Dogs have complex cognitive abilities requiring mental stimulation alongside physical exercise. Insufficient cognitive enrichment leads to boredom, frustration and problem behaviours.
The welfare of companion dogs depends on meeting cognitive as well as physical and social needs. A dog that receives two walks per day but spends 20 hours in a barren environment experiences a form of poverty - a restriction of the full range of canine experience. Enrichment need not be expensive: scent trails laid with food, cardboard box foraging, and training games using positive reinforcement are highly effective. Recognising cognitive need as a core welfare requirement, rather than an optional extra, changes how we evaluate what a dog needs to thrive.