January 19, 2026
It’s heartbreaking to see your dog pacing, whining, or scratching at the door when you prepare to leave. Separation anxiety is common, but often, it is fueled by boredom and nervous energy. Enrichment toys for dogs provide a “job” for your pet to do, turning “goodbye” time into “snack and play” time.
At Joy with Paws, we recommend these 7 types of toys to help your dog feel calm and confident while home alone.
These are the gold standard for anxiety. Fill a hollow rubber toy with peanut butter, yogurt, or wet food.
Why it works: Chewing releases calming hormones in a dog’s brain.
Pro Tip: Freeze the toy overnight so it takes your dog much longer to finish!
Licking is a natural self-soothing behavior for dogs.
The Benefit: Spreading a soft treat over a textured mat keeps your dog focused on one task. The repetitive licking motion lowers their heart rate and reduces stress.
A snuffle mat is a fabric mat with many felt “grass” strips where you hide dry kibble or treats.
Brain Power: Dogs “see” the world with their noses. Spending 15 minutes sniffing for treats is as tiring for a dog as a long walk!
These toys require your dog to flip lids, slide disks, or pull levers to find a reward.
Distraction: By the time your dog figures out the puzzle, you’ll already be gone, and they will be settled into “work mode” rather than “panic mode.”
If your dog likes to move, a ball that drops treats as it rolls is perfect.
Physical Activity: It encourages them to walk around the room quietly, burning off that nervous “pacing” energy in a productive way.
For high-energy breeds, an automatic launcher can be a lifesaver.
Note: These are best used if you have a safe, open area. It allows the dog to play fetch with themselves until they are tired enough to nap.
Some dogs need a “friend” to snuggle. Special plush toys now come with a rhythmic “heartbeat” device inside.
Comfort: This mimics the feeling of sleeping next to a littermate or their human, which can be very comforting for puppies or newly adopted dogs.
The goal of enrichment toys is to teach your dog that being alone isn’t scary—it’s actually a time for special treats! Start by giving these toys to your dog while you are still home so they associate them with fun, not just your departure.
