Tips to Avoid Dog Boredom

Is your dog bored? Like people, dogs get bored easily, except they can’t tell us when they’re bored.

When we think of a dog’s life, the simple pleasures sound nice: a long nap, a good bowl of food and a casual stroll around the neighborhood. While it’s true dogs like having a daily routine, they can still get restless and bored. Just like humans, dogs need mental and physical stimulation to lead fulfilling lives and avoid boredom.

Why Dogs Get Bored

Boredom is not trivial to dogs; they avoid monotony and seek stimulation. The lack of engaging activities leaves our dogs looking for something to do, and often it’s not something we want them to be doing. When dogs get bored, they can develop some destructive behaviors.

For thousands of years dogs have been bred to work alongside humans. The problem is most of us don’t have jobs for our dogs to do. They don’t have to work for food, affection or toys. Getting what they need without having to work for it leaves most of our dogs with too much down time.

Is Your Dog Bored?

How can you tell if your dog is bored? Most often, boredom is going to result in negative behaviors, such as:

• Excessive chewing
• Destroying things
• Clawing
• Whining
• Barking
• Pawing for attention
• Digging in the trash
• Acting restless
• Jumping on you

A bored dog may also sleep more than normal as well, as a way to cope with the lack of stimulation. However, if your dog seems lethargic, visit your veterinarian to make sure your dog isn’t sick.

How to Help Relieve Boredom in Your Dog

Luckily, there are some things you can do to help your dog if he or she is showing the signs of boredom.

1. Provide interactive play and fun games

To keep your dog engaged, you’ll need to come up with interactive activities and toys to enjoy together. Whether your dog is young or old, big or small, they need things to do. Here are 10 fun games to play with your dog to prevent boredom.

2. Provide project (interactive) toys

Toys are a necessity for your dog to prevent boredom, provide comfort and defend against problem behaviors. Project toys (also called interactive toys or puzzle toys) help ensure your dog remains happy and active. Here are 10 project toys to help keep your dog busy and 5 tips for choosing the right toys for your dog.

3. Provide socialization

Dogs are social creatures and need regular socialization. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to bring your dog to daycare often. Daycare is a great way for your dog to learn how to interact with other dogs as well as other people. It can also help prepare him or her for boarding; the comfort of a familiar environment will go a long way toward relieving your dog’s stress while you’re away. Other ways for your dog to be social is at dog parks, walking with you at a park or in the neighborhood, going to obedience school or having play dates.

Have a friend with a new puppy that needs socialization? A play date might be just the thing, given your dogs’ temperaments blend well together. Other things to consider are the logistics of the meeting place and how things will unfold once the dogs are together in the same space.

4. Provide lots of exercise

Dogs need plenty of exercise, even if it’s too hot or cold outside for long walks. While the best way for your dog to get enough exercise is to get walks several times a day, there are ways to give your dog exercise even if the weather prohibits being outside for too long.

• Run your dog up and down the stairs
• Set up an obstacle course
• Make your dog work for treats (hide them around the house)
• Play keep away and fetch with your dog
• Get your dog on the treadmill
• Play tug-of-war with your dog
• Set up or find an agility course
• Teach your dog some tricks
• Give your dog tracking or “nose work” projects
• Put on some music and dance with your dog 

5. Stuff toys with food

Stuff your dog’s toys with his or her kibble and peanut butter, cream cheese, mashed pumpkin or sweet potatoes, mashed bananas or plain yogurt. If your dog gets really good at getting the food out of the toy, try stuffing and freezing them to give your dog a better challenge.

Keep looking for ways to keep your dog engaged. Spend a little extra time to make sure your dog gets some meaningful interaction, leading to a happy, healthy dog.

Dogs aren’t natural couch potatoes; relieve their boredom with things to do. Try getting your dog involved in mundane chores, like retrieving laundry, getting his or her leash when it’s time to go for a walk or helping in the garden.

If your dog is left home alone for long periods of time or is showing signs of chronic boredom, consider bringing him or her to daycare regularly. Let your dog come join in the fun and discover the difference regular socialization and play can have in his or her life (and yours)!

What do you do to keep your dog busy and relieve boredom? Please share with the rest of the Canine Campus community by commenting below.