Environmental Enrichment

Environmental Enrichment

What is environmental enrichment? Why is it important for wolfdogs?
"Environmental enrichment" is a zoological term used to describe elements of
a containment for animals that stimulates their intellect, and
problem-solving tools. In particular with the more highly evolved animals,
a stimulating environment makes for a happier, better adjusted individual.
It has been theorized that being introduced to appropriate stimuli at an
early age assists in the development of the pathway neurons, or dendrites,
in a being's brain. It has been proven that captive and domestic animals
live a fuller, happier life when enriching measures are introduced as an
integral part of their lives.

As a brief introduction to this concept, here are some links to websites that address it.
At Ark Animal Tracks, an on-line magazine, Diana Guerrero has a fairly comprehensive article defining "environmental enrichment".
It can be viewed at the Ark Animals site Enrichment 101
The Ark Animals Site is full of specific enrichment ideas as well. It is very worth the read.

Several canid conservation facilities, such as Wolf Park, Wolf Timbers, and Animal Ark use
environmental enrichment programs for their wolves.
Wolf Park has a plethora of links at www.wolfpark.org/Links_enrichment.
This website features a step-by-step class in enrichment by
Disney's Animal Kingdom's Enrichment Program.
THIS site, Environmental Enrichment Scrapbook is a wealth of species-specific ideas

Why is this so important for wolfdogs? As
we all know, wolves and wolfdogs are highly intelligent animals with a keen
sense of exploration. One of the first and biggest lessons I learned is
that a bored wolfdog is a naughty wolfdog. Also, in severe cases of boredom
and under-stimulation, there is a possibility of stereotypes, or patterns of
behavior that can be destructive.

Donna Brander, an Animal Behaviorist on the Editorial Team of Pet Planet states in her article
"Obsessive-compulsive disorders and Sterotypies"

"Obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD's) are no more clearly understood in animals than they are in human beings. OCD’s are believed to be associated with neuroanatomical changes which do not allow the animal to respond normally to certain stimuli. Some breeds of dogs such as Labrador retrievers, Doberman pinschers, Weimaraners, Shar-Pei, and Dalmatians seem to have obsessive licking problems (Acral lick granuloma/dermatitis) more than others. Stereotypies are considered to be socially based; i.e. they are based on the animal feeling frustrated by the inability to do something they want to do. Stereotypies are seen in all types of animals such as pacing of zoo animals in cages and horses that weave in their stables. The zoo animal wants to be out hunting but can only pace up and down in their cage. Horses want to run and graze but are frustrated by the confines of their caged environment. But some types of stereotypical behaviour appear to be far more compulsive than others and are now being considered as possibly pathologically based behaviour.

More Bull terriers and German Shepherd dogs are seen with tail-chasing problems than any other breed. Although tail-chasing can have a developmental element to it; i.e. it gets the dog attention which it finds rewarding, and pain related tail chasing due to problems such as anal glands, hip dysplasia or pain in the neck or spine must be ruled out, the problem can be complicated. Some of these tail-chasers seem unable to stop the behaviour to the point of mutilation of the tail. Pharmacological help is now available which can facilitate the behaviour therapy, although most of these dogs will need to remain on a maintenance dosage of the drug for life. "

As you can see, a sterile environment can have long-term negative affects. The size of the containment is another issue. Wolfdogs in particular are susceptible to boredom in small containments. Did you know that a wolf requires 100 ft of room to reach a full run? In light of that, the USDA minimum requirements seem hardly humane.
National Wolfdog Alliance suggests these STANDARDS be adopted for containment of wolfdogs.

Proper, adequate, and permanent containment should be provided. "Proper and adequate" is defined as containment that cannot be escaped from, is safe from hazards which could cause harm to the animal, is of a minimum of 25' X 25' in size, and is adherent to all applicable land use, zoning & animal control laws. If the minimum size of containment is utilized, NWA highly suggests that an exercise yard be available for weekly runs, as wolfdogs require exercise for good health. Perimeter fencing of a minimum 6' in height is considered a necessity for rescue facilities, and should be implemented for the safety of the wolfdogs, and the public.

As an addendum to the containment issues above, NWA suggests that a maximum of two (2) animals be housed in the minimum 25' X 25' containment described above, so as to alleviate the stress associated with over-crowding.

Now there are some very simple things you can do to add stimulation to your wolfdog's environment.
Sue Cranston, of Indigo Mountain Nature Center offers some ideas she uses for hers:

"We do an assortment of things for ours.
We rotate animals from enclosure to enclosure each week to give them new things to do and see and different
animals on either side of them to interact with. The cages are 5-16' feet apart so there is no fence fighting.

