The Woof of Walk Street
Why enrichment matters (especially on rainy days)
Exercise isn’t just steps. Dogs need mental work — sniffing, solving, licking, shredding safely — to shift from “wired and frustrated” to “calm and satisfied.” On wet days, short indoor games keep arousal in the green zone and prevent the evening meltdowns that happen when energy stacks up with nowhere to go.
Seven easy games you can set up in five minutes
- Towel Burrito. Roll a tea towel with a few treats layered inside. Let your dog unroll and sniff them out. Great for beginners.
- Muffin-Tin Puzzle. Pop treats in a muffin tray and cap holes with tennis balls. Start with a few open cups; add difficulty over time.
- Box Foraging. A clean cardboard box + paper scrunchies + a handful of kibble = DIY snuffle pit. Perfect “rip & sniff” outlet.
- Snuffle Scatter. No snuffle mat? Use a doormat or a bath mat and scatter kibble through the fibres.
- Lick Mat Reset. Smear with natural yogurt or canned food. Licking is self-soothing and great for post-excitement come-downs.
- Find-It Circuit. Hide 5–10 treats around one room; release with a “find it!” cue. Add distance and new rooms as they learn.
- Decompression Micro-Walk. Rain paused? Take 12–15 minutes outside to sniff the verge in a quiet street, then back to cosy.
How we blend enrichment with solo walks
Our one-dog-only walks were designed for city living: predictable routes, decompression first, movement second. On foul-weather days, we shorten loops, add more sniffing, towel-dry on return and leave a quick enrichment set-up (like a pre-stuffed lick mat) so your dog stays settled after we go.
Make “calm” the default
Routines beat weather. Members get steady weeks with the right mix of sniffing, movement and rest — plus GPS route and photo updates every time.
- Starter (4) — a gentle rhythm for busy months
- Growth (10) — most popular for visible progress
- Unlimited (weekdays) — 50% off first month
Setting up your home “calm corner”
Pick a low-traffic spot away from windows. Add a non-slip mat, a comfy bed and a small basket with a rotation of chews, puzzles and a towel for burritos. Keeping it predictable helps your dog switch gears: when the mat comes out, brains go on and bodies settle.
How often to enrich (and walk) on wet weeks
Two short sessions (5–10 minutes each) beats one long frenzy. We recommend:
- Morning: simple sniff or lick game after breakfast.
- Mid-afternoon: puzzle or towel burrito for a calm reset.
- When the rain breaks: a brief decompression walk outside.
Need help keeping the rhythm? Our memberships make it easy to lock in consistency without you juggling the weather app.
Safety notes (quick but important)
- Swap treats for kibble if your dog gains weight easily.
- Supervise any shredding games; remove tape/staples from boxes.
- Choose lick-mat toppings wisely (avoid xylitol, onion/garlic, excessive fat).
- If your dog guards food or toys, pick cooperative games like snuffle or short “find it” hunts.
Travelling soon?
Our Weekend Woof Club hosts just one guest for calmer stays. Expect a video trial visit beforehand, a daily solo walk, and photo updates so you can relax. It pairs perfectly with a membership — your dog leaves calm and comes home to the same routine.