How Understanding Canine Senses Shapes Our Daycare & Enrichment

Ever wondered what your dog really sees, smells, and hears?  

At Rags & Bert’s dog daycare and puppy socialisation sessions, we design play, enrichment, and kennel routines based on how dogs naturally experience the world. From scent-based games to motion-focused play and calming kennel environments, discover how understanding canine senses helps puppies and adult dogs learn, play, and thrive. 

At Rags & Bert’s, this understanding isn’t just interesting - it directly informs how we design our daycare routines, enrichment activities, playtime, and kennel environments. By seeing the world from a dog’s point of view, we’re able to create experiences that are both enriching and calming, supporting positive behaviour and overall wellbeing. 

Colour Perception: Designing Spaces Dogs Can Understand 

Dogs see a narrower range of colours than humans, primarily blues and yellows. Reds and greens appear muted, often blending into the background. We use this knowledge throughout our facility to support both play and relaxation. 

In our play areas, we: 

• Use yellow agility cones to ensure obstacles are clearly visible 
• Play fetch with bright yellow tennis balls, making games more engaging and frustration-free
• Introduce red and green toys intentionally, encouraging dogs to rely on scent rather than sight 
• In our kennels, we avoid dominant blue and yellow tones. Instead, we focus on neutral, calming colours to create a peaceful environment where dogs can properly rest and relax. 

Motion Over Detail: Play That Matches Natural Instincts

Dogs are naturally drawn to movement - a trait inherited from their ancestors. Rather than focusing on fine detail, their eyes are designed to detect motion quickly and efficiently. Our Daycare play sessions are built around this instinct and include: 

• Fetch and chase games
• Follow-the-leader activities
• High-visibility dress-up walks that capture attention and encourage engagement
• Agility and obstacle courses that provide both physical exercise and mental challenge 

These activities allow dogs to interact and communicate naturally, supporting healthy play and social learning. 

Smell & Sound: Engaging Dogs' Strongest Senses

A dog’s sense of smell and hearing far outweighs their reliance on sight. At Rags & Bert’s, enrichment is thoughtfully designed to tap into these powerful senses. Our scent- and sound-based enrichment includes: 

• Scent games using dog-safe fragrances such as lavender and cherry
• Scatter feeding and hide-and-seek activities to encourage natural foraging behaviours
• Interactive sounds including squeaky toys, doorbells, and calming nature audio

Creating Calm, Comfortable Kennel Spaces 

Kennel time is just as important as playtime. We ensure our kennel environments support relaxation and emotional wellbeing by incorporating: 

• Classical music, proven to have a calming effect on dogs
• Lavender scent to help soothe and reduce stress 
• Hidden treats and DIY enrichment toys, such as treat-filled cardboard rolls, to provide gentle mental stimulation 

These small but intentional details help dogs feel safe, settled, and content during rest periods. 

Putting Canine Science into Practice

Everything we do at Rags & Bert’s, from daycare play to enrichment and puppy socialisation, is grounded in an understanding of how dogs truly experience the world. This science-led approach allows us to create environments that are not only fun, but meaningful, calming, and tailored to dogs’ natural behaviours. 

By working with dogs’ senses rather than against them, we help every dog in our care feel confident, enriched, and at home. 

Sources:

https://bestpetfacts.com/how-do-dogs-see-the-world/ 
https://www.petplan.co.uk/pet-insurance/pet-care-and-advice/pet-perceptions.html 
https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/how-do-dogs-see-world 
https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/health-care/dog-conditions/how-do-dogs-see-the-world