Hiding fruit, chopped vegetables or meat throughout the enclosure will stimulate problem solving.
We have drilled holes in logs throughout the to hide food. We also hide fish in a pool,
meat under rocks and have smeared canned dog food on low hanging tree limbs.

To many animals a piece of bark, a log, a bone, a feather, bowling ball, tire, Kong or balls are considered toys.
We rotate these toys in and out of the enclosures each day to avoid boredom with any one particular toy.

We sprinkle a variety of scents throughout the habitats.
Some of our animal's favorites are perfume, hunting scents
(stay away from skunk!), soy sauce, mustard, ketchup, and cooking spices. We DO NOT use onion spices, as the onion can be toxic to many animals. We don't use garlic either as it is sprinkled on the food during the summer months to reduce the number of flies.

Different textures in bark, paper bags or burlap bags provide enrichment.
Food textures can also be varied as can the temperature of the food.
We generally thaw our meat and chicken for the animals, but occasionally feed it frozen.
We fill pinecones with meat for wolves. We have also frozen feeder mice in small milk cartons.
We also hang old truck tires on tree limbs full of treats or scents.

Telephone books are also a favorite, but boy is it messy.

Digging boxes are great for wolves.
We use shavings, hair from different sources, straw or sand in a portable digging box
& hide toys or food in them.

I also love to torture our guys <g> by hanging elk hides up in the lower limbs of the pine trees.
They have to figure out how to get it down. Carcass feeding leads to increased metabolic and digestive health, oral health from the use of the teeth, gums and tongues to de-fur and sheer meat from the carcass. It also increases muscle tone from the physical demands of dragging or carrying the carcass. The social interaction during group feedings and the thought process of saving leftovers is also mentally stimulating. We have found carcass feeding to reduce conflicts in wolf packs. It provides them the regular opportunity to exercise and reinforce social hierarchy in the pack.

Be aware that there are drawbacks to feeding a carcass.
There is an increased health risk from the possibility of contaminated meat.
There is a lack of control in regulating the amount of food consumed by any one animal. This can cause excessive weight gain or loss. There may be injuries due to fights over the carcass and increased stress through competition for food and the animal’s social position.
Our animals are on a prescribed, nutritionally balanced diet and deer or elk carcasses are only used in our enrichment program occasionally."

Amount	Description	Approx. Cost
8	8’ long 4” X 4” posts	@ $7.50 per = $60
2	8’ long 2” X 4” posts	@ $2.20 per = $4.40
2	4’ X 8’ ¾” plywood	@ $9.00 per = $18.00

4	60 pound bags of concrete	@ $1.50 per = $3.00
1	box of 2 ½ ” screws	@ $3.50 per pound
4	Simpson Ties (U-brackets)	@ $2.00 per = $8.00
2	4 ½ ” long, 3/8” diameter threaded hooks	@ $1.00 per = $2.00

Set 4 of the 4"X 4" posts 18" deep
Use 1 bag concrete per post, allow to set 24 hours.
(if woofers are in the area, cover with plywood & pray.)
attach the Simpson Ties ("U" brackets) to all 4 set posts, frame in the last four 4" X 4" poles, secure with screws. Screw plywood sheets into place to roof.

Post #1 ~ Drill one 1" diameter hole through post approx. 2' from ground.
Drill one 1" diameter hole (one quarter turn from first hole) through post Approx. 3'
from ground. Hide little food treats in holes.

Post #2 ~ Pre-drill a hole and screw in a 4" long 3/8" diameter threaded heavy-duty hook
hang bags (don't use plastic bags) filled with food stuffs. Try veggies, bones,
Bisquits, etc. Just don't expect to re-use the bag often.

Post #3 ~ Drill one 1" hole through post approx. 2' from ground.
Drill one 1" hole (one quarter turn from first hole) through post Approx. 3'
from ground. Hide single cotton balls soaked in Hunter scents, cheap
perfume, herbs, anything that is strongly scented, in holes.

Post #4 ~ Pre-drill a hole and screw in the other hook from the end of the brace.
Hang a non-steel-belted radial tire from a rope from the hook.
Hide stuff inside. Spray tire with cheap perfume. Be creative!

I guarantee this little structure will get a lot of use.
They will use it from top to beneath, and side to side.
They'll play King of the Mountain, they'll use the shade beneath,
and the scent holes are used as environmentally enriching caches, such as Sue Cranston described.

A word of caution, tho. I would be careful not to mix the food hide-a-ways with the scent hide-a-ways,
as I'm leery of cross-contamination. I also am not using treated wood, but regular Douglas pine, as my kidz chew wood like beavers, and I don't want them ingesting poisons.

I hope you have found some interesting thought fodder here,
You can do alot of enriching with just a bit of imagination.
Here's to a full & happy life for you & your Companions.