We all know that enrichment is important for dogs. Games, puzzles, scent work — they keep the brain active, give structure to the day, and create that wonderful, satisfied feeling in your dog. This is especially important for senior dogs. It helps keep their minds sharp, prevents boredom, and contributes to their wellbeing.
But there’s something else, something that’s sometimes forgotten when we think about activities for our senior dogs: activities that intrinsically make your dog happy. Activities where your dog isn’t just busy because you’re offering it and because they enjoy doing things together with you, but that make their heart sing. Things they would choose on their own, things they would ask for if they could.
In this blog, I’ll explain why these moments are so important, what the difference is with ‘regular’ enrichment, and how a swimming session with my old dog Kyna changed my perspective on this.
Enrichment: the foundation for an active mind and healthy body
Let’s start with the foundation: enrichment. For senior dogs, this plays a major role, not just for their mental state, but also for their body. Mental challenges help slow cognitive decline. Just like with humans, brains can stay sharp longer when they’re regularly stimulated. Think of food puzzles, snuffle mats, or scent games — activities where your dog has to think, make connections, and find creative solutions.
Enrichment also has physical benefits. Even with seemingly calm activities, your dog is invited to walk, turn, sniff, and reach. This provides light but very useful movement, helps keep muscles supple, and stimulates coordination and balance.
And there’s another important effect: enrichment and play trigger the production of happiness hormones, like endorphins. These substances create feelings of satisfaction and relaxation, reduce stress, and even influence how pain is experienced. A dog that’s content and relaxed will often experience any existing pain as less uncomfortable. This has to do with nerve transmission in the central nervous system: happiness hormones slow down or reduce the transmission of pain signals. Enrichment isn’t a luxury or nice extra, but an essential part of a healthy, happy senior life.
The difference between enrichment and intrinsic pleasure
With most enrichment activities, the starting point is that we, as owners, think of something that’s good for our dog. This can work well, but it also means the activities are driven by our idea of what’s useful, healthy, or fun. There’s nothing wrong with working this way, but it’s not the same as an activity that comes from the dog’s natural nature. Imagine that your favorite hobby is running, and someone decides you can only do puzzles from now on ‘because that’s good for your brain.’ You might participate for a while, but it would never give you the same feeling as your own passion.
Some activities touch a deep, instinctive need. A retriever who finds something and brings it back to their human doesn’t do it just because they ‘have to,’ but because it’s embedded in their genes. For them, retrieving is more than a game: it’s a source of fulfillment and joy.
For other dogs (think terriers, for example), digging is pure joy. It’s a self-rewarding activity where the dog seems to disappear into their own world.
And then there’s swimming. Not every dog loves it, certainly not. But there are dogs for whom swimming is ultimate pleasure, and who know how to find every ditch or puddle.
The beautiful thing is that these intrinsically motivating activities often release an extra dose of happiness. It’s not just about being busy, but about experiencing — and you can feel that difference in your dog’s energy and zest for life.
Kyna’s story — how a swimming session opened my eyes
I’d like to take you back a few years, when my previous dog, Kyna, was almost 13. She had always been an active dog, a cheerful lady who loved walking in the forest, playing, and — perhaps most of all — swimming.
The problem was that I didn’t live very close to good swimming water. To go swimming, I had to drive quite a distance, while I had forests right near home. So the reality was that we went to the forest much more often than we went swimming.
When Kyna got older, her hindquarters started getting weaker. Some things didn’t go as easily anymore, or not at all. Her cheerfulness decreased. She became quieter, but not in the relaxed way of a dog who’s content — more in the way of a dog who has less joy in life. Of course, I used everything I had available: my own treatments, supplements, and pain medication. This helped to some extent, but I saw her old sparkly way of being less and less often.
I began to worry about her quality of life. How many good days were there still compared to the days that were difficult? Sometimes I wondered how much longer we would have together.
And then I thought about swimming. I knew how crazy she had always been about it. Why did we hardly ever do that anymore?
I decided to make it a priority. I found a place where she could easily get into the water, without high edges or steep slopes. I put on swimming clothes to go into the water with her, and for safety she got a life vest — I wanted to make sure she wouldn’t get exhausted and sink.
From the moment she smelled the water, there was a change. Her eyes lit up, her entire body language became more alert. And once she was in the water… pure joy. She moved freely, got around surprisingly well with her life vest on, and I saw her come alive again.
The effect didn’t stop when we went home. In the days that followed, she was happier, more alert, more interested in her surroundings. She had zest for life again.
Where I had been wondering shortly before whether it might be time to say goodbye, I now saw a dog who found life enjoyable again. And that didn’t last just a few days — Kyna was with me for another six months after that first swimming session (many more followed, of course!), with many more good days than before.
That experience changed my view on the importance of “doing what makes your dog happy on their own” forever.
What you can do for your senior dog
Kyna’s story shows that it’s worth searching for that thing that truly makes your dog happy, naturally. That thing that makes their heart sing. It could be something they used to do often, or maybe something you’ve never tried.
Here are a few steps to discover and apply this:
- Observe your dog
What makes them spontaneously happy? Which activities do they choose themselves when they get the chance? - Go back in time
Think about the things they loved as a younger dog. Sometimes those passions are still there, even if you need to adapt them to their current physical abilities. - Adapt where necessary
Does your dog have less stamina? Use aids (like a life vest, harness, or snuffle mat instead of long searches) and limit the duration of the activity. - Keep combining
Alternate cognitive enrichment and other favorite activities. Both have their own value, and together they form a complete wellness package. - Enjoy together
Don’t forget that these moments deepen your bond. Having fun together is perhaps the most beautiful form of enrichment there is.
The power of joy
We often think of nutrition, exercise, and medical care as the pillars of health for our senior dogs. But emotional wellbeing is just as important. A dog who experiences pleasure not only feels happier, but often has more energy, more resilience, and a better quality of life.
Activities that truly make your dog happy aren’t a luxury. They’re essential. They create memories you treasure, days with a golden lining – especially in the senior years.
So, have a think today: which activity makes your dog’s heart sing? And when are you going to do that together again?
💡 Tip: Write a list of your dog’s favorite activities and hang it somewhere visible. This makes it easier to consciously make time for those special moments.
I wish you and your dog many golden moments!
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