Let’s Stop Pretending a Food Puzzle Is Real Enrichment

We need to talk about the Kong. And the licky mat. And all those beautifully prepped, frozen food toys people keep calling “dog enrichment.”

Because while those things can absolutely be helpful — they’re not the whole picture.

And when we treat them like they are? We miss the entire point of what enrichment really is — and why your dog needs it.

Let’s Be Clear: Food Toys Have Their Place (Just Not Every Place)

Kongs, licky mats, and puzzle feeders can be calming, satisfying, and genuinely useful — they can:

• Promote licking (which supports nervous system regulation)
• Encourage problem-solving and focus
• Help dogs decompress after stress
• Support downtime or crate rest

And as trainers, we use food-based enrichment all the time to:

• Teach dogs to work for food
• Build food motivation
• Reinforce positive associations
• Layer food into training plans effectively

So yes — these tools absolutely matter. But let’s not confuse a frozen Kong with a full enrichment plan.

Food toys can support training goals — like building food drive — but they’re just one piece of the puzzle.

And if they’re your dog’s only enrichment? You’re skipping the parts that actually help your dog feel fulfilled.

Here’s the catch:

Food-based toys alone don’t significantly reduce stress or build long-term resilience. Research (and real-life experience) shows that dogs benefit far more from movement-based, interactive, and social enrichment — not just treat delivery systems.

Being Busy Isn’t the Same as Being Fulfilled

A dog licking a frozen treat for 15 minutes isn’t necessarily regulated.

They’re just licking.

They’re not learning to check in with you. 

They’re not exploring or recovering from stress.

They’re not stretching their brain — or their body.

And if enrichment always happens alone — in a crate, or away from you — they’re missing the best part: Shared experience.

Enrichment Isn’t Something You Buy. It’s Something You Build.

Real enrichment isn’t always aesthetic. It’s often messy. A bit chaotic. But deeply meaningful.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Letting your dog sniff their way down a trail without asking them to heel

• Observing how they react to something new — and letting them work through it

• Climbing over a log or crawling under a chair while you cheer them on

• Working on a short training session that feels fun and interactive

• Sitting beside them as they quietly observe the world from a safe spot

That’s what builds trust. Confidence. And true communication between you and your dog.

 The Bottom Line?

Lick mats are a tool — not a substitute. Frozen Kongs are a treat — not a philosophy. If you want a dog who’s truly enriched — it has to go deeper.