We've all been there: You're on a call while your dog looks like they're telepathically messaging you, "Take me for a walk." Or they start barking, whining or chewing your shoe.
They're bored.
What can you do? Find some dog boredom busters to entertain your pet. "If you can give them the enrichment they enjoy and it fulfills them, they'll be the most content after the activity," says Jenny Wyffels, CPDT-KA, a certified dog trainer in Geneseo, Illinois.
Keep in mind not every boredom-buster is suitable for each dog. Safety, supervision and knowing what activities drive your furry friend are essential.
What To Do If Your Dog Is Bored
If your dog is bored, our 20 boredom-busting solutions might bring some excitement into your dog’s life and even result in you and your furry best friend growing even closer.
1. Dog Puzzles
Dog puzzles challenge your pooch to use problem-solving skills and their paws and noses to find kibble, dog treats or squeaky toys in hidden compartments.
“It’s an opportunity to engage in something by themselves, gives enrichment, and some of the mental stimulation a dog needs,” says Dr. Blake Gibson, DVM, a veterinarian with Texas Veterinary Behavior Services in Sugar Land, Texas, and resident of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists.
2. Food-Foraging Toys
A cousin of puzzle toys are food-foraging toys where dogs work for their food instead of using a traditional dog bowl to eat from or just being handed a treat. These include snuffle mats, treat-stuffed or or treat-dispensing toys, and lick mats. Dogs don’t have to be a genius for these, they just follow their nose.
"One of the things we say is no more feeding out of a bowl,” Dr. Gibson says. “We recommend to our clients that they engage their dog with a food toy or quick training session instead. This way, the dog has the opportunity to learn with them versus scarf down a meal and return to waiting for the next one."
3. Chews & Chew Toys
Chew toys might keep your pooch occupied during your entire conference call. (Wouldn’t that be nice!) There are digestible chews like Himalayan yak, rawhide, natural and bully sticks, plus, non-digestible hard, nylon and plastic chew toys.
Always supervise your dog with dog chews, especially if they’re an aggressive chewer.
4. Treasure Hunts
5. Dine Out With Your Dog
6. Sniffing Safari (Sniffari)
Go on a sniffing safari. Dogs explore through smell and love scent detection, known as nose work. On walks, let them sniff every tree, bush, and fire hydrant so they have time to check their "pee-mail."
Mix up smells by trying different routes. Use a long lead (one that’s over 6-foot in length, like this one from Petsafe) if it’s safe to do so to allow your dog to find new scents.
"Sniffing, searching and hunting are the most enriching activities we can give our dogs," Wyffels says.
7. Play Ball
8. TV Time
If your dog likes watching television, leaving the TV on can be a handy boredom buster. (Unless your dog jumps at the screen, barks excessively or howls.) There’s even a dog TV channel, but experts say to evaluate what appeals to your pooch.
“If having some background noise on while you're out of the house helps your dog then that's a good option,” Dr. Gibson says. “I had a client whose dog enjoyed watching ‘Friends’ while they were out.”
9. Flirt Pole
10. Dog Training
From attending classes to training your furry friend yourself—there are all sorts of cues and sports you can teach your pup, adult and even older dog. Consider basic training, behavior modification, flying disc (Frisbee), nose work and agility. You can even buy agility equipment and hold training sessions in your backyard. (Border Collie pet parents make note!)
“Training is incredibly interactive, engaging and enriching,” Wyffels says. “Spending the time bonding is invaluable.”
More Dog Boredom-Busting Ideas
Sometimes, busting boredom involves a little help from a friend or going on an adventure by car or even in your backyard. Try these other ideas:
11. Attend dog daycare or hire a dog walker.
12. Go to the dog park.
13. Set up a canine companion doggie play date.
14. Go for a car ride.
15. Go swimming (just be sure to put your dog in a dog life jacket).
16. Head out hiking.
17. Get new toys or rotate existing toys.
18. Make a dog digging box or zone.
19. Teach your dog a new trick.
20. Play hide-and-seek.
Signs Your Dog Is Bored
Not sure if your dog is bored or not getting enough enrichment? Check out these classic signs:
- Barking
- Whining
- Crying
- Inappropriate chewing
- Destructive behavior
- Excessive grooming/licking
- Paces in the yard or house
- Seems apathetic and sedate
- Acts restless or anxious
Dog Boredom FAQs
Q:
Are dogs bored all day?
Q:
Is my dog bored or depressed?
A:
Depression is a mood disorder. Boredom is a temporary experience.
Doggie mood disorders aren't classified like they are in people, because dogs can’t tell us their feelings. “We have to infer their internal state from their outward behavior,” Dr. Gibson says. “We don't employ all of the same diagnostic labels, like depression, that humans receive.”
If your dog seems constantly anxious, agitated, isn't eating or seems depressed, contact a veterinarian.
A bored dog might bark, whine, or be destructive, but should act less frustrated after getting the enrichment they need.
Q:
What toys can I leave my dog alone with?
Q:
What are the best dog toys for mental stimulation?
A:
Interactive and puzzle toys make the best dog toys for mental stimulation. Hide food or treats inside the toy, and your dog uses their brain and body to find the hidden goodies. Experts recommend snuffle mats, snuffle balls, lick mats toys you can stuff food in.
Skip feeding from the dog bowl and put your pooch’s kibble in the toy to make mealtime a mental challenge.
Q:
What toys will keep a dog busy for hours?
A:
Brain teaser toys like dog puzzles and food-foraging toys, such as snuffle mats, treat-dispensing balls and lickmats, could keep dogs busy for hours.
Durable chews may also keep your dog busy depending on how aggressive of a chewer they are.
Dog Boredom Busting Precautions
Doggie boredom-busting solutions aren’t one-size-fits-all. Some dogs require more exercise and mental stimulation than others. Some pups don't take to the dog park, while others blossom as social butterflies. Some pooches chew through a bully stick in half an hour; for others, it lasts for days.
Your goal: Find out what safely fulfills your dog. If your dog devours a chew toy advertised as indestructible, don't leave them unattended with the toys.
Vary your boredom busters. Ensure you spend quality time working with and bonding with your dog. Even taking a few minutes daily to teach them a new trick enriches their lives.
"If a dog is fulfilled, they are getting what they need," Wyffels says. "Watch to see if your dog is content when they're home. Do they have what we call a nice off-switch? Are they relaxed? Comfortable? Do they lie down? Then they are content."
Not sure what your dog is trying to tell you? Explore our comprehensive guide to decoding dog body language.
More ways to entertain your dog:
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