5 Easy Enrichment Ideas for Small Dogs at Home

Small dogs are often full of curiosity and energy, but many enrichment toys and activities are designed with larger breeds in mind. As a dachshund owner myself, I've spent a lot of time finding enrichment games that work well for smaller noses, paws and attention spans. 

Enrichment toys and scent games are something I use regularly with my own dogs, Archie and Remi, to encourage calm sniffing and natural foraging behaviours.

Enrichment encourages dogs to use their natural instincts to sniff, forage and explore. These simple activities can help reduce boredom, build confidence and provide gentle mental stimulation for curious pets.

Many of these ideas work particularly well as dachshund enrichment activities, as the breed naturally loves sniffing, foraging and exploring with their noses.

Here are five easy enrichment ideas you can try at home with your small dog.

1. Scatter Feeding 

Scatter feeding is one of the simplest enrichment games you can try. 

Instead of serving food in a bowl, scatter a small portion of your dog's kibble across the grass in your garden or across a snuffle mat. Your dog then uses their nose to search for each piece.

This encourages natural sniffing behaviour and turns mealtime into a calming foraging activity.

Snuffle mats can also be useful for dogs who tend to eat their food quickly. My dachshund Archie often uses a snuffle mat for part of his meals, which helps slow his eating while encouraging him to use his nose during mealtime.

Scatter feeding can also be helpful for dogs who feel anxious or reactive in certain environments. I sometimes use scatter feeding while walking my other dachshund Remi, allowing him to focus on sniffing and searching for food rather than the things that might otherwise worry him. 

2. Snuffle Ball Treasure Hunt

Snuffle balls are perfect for small dogs because they are lightweight and easy for smaller mouths to interact with.

Hide a few treats or pieces of kibble inside the fleece folds and let your dog work out how to retrieve them. You can also hide the snuffle ball around the house to create a simple treasure hunt game.

For very small dogs or toy breeds, smaller enrichment toys can make the game easier and more enjoyable. At Nova Zeal, I also make a Pocket Snuffle Ball designed specifically for toy breeds and smaller pets, making it easier for little noses to forage and explore.

3. Cardboard Box Sniffing Game

You do not need special equipment to create enrichment. 

Take a small cardboard box and place a few treats inside along with some scrunched paper. Your dog will enjoy sniffing through the box to find the hidden rewards.

This simple activity encourages curiosity and problem solving.

4. Tug and Reward Play

Gentle tug games can provide both physical and mental engagement.

Use a soft tug toy and allow your dog to pull and interact with you for short bursts of play. You can also reward them with a treat when they release the toy on cue.

This helps build focus, engagement and connection between you and your dog.

5. Simple Scent Trails

Dogs experience the world through scent, and simple scent trails can provide wonderful mental stimulation.

Place a few treats along a short trail across the floor or garden and allow your dog to follow the scent path. Start with short trails and gradually increase the difficulty as your dog gains confidence.

These simple enrichment games can make everyday moments more engaging for small dogs while encouraging natural sniffing and exploration.

Enrichment for curious pets

Enrichment toys can help turn everyday moments into opportunities for sniffing, exploring and discovery.

At Nova Zeal, each toy is thoughtfully handmade to encourage natural foraging behaviours while remaining soft, colourful and suitable for curious pets.

From snuffle mats and snuffle balls to interactive tug toys, enrichment toys can provide gentle mental stimulation while supporting your dog's natural instincts to sniff and explore.