Make sure you take your dog for a walk before you go out. Give him a bone when you go out. Get him a companion so he won't be alone. Leave the radio on. These are the standard answers that have been given for years. They are the standard answers that are only part of resolving the problem.

The term "environmental enrichment" has crept into the vocabulary of the dog training world and it is one that can benefit not only our dogs but ourselves if we give it enough attention. To enrich your dog's environment is not always easy. It means that you have to go out of your way to do something special for your best buddy. It means that you have to apply your thinking cap and say if I was a dog, what would I really like to do all day while Mum and Dad are out?

Sound a bit far fetched? Well, maybe it is, but IT WORKS. Why not try a few of the things listed below to help enrich your dog's life whilst you are out? Use this as a basis for expanding your own imagination and if you come up with some ideas that really work, let us know so that we can tell others. Remember though that doing the same thing everyday ceases to be enriching for the dog.

Environmental Enrichment Suggestions

• In summer, put your dog's bone into a container with some water or stock and freeze the whole lot so that the dog needs to get through the ice in order to get to the bone. Takes longer to eat the bone and keeps the dog entertained getting to it.
• In summer a child's paddling pool full of water can provide hours of fun for your water loving dog, especially if it has some of his favourite toys in it.
• Stuff an appropriate sized Kong with all sorts of homemade treats (check the web for recipes) that will keep your pooch busy and satisfied.
• Make a digging pit for your dog. Allocate an area in which your dog can dig (like a kid's sand pit). Teach him to dig only in that spot by burying treats in that area only and encouraging him to find them. It won't take long and he will be digging to check out the treat situation. Equally, never leave treats in any other part of the garden or you will be making a rod for your own back.
• Don't leave the dog's toys around all the time. Keep them in a cupboard and regularly interchange the toys that are left for the dog.
• Teach your dog to follow a scent trail around your back yard that culminates in a pile of goodies (remember his breakfast can be the pile of goodies). Yes, that means getting up a bit early, hiding the dog food and laying the track. But remember, you will be gone all day and this will fill in a small part of that day.

What has any of this to do with Obedience - simple, a happy dog in a stimulating environment will be ready and eager to do more, learn more and compete more. The only limit is your imagination. Be guided by your dog, he/she will let you know what is enjoyable. Expand on those things and leave stimulating new experiences for your best mate whilst you are out all day.