An Australian dog trainer is helping to reduce separation anxiety by developing a device that delivers day-long enrichment programs. The Enricher is a box with four electronically controlled payload doors that release treats, toys, or puzzles to keep your pooch engaged during the day. It looks very simple, but it stands alone in the dog-tech market.
Before The Enricher, it was difficult for guardians to keep their dogs engaged all day. The Enricher overcomes this by using its four timed compartments over a long period. This reduces the dog’s boredom and separation anxiety. This means loading up The Enricher with a variety.
- ◆Australian dog expert creates home device to tackle rising cases of canine anxiety
- ◆The Enricher delivers enrichment activities throughout the day even when dogs are home alone
- ◆Solution driven by more than fifteen years of experience in dog wellbeing industry
- ◆Used daily, enrichment activities reduce anxiety and prevent mental decline in senior dogs
An enrichment program needs novelty and variation to have impact – the same activity every day at the same time does not engage over time.
The innovator behind The Enricher is Grant Shannon, an International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultant (IAABC) dog trainer with more than a decade of experience in his field. The founder of Dogs Connect, an organisation that specialises in placing and supporting wellbeing dogs in everything from schools to emergency service environments, Shannon is only too aware of the consequences of inadequate mental stimulation.
“At Dogs Connect, we were drafting ten-page enrichment plans for dogs, and we needed a device that would ensure that the activities continued for the full day, even when a dog’s carer is unable to be present,” said Shannon.
“Dog guardians care deeply about their companions. The lack of enrichment is not because people don’t care; they care deeply. It is because they have not been shown practical ways to integrate enrichment into their dogs’ lives.”
From our brief experience with The Enricher, I see great potential. Our Great Dane, “Zuko,” is our shadow, so leaving him alone isn’t easy. But as you can see from the video above, he’s already engaging with the device, and that makes us happy too.
A long-term review is being shot right now, so make sure you check that out when it goes live.
Pricing and Availability
The Enricher is available now from theenricher.com.au and is priced at A$379 with free nationwide delivery.
