How to Prevent Dog Boredom While You’re Away
Dogs get bored, just like people. Here’s how to make sure they get the right amount of activity so they don’t end up being destructive if they’re cooped up or haven’t had a chance to get out some energy.
Key takeaways:
Pet parents need to understand ways to prevent boredom when they leave their dogs at home.
Signs of dog boredom include chewing, digging, and excessive barking.
You can use physical exercise to burn off excess energy before you head out.
Dogs need mental stimulation, so use fun games during playtime.
Keep your dog’s safety in mind when you create or purchase items to keep them entertained.
There are many things dog parents need to know, but your dog’s care goes beyond their health and making sure they’re fed. Your pup has emotional needs that need to be met! Dogs get antsy and bored, just like people, but they often don’t have the outlets to let out that energy in a constructive way.
This article will explain what can happen when dogs cannot let out pent up energy, help you recognize signs your pup is bored, and give you a roadmap to ensure your dog stays happy and healthy when you’re not at home. Bonus, many of the following tips and tricks are fun for both of you!
Signs your pup is experiencing dog boredom
Dogs don’t speak our language, but they will give us clear signs when they are bored. The following are indicators that your pup may have some excess energy to get out:
Excessive barking – Dog parents who crate their pups or keep them in specific rooms when they leave likely know dogs let you know they’re unhappy with a situation by barking about it. If your dog is still barking after they’ve been let out, they’re telling you they want an activity to take away some of their energy.
Chewing or destroying things – Your dog will find things to do while alone all day, and chewing is a natural activity they enjoy. If your pup chews up your favorite shoes or baseboards, they might be acting out or looking for something to do.
Potty accidents – A housebroken dog who makes a mess is likely trying to find an activity or make a point.
Digging – If your dog is alone outside, they may dig to stimulate themselves. Dogs are natural diggers and use the process to cool off, find water, or find the source of a tasty smell. They also may use digging as a way to pass the time.
The other thing to keep in mind is that some dogs suffer from anxiety. This isn’t a case of boredom or acting out, but rather that the pup is upset and anxious about being separated from their family members. You’ll want to seek out a pet behaviorist if you suspect your dog suffers from anxiety.
Tips for burning off extra physical energy
Pups are like people in many ways and need to do physical things to avoid anxiety or boredom. Here are a few tips to help relieve excess energy:
Talk to your vet and make sure your dog is ready to be more active.
Ask about your breed’s needs, as different dog breeds require different amounts of activity.
Dogs get bored doing the same thing over and over, so change up your walking route.
This gives your dog new things to sniff, which is a major part of their exploration of the world.
Changing up your dog’s routine gives them new things to check out. It’s similar to a person’s social media activity: By sniffing, a dog gets “status updates” from other animals in their neighborhood!
Fun activities for mental stimulation
Dogs are task-driven and want mental stimulation to keep their brains active. There are several things you can do to help:
Work on commands – Dogs love to learn. Master the basics like sit and stay, then move to lay down, fetch, and more. Keep the sessions short. Puppies may only be attentive for five minutes, older dogs up to 15 minutes depending on breed. Teaching your dog commands strengthens their bond to you and can help keep them safe.
The “hot and cold” game – Hide a treat in a hard-to-find place. As your dog starts sniffing for it, use your vocal tone to give them hints. Be more excited and upbeat the closer they get to it. Lower your tone and slow your voice the further away they are. This also helps your dog develop listening skills.
Problem-solving skills – Tie a treat to a string and hide the treat under your couch or chair. Let your pooch figure out how to pull the string to get the treat. Put treats in nesting plastic bowls. While you watch (so they don’t eat the bowls), let them figure out how to get the treats.
Store-bought toys to occupy your dog
Give your dog something to do while you’re away. Many commercial dog toys are designed to “slow release” treats and force your dog to work for their snacks, for example. Two of the most common are Kong products and snuffle mats.
Kongs are hard rubber containers with a small opening your dog must work to access. Stuff the toy with treats and let your dog go nuts. Snuffle mats are fabric mats with additional cloth that is folded, cut, or bunched before it’s sewn into place. This creates unique pockets, crevices, and hiding places for treats. Your pup will spend several minutes rooting around trying to get the treats out.
Homemade interactive dog toys
You don’t always have to go to the store for great dog toys. There are many homemade options that your dog will love:
Treat bottles – Drop several treats into an open plastic water bottle. Let your dog knock it about with their paws or muzzle to get the treats out.
Tug toy – Dogs love tug! It gives them great physical and mental activity and strengthens your bond. Get some large rope and an old tennis ball. Cut two holes in the tennis ball, each large enough to pass the rope through. Tie knots in both ends of the rope to keep the ball in place.
Remember safety with any toy. If your dog is a good chewer, they can likely tear apart a plastic bottle in minutes. Always supervise any playtime with plastic toys.
Never forget that your dog has feelings, just like you, and can get bored without fun things to do. Spend time with them each day, help them burn off excess energy, and provide them plenty of opportunities to use their brain.
Keep your dog healthy with basic hygiene and grooming
Monthly visits with a routine care provider like Scenthound can help ensure your dog stays as healthy as possible. Our team will give your pup a bath, ear cleaning, nail trim, and teeth brushing. After every groom, you’ll receive our S.C.E.N.T. Check™ report detailing our overall assessment of your dog’s overall external health, this helps you stay on top of minor problems that can turn into big problems if ignored.
Use our Scenthound locator to find the Scenter nearest you!