal in mind: to help dog owners rethink what a fulfilling dog life looks like. We wanted to move beyond just “walks and sit-stays” and into something deeper — a life where dogs get to sniff, rest, explore, and play in ways that support their emotions, instincts, and wellbeing.

Each live was rooted in our 2025 theme:

✨ Patience, Connection, Fun, and Kindness.

And what a year it’s been.


My Favourite Moments from the Series

Don’t Walk Your Dog? | With Niki French

Niki who qualified in 20925 with Animal Centred Education run by Sarah Fisher, creator of Freework and Niki helped us see how Freework (gives dogs the chance to build confidence and choice — without interference. We explored how not walking your dog can sometimes be the kindest thing you do, especially for reactive, sensitive, or overwhelmed dogs. A standout quote? “Connection doesn’t come from control — it comes from trust.”


All smiles with Niki at Edition Dog earlier this year
All smiles with Niki at Edition Dog earlier this year

Crate Confidence & Cosy Corners | With The Pet Carpenter

Gemma brought heart and design wisdom to this gentle session on helping dogs feel calm and safe in their environment. We reframed the crate as a space of rest and comfort, not confinement. Community feedback was wonderful — so many of you told us how small design tweaks made a big emotional difference for your dogs.

 

The Thinking Dog’s Toy | With Roolo (Play9 UK)

This session brought a burst of joyful energy! Lee walked us through the Roolo’s clever design, built to support a dog’s natural instincts and problem-solving skills. It was a playful reminder that mental enrichment is just as important as physical exercise — and often, even more rewarding.

 

Tug, But Make it Training | With Tug-E-Nuff

Danny showed us how play is connection. With demos and tips galore, we explored how tug games can build confidence, focus, and a beautiful working relationship between dog and human. Whether your dog is a powerhouse or a little unsure, this live had something for everyone. (Don't forget the 10% you can benefit from using this link tug-e-nuff.com/barkshiredog)


Danny and team with Clare & I
Danny and team with Clare & I

 

Calm in a Cup | With PAWD Drinks

A lovely chat with Archie, co-founder of PAWD, about supporting calm from the inside out. We explored travel, overstimulation, and emotional wellness through natural supplements. This paired beautifully with…

 

The Sleep Series | With Dr Lauren

Our final guest of 2025, Dr Lauren shared incredible insight into canine sleep, behaviour, and health. We talked about how sleep links to learning, emotions, and behaviour — and how overlooked this essential need can be. You all loved this one — especially the bit about how rest itself is enrichment.


 

What We Noticed and Loved

💛 Every dog is different — but all dogs benefit from being seen and supported as individuals.

💡 Enrichment doesn’t always mean “doing more.” Sometimes, it means slowing down.

🌱 So many of you shared beautiful progress stories — from anxious pups sleeping soundly to zoomy dogs finding focus through play.

 

Coming in 2026: A Year of Connection

I am thrilled to announce that next year’s theme for Clare and I is Connection — because a deeper bond changes everything.

We already have some of the lives planned….

🎉 February: We’ll be joined by the team at LickiMat to explore how simple, sensory enrichment can help calm busy minds and build beautiful training moments.

🎁 March: A birthday month I’ll never forget — my mentor, Simone Mueller, will be joining Clare and me to talk about her world-renowned Predation Substitute Training. If you’ve ever struggled with chasing, prey drive, or that “head-gone” moment in your dog, this is the session to watch. Simone’s work has changed the way I train, and I can’t wait to share her gentle, effective approach with you.

 

💬 Want to be the first to know who else is joining us?

👇Sign up below or follow on our socials  for updates, stories, and more.



 

Final Thought:

If this year has taught me anything, it’s this: Connection is the heart of everything. Whether through sleep, tug, food puzzles or simply being present, we can build a deeper relationship with our dogs, one moment at a time.

Here’s to more sniffs, more smiles, and many more enriching moments in 2026.




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