ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
Why enrichment? Dogs need mental stimulation, scent exploration, instinct-fulfillment and focused one-on-one time just as much as physical exercise and social interactions. Our enrichment activities give your dog healthy outlets for their instincts, reduce stress, prevent boredom, and help them go home happy, fulfilled, and tired in the best possible way.
If you want your dog to thrive during their stay, enrichment isn’t an extra. It’s part of meeting their needs.
enrichment activities menu
PACK HIKE
An exciting on-leash adventure to one of San Diego’s scenic trails. Led by an experienced Dog Days hiker, your dog enjoys structured outdoor exploration, steady movement, and the company of compatible hiking buddies. Offered daily.
Dogs must check in by 7:30am. Availability and eligibility depend on weather and individual dog needs.
sniffari
A guided scent exploration in our outdoor scent garden. Your dog follows their nose through rotating, novel scents that tap into natural foraging instincts. Sniffaris provide mental enrichment, reduce stress, and build confidence at your dog’s pace.
Available daily. Great for curious dogs, shy dogs, and scent-driven pups.
busy box
A fun nose-work challenge where your dog sniffs, searches, and snacks their way through a hidden-treat puzzle. This activity burns mental energy, prevents boredom, and gives dogs an outlet for natural problem-solving.
Perfect for puppies, high-energy dogs, and clever sniffers.
vip time
VIP Go Time: One-on-one, structured play that channels energy into tug, fetch, and interactive games. Builds focus, engagement, and healthy outlets for excitement.
VIP Slow Time: A calming session of gentle petting, brushing, or quiet companionship that supports emotional regulation and deepens the dog-caregiver bond.
Choose VIP Go Time or VIP Slow Time based on your dog’s needs.
FOAM PARTY
A 30-minute, bubble-filled romp in dog-safe foam for sensory fun, cooling off, and pure joy. Supervised and unforgettable.
Seasonal only.
Enrichment Is Essential for Your Dog’s Wellbeing
Dogs experience the world primarily through their nose and their ability to explore, problem-solve, and engage with their environment. Modern behavioral science shows that dogs who are given regular and diverse enrichment activities that stimulate their senses, encourage natural behaviors, and provide structured engagement have:
• Lower stress levels
• Improved emotional regulation
• Fewer frustration-driven behaviors
• Increased confidence and focus
• Better sleep quality
• Overall higher welfare scores
Physical exercise alone does not meet a dog’s full needs. Dogs require mental work, scent work, and meaningful interaction to feel satisfied. Without outlets for these instincts, many dogs develop undesirable behaviors like excessive barking, micromanaging other dogs, obsessive compulsions, reduced impulse control, or difficulty settling.
Enrichment helps prevent these issues by giving your dog something far more valuable than just “staying busy.” It gives them agency, purpose, and a way to express who they are. Activities like sniffing, foraging, hiking, and individualized play tap into the natural behaviors that dogs find deeply rewarding.
Our enrichment program is designed with this science in mind. Each activity is carefully created to support your dog’s mind, body, and emotions, so they leave Dog Days not just tired, but fulfilled and balanced.