Sniffing and problem-solving create a different kind of effort from walking.
Enrichment and outlet menu
| Type | Examples | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sniffing | Scatter feeding on grass, snuffle mat, food hidden in boxes, indoor treat search | About 5–15 minutes | Let the nose set the pace; easy searches should finish successfully. |
| Problem-solving | Treat ball, frozen stuffed toy, folded paper tube, food rolled in a towel | About 5–15 minutes | Begin easy enough to prevent frustration; frozen toys are especially useful during teething. |
| Shaping and tricks | Nose-to-hand touch, spin, weave through legs, toys into a box, switch a light on or off | Up to 10 minutes per session, with breaks | Use shaping and split the skill into tiny, winnable steps. |
| Breed-appropriate adult pulling work | A suitable adult sled breed learns pulling foundations with a qualified instructor and proper equipment. | A short coached block with full rest between efforts. | Adults only and not for every spitz; never add pulling load during puppy growth. |
| Cool-condition endurance walk | Steady walking on a shaded familiar route with frequent sniff and water pauses. | 10–20 minutes, adjusted to age, weather and recovery. | Use genuinely cool conditions; distance is never a quota and puppies do not carry or pull loads. |
| Secured long-line scent exploration | Explore a quiet natural area on a handler-held long line attached to a fitted harness. | 10–20 minutes at the dog’s chosen walking pace. | Use the long line in every unfenced setting required by the breed; removal is not a milestone. |
| Designated digging area | Bury a toy or a few treats shallowly in a shaded sand pit. | 5–10 minutes under direct supervision. | Keep the pit away from fence lines, check sand temperature and redirect garden digging early. |
| Scent-search game | Find a familiar toy among open boxes or follow a short food trail indoors. | 5–8 minutes, ending after a successful find. | Vary the setup before repeating cues; count food within the daily allowance. |
| Chewing | Veterinarian-approved chew, a small amount of frozen carrot | Puppy-led and supervised | Ask your veterinarian which chews suit your puppy; remove damaged pieces. |
One-week enrichment rotation
| Day | Main block | Recovery block |
|---|---|---|
| Mon / Thu | Easy sniffing search, then one group outlet at the dog's current stage. | Quiet chew and protected sleep. |
| Tue / Fri | Food puzzle plus two minutes of shaping or cooperative handling. | Scatter feed or slow sniffing. |
| Wed / Sat | Signature protocol at easy criteria; stop while cues still work. | Mat settling and uninterrupted rest. |
| Sun | Recovery audit: repeat only an easy favourite if the dog is ready. | Plan the next week from recovery, not exhaustion. |
Teething
Prepare cold outlets before four to six months
Chewing demand rises sharply at about 4–6 months. Prepare frozen stuffed toys in advance; increased chewing at this age is a developmental need, not a training regression.
Independent ability
Let the dog solve ten minutes alone
Offer a safe puzzle or chew and let the dog work independently for ten minutes. Without opportunities to practise independent settling, some dogs may find alone time harder.