Have you ever came home to your furniture chewed up or torn pieces of toilet paper everywhere? You may be thinking to yourself “My dog is bored”!
All breeds of dogs are for a specific purpose. Greyhounds are hunting dogs. Terriers are digging and catching vermin dogs. Even Pomeranians were first bred to pull sleds and herd animals before they were bred to be companions.
Suddenly, with modernization, a lot of them get everything they need without work and can spend hours a day when their owner goes to work.
And now they have become bored. And when they become bored, they develop “problem” behaviors. Although it is not a problem, they are just unhappy. So we have put together some of the signs that your dog may be telling you that they have become bored and ideas to stimulate them.
My dog is bored – Signs and Symptoms
When your dog has nothing to do, they will do something to entertain themselves. They will probably not have your best interest at heart here.
Some things that they do are: chew furniture, shred pillows and unroll your toilet paper. This helps time move on. And you are not there to interrupt in their games, so it is all very exciting.
If you get home to a big mess, you can definitely say to yourself “my dog is bored”. Outdoor signs include digging in the backyard or tipping trash cans over.
And don’t think your dog won’t get bored when you are home. They may bug you to play or be restless, such as jump and bark. They want something to do.
A sign your dog may have separation anxiety is intense distress when being left alone. But most of the time it is just simply your dog taking advantage of the time alone and relieving their boredom. But if you have concerns, contact your dog trainer or an animal behaviorist.
1. Physical Exercise
A tired dog will usually stay out of trouble and nap when you are out. Take them out in the morning for some exercise before you go out. Different dogs have different exercise needs, so consult your veterinarian or dog trainer to know how much your dog needs.
Keep things interesting as well. This could be walking different routes every morning. Let them stop and smell the mail, it will make it more interesting for them (maybe not for you).
Be sure to go for training before playing with toys, such as balls. Done incorrectly, the dog may hurt themselves. The dog park is a great place to exercise.
2. Mental Stimulation
We all know how tired we feel when we are at school. The same will work for your dog. It is very important to exercise the brain and it tires them out. So give your dog challenges. Play hide-and-seek or hide treats around the house. Teach them different tricks.
There are plenty of toys that stimulate your dog. Such as trying to get a toy out of a cube or flap toys with treats inside. Keep it interesting by alternating between toys. You may even discover that your dog is a genius.
3. Some Training for when my dog is bored
The objective of the training is not just for good manners. It is an excellent mental stimulation. It starts with obedience. Afterward, there are many behaviors and skills you can teach your dog for the fun of it.
Dog training classes allow you to learn from the best and go further than just the basics. Your dog also gets excited to work with you and socialize with you. It is exciting for them and they will better behave for it. Speaking of socializing…
4. Socialization
Dogs are pack animals. There are many benefits from them coming into contact with new people, places, and animals. While taking them for a walk, let them meet new neighbors. Or have a puppy party and invite other dogs.
Ensure that your and other dogs are up to date with vaccinations and that they are compatible with your dog’s personality. And never take your eyes off your dogs when away from home and there are other dogs around.
5. Dinner Games so my dog is bored no longer
Mealtimes is an opportunity for you to stimulate your dog further. Don’t just give them their food, make them work for it.
A slow feeder restricts your dog from munching down the food in seconds. It provides a challenge and they will enjoy it. This makes them take time to eat their food and not your furniture.
6. Give your dog a job
Dogs love to work, it is how they came about. It helps with their boredom and gives them a purpose. Doing research on your dog’s original purpose will give you ideas on “chores” for them to do.
For example, terriers used to dig for vermin. So give your terrier a sandbox in the backyard to dig for buried toys. Sneak different surprises in it at random times to keep their interests high.
Some dogs used to pull carts and you can easily entertain them by giving them a cart to pull. The Bernese Mountain Dog would love to pull something. And kids will love sitting in the cart at the same time.
7. Help from Others
It is unavoidable sometimes to leave your dog alone for long periods of time. Sometimes it may be beneficial to hire someone to come and stimulate your dog.
This could be a dog walker or a pet sitter to come during the middle part of the day. There are also doggy daycares where your dog will have supervised entertainment all day.
Remember to consult your dog trainer and veterinarian before trying something with your dog. And listen to your dog. They will tell you if they are bored.
If you thought these tips will stop you from saying “My dog is bored”, please share to help others.
How To Handle Your Puppy’s Non-Stop Chewing
Chewing is as natural to a dog as breathing. It is nothing you can stop them from doing. There are ways to help prevent your puppy from destroying your entire house and belongings.
Here are some tips to handle your puppy’s non-stop chewing. It’s helpful to first try and understand chewing behavior.
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