Is Your Dog Bored? - By Felicia
A lot of us have school that keeps us away from our pets many hours a day. This leads to boredom in dogs. How do we prevent it? Well, this article will introduce you to a bunch of fun ideas you can try out to keep your dog happy.
Why do dogs get bored?
Dogs are intelligent animals, and some breeds more than others. Border collies, German shepherds, golden retrievers, and poodles are among the most intelligent breeds, and these guys and gals need stimulation. In fact, most of these dogs were bred to complete a job. Nowadays, dogs are more likely to be companions than workhorses—and that’s messing with their mojo. Bored dogs might just be dogs that want a job!
Here are some things that will give bored dogs a “job”:
Exposure to interesting places and things
New, exciting experiences
Frequent opportunities to learn things and solve problems
Investigating and interacting with objects and the environment around them
If your dog is sitting around the house all day without any of the above, he or she’s likely to get bored.
Is my dog bored?
If you’re seeing a big mess every time you come home, chances are your dog needs more stimulation. After all, bored dogs are looking for something to do—even if it’s not what you’d like them to do. Signs you’ve got a bored puppy include:
Antsy or restless behaviour
Destructive behaviours, like chewing shoes or carpets
Pawing for attention
Jumping
Barking
Digging in the trash
Digging up the backyard
How do I make my dog less bored?
Here’s a few things that might help:
1. Exercise
Making time before school can be hard, but can you imagine waking up full of energy and then having to sit around with no TV, no cell phone, and no way to exercise. Most dogs need at least a 45-minute walk or run in the morning. If a long walk doesn’t get the sillies out, get a frisbee and YEET IT out of the room!!!!!
2. Make mealtime fun
Turning mealtime into a game will help keep your dog entertained. For example, you could try a slow feeder dish or food-stuffed toys. If you’ve got a real food hound, spread kibble around the house and wait for him/her to eat every last crumb!
3. New toys
The same toys get boring after a while. You can mix up your dog’s toy stash to keep him interested—don’t leave toys scattered about, but hide and rotate toys over time so when they come back into the rotation, they’re brand new again. You can also hide toys around the house or yard.