Harvest Calm: Using Enrichment to Ease Reactivity This Fall

Stephanie Barger
Sep 2
5 min read

head of a brown and white dog sniffing red and pink flowers in a vase.

Autumn is a season of abundance. The air cools, leaves crunch underfoot, and neighborhoods come alive with new activity—kids back outside after school, festivals filling weekends, joggers and dog walkers enjoying crisp mornings. For many of us, fall feels invigorating. For reactive dogs, however, this sudden surge of sights, sounds, and smells can be overwhelming.

Barking at strangers, lunging at passing dogs, or growling at noises can make simple walks stressful. Guardians may feel frustrated, embarrassed, or helpless when reactivity surfaces. But there’s good news: one of the most powerful tools for behavior change doesn’t involve confrontation or punishment. It’s enrichment.

Enrichment isn’t just about “keeping your dog busy.” When applied thoughtfully, it becomes a cornerstone of behavior modification. It reduces stress, builds confidence, and helps dogs learn healthier responses to triggers. And fall—with its variety of textures, scents, and activities—is the perfect season to harness enrichment for calm.

What is Reactivity?

Reactivity is a broad term describing a dog’s intense responses to certain triggers. This might look like:

Barking or lunging at other dogs on walks
Growling at strangers approaching the home
Whining or pacing at unusual sounds
Pulling toward moving objects like bikes or skateboards

Reactivity is often rooted in fear, frustration, or over-arousal—not aggression. Dogs aren’t trying to be “dominant” or “bad.” They are communicating discomfort or stress in the only way they know how.

Fall can increase reactivity because:

Neighborhoods become busier with school schedules resuming.
Outdoor sports, festivals, and gatherings add new sounds.
Seasonal noises like marching bands or football cheers may trigger sensitivity.

Understanding this context helps us shift from frustration to empathy. Instead of asking, “Why is my dog acting out?” we can ask, “What is my dog trying to tell me?”

The Role of Enrichment in Behavior Change

Enrichment provides dogs with opportunities to use their natural instincts—sniffing, chewing, problem-solving—in safe, structured ways. For reactive dogs, this has profound benefits:

Reduces stress and arousal by providing mental outlets.
Encourages calmness by engaging the parasympathetic nervous system.
Builds confidence through problem-solving successes.
Redirects energy away from fixation on triggers.

Scientific studies show that enrichment promotes dopamine release, helping dogs regulate emotions and experience “feel-good” states. In essence, enrichment is mindfulness practice for dogs: grounding them in the present, giving them safe outlets, and teaching that calm behavior feels rewarding.

Types of Enrichment for Reactive Dogs

Enrichment can be customized for the season. Here are fall-friendly options:

1. Food-Based Enrichment

Pumpkin-stuffed Kongs: seasonal, safe, and soothing when frozen.
Snuffle mats with autumn scents: mix kibble with dried leaves for a “forage and find” activity.
Homemade puzzle feeders: cardboard boxes layered with treats and paper.

2. Scent Work

Scatter treats in a yard full of leaves and let your dog hunt.
Hide favorite toys indoors to encourage nose work on rainy days.
Use cinnamon or apple-scented cotton balls for novelty (safe, small exposures).

3. Problem-Solving Games

DIY cardboard mazes: let your dog paw, shred, and explore.
Cup games: hide a treat under one of three cups and let your dog choose.
Puzzle toys designed for dogs who enjoy challenges.

4. Physical Outlets

Backyard “scavenger walks” where your dog follows a treat trail.
Short hikes on quiet trails to enjoy the season without overwhelm.
Controlled tug or fetch sessions in secure areas.

5. Calm-Centered Enrichment

Lick mats with yogurt or pumpkin purée for soothing focus.
Gentle massage or brushing as tactile enrichment.
Creating a “relaxation station” with calming scents (lavender safe for dogs in small amounts).

Enrichment as a Management Tool for Reactivity

Reactivity often escalates when dogs have too much pent-up energy or anxiety. Enrichment helps balance their emotional state.

