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Puppy Times

'Puppy Times' is the free publication we produce for all our registered Puppy Walkers. While it's usually only sent out to this key part of our force of volunteers, we thought we'd do a sneak preview of what's involved! Below is an article by David Grice, Guide Dogs' Operations Project Manager, discussing our fantastic new 'environmental enrichment' programme.

Environmental enrichment

For some time Guide Dogs has been looking closely at the routines and accommodation provided for the dogs in our care. In light of some of the findings, we've begun a project entitled "environmental enrichment" which aims to improve the life of the dogs by reducing stress levels. If a dog is relaxed and mentally stimulated in the kennel environment, it is likely to be more relaxed and less reactive when training.

The potential benefits of environmental enrichment include:

ensuring enhanced dog welfare
providing opportunities for staff to interact with and handle dogs in situations other than "work"
ensuring the psychological needs of our dogs are met
maintaining the morale of staff and dogs due to the pleasurable nature of the activities supporting our dogs' ability to adapt to kennel environments and subsequent environmental change.

An image of guide dogs in training in their new kennel facilities.

We’re now starting to make a number of changes to the environments our dogs live in. This photo illustrates the design of new kennel facilities, used as a template within the new dog training school in Forfar. This design allows dogs not only to see and interact with their ‘neighbours’, but also to be stimulated by the events in the kennel building. The kennels all face one another and are positioned towards members of staff in a central working station.

A black lab guide dog puppy in training.

Externally we currently have grass paddocks for dogs to exercise in, but there’s little motivation or stimulation. However the ‘enriched’ environments provide dogs with opportunities for self discovery, mental stimulation, play, interaction and exercise. Thanks to the new kennel designs, we will be able to play classical music to the dogs for periods during the day. Research has shown that classical music has a relaxing and calming effect on animals – and we will even be able to decide which pieces we play to each dog!

We will also have a menu of activities designed to provide mental and physical stimulation, as well as relaxation and social interaction. Each dog will have specific exercises – carried out by both dog care and training staff – tailored to meet their needs on a regular basis.

If you would like to see the whole of this issue of Puppy Times, you can download it as a PDF or Word document below: