Does your pup bark when feeling overwhelmed or just plain bored? A safe space and engaging mealtimes can work wonders! A cozy retreat helps with stress, while interactive feeding keeps their brain busy — less barking, more tail wags! 🎉

What to Expect

🏡 Safe Space for Relaxation

• Practice: Daily — just keep it open and accessible.

• Best Times: When your dog needs a break (before you leave, during storms, or after play).

• Gentle Guidance: Encourage them to use it, but never force or turn it into a punishment zone.

🍽️ Enrichment-Based Mealtimes

• Practice: Every meal — fun feeding means a busy brain!

• Best Times: Breakfast, dinner, or split into smaller meals for more engagement.

• Mental Workout: Keeps your pup focused on food instead of barking for attention.

Step-by-Step Guide

1️⃣ Pick a Quiet Spot

• Find a low-traffic area — maybe a cozy crate, a quiet corner, or under a table.

• This will be their calm retreat away from the household hustle.

2️⃣ Add Comfort

• A soft bed, cozy blanket, and favorite toys make it extra inviting.

• A piece of your worn clothing can help—it smells like safety!

🐾 Paw Tip: Avoid placing the space near loud appliances (like a washing machine) that could make it less relaxing.

3️⃣ Set the Mood

• Soft calming music, white noise, or nature sounds help drown out stress triggers.

• Experiment with different sounds to see what relaxes your pup the most.

4️⃣ Introduce with Treats & Chews

• Place treats, long-lasting chews, or even their meal in the space.

• Let them explore and settle in at their own pace — no pressure!

5️⃣ Use It for Overwhelm

• If your pup seems anxious, gently guide them to their safe space.

• Never use it as punishment — it should feel like a cozy getaway, not a time-out!

Paw Tip: Dogs will naturally start going to their safe space when they need a break — just give it time!

6️⃣ Make Mealtime Enriching

Mealtime can be so much more than just "food in a bowl." Using interactive feeding methods keeps your pup engaged and reduces boredom-related barking!

• Ditch the Regular Bowl – Swap it for a snuffle mat, puzzle feeder, or treat-dispensing toy to make them "work" for food.

• Scatter Feeding – Toss kibble in the grass or on a snuffle mat to encourage natural foraging behavior.

• Introduce Food Puzzles – Use a Kong, slow-feeder bowl, or Lickimat to stretch out mealtime and keep their brain engaged.

• Rotate Challenges – Change things up daily—one day a stuffed Kong, the next a puzzle bowl to keep things exciting!