We'd like to believe that our dogs should always happy and having a good time, but dogs, like humans, grow bored at times. How could they not be? While their people are at work, many dogs, like mine, spend the whole day in the living room watching TV or snoozing on the couch. If we had the same routine every day, we'd be bored as well. An Active MindA small amount of mental stimulation may go a long way. In fact, 15 minutes of cerebral engagement is equivalent to two hours of physical activity for a dog. So go ahead and try some nose work (treat-based smell training), puzzle toys, or new skills with your dog. Give a Dog ChewTheir boredom will be relieved with a safe, non-rawhide chew that gives more than 10 minutes of chewing time. Your Dog is TiredTake them on a pleasant easy stroll if you know you'll be busy for the day. Allow them to explore and get their "sniffs" out by giving them an additional leash. When dogs are able to smell different parts of the environment on a regular basis, they are using both their brains and their muscles. Use Interactive Toys and Games When you're at home, you may play tug games, "find it," and hide and seek with your dog. If you're doing housework, you may teach your dog to handle and carry items to assist you with washing and yard chores. When you are away from home and your dog becomes bored, interactive activities are ideal. These games resemble puzzles, and the dog must solve them in order to obtain a concealed reward. Keep your dog occupied in whichever way you can. Boredom is not enjoyable. Maintain Your Dog's SocializationWeekly trips to doggie daycare will keep your canine occupied, exhaust them, and help them maintained their socializing skills. However, it's critical to give your pet "down time" so they don't become over stimulated, as this is when they're most likely to misbehave. Make A Dog-Approved ScheduleCreating a rotating enrichment activity program is the greatest approach to keep your dog cognitively challenged and engaged. Every day, give your