Before a walk: Use 10 minutes of food puzzles or scent games to lower arousal.
After a trigger: Offer a lick mat to help them settle.
As redirection: Use cues like “Find it!” to scatter treats when a trigger appears.

This reframes enrichment from a “bonus activity” to a behavior modification strategy.

Training Games that Blend Enrichment + Behavior Modification

Behavior change isn’t just about preventing reactivity—it’s about teaching alternatives. Enrichment can be woven into this process:

“Find It” on walks: When a trigger appears at a safe distance, cue “Find it!” and scatter treats. Over time, your dog will redirect from the trigger to the game.
Pattern games: Use structured treat delivery (like 1-2-3 game) to create predictability.
Mat work: Teach your dog to relax on a mat with a chew, then generalize to noisier environments.

These games help dogs learn what to do instead of barking or lunging.

Seasonal Considerations for Fall

Enrichment should always be safe and seasonally appropriate:

Avoid toxic foods: grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate, and most Halloween candy.
Be mindful of yard hazards: acorns, mushrooms, and pesticides.
Prepare for holidays: decorations, costumes, and extra visitors can be stressors—balance them with calm enrichment.

Case Story: Max’s Fall Breakthrough

Max, a Border Collie mix, barked and lunged at every dog he saw on walks. His guardian dreaded fall because the busier sidewalks made outings chaotic.

Instead of avoiding walks completely, his guardian added enrichment: puzzle feeders in the morning, scent games before walks, and scatter feeds during triggers. Within weeks, Max began to focus more on his guardian than other dogs. By late October, he could walk calmly past yards full of kids without lunging.

Enrichment didn’t erase his reactivity overnight—but it gave Max healthier outlets and lowered his baseline stress. His guardian described it as “harvesting calm in a season of chaos.”

Guardian Mindset: Imperfection and Practice

Reactivity can be discouraging, but enrichment reminds us that progress isn’t linear. Some days will feel like setbacks; others will bring breakthroughs. The key is consistency, compassion, and celebrating small wins.

Just as autumn teaches us that change is gradual—leaves shifting color day by day—so too does behavior modification require patience.

Conclusion

This fall, while you enjoy pumpkin patches and crisp morning walks, give your dog their own harvest of calm. Enrichment is more than entertainment—it’s a science-backed, compassionate way to support reactive dogs, reduce stress, and create harmony in the home.

A calmer mind leads to calmer behavior. And with each sniff, chew, and puzzle solved, your dog learns that the world isn’t quite so overwhelming after all.

About Stephanie Barger, Canine Zen

Stephanie Barger is a dog trainer specializing in separation anxiety and behavior modification. She spent the early years of her career teaching humans before transitioning to dog training over a decade ago. Her passion is helping you and your dog live more harmoniously together.

The name of her business, Canine Zen, embodies her approach to life with our dogs. She recognizes that dogs are living, breathing, sentient, social beings that need human support, compassion, and understanding to coexist with us in our complex human world. She shows people how to effectively communicate with their dogs and understand what their dogs are trying to say to them. She strives to create a safe environment where dogs and humans can learn and thrive together, free from fear, pain, and judgment.

If your life with your dog is not what you anticipated and "nothing has worked" to change things, Stephanie can help you understand and work with your dog to achieve your goals and a better life together. She is an exceptional teacher who works compassionately with both humans and dogs, providing practical solutions tailored to your dog's training needs. Her goal is to calm the chaos in your home.

Feel free to contact Stephanie if you want to transform your relationship with your dog and create a more harmonious home. You can also ask questions in the comment box below.

Free Discovery Call with Stephanie: https://train.caninezen.com/book-discovery-call-page

Stephanie and Canine Zen's links/handles:

Facebook (personal): https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBarger67

Facebook (business): https://www.facebook.com/caninezenusa/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caninezen/

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-barger-caninezen

Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/rio-rancho-nm/canine-zen-remote-dog-training Subscribe to Newsletter: https://train.caninezen.com/newsletter-sign-up-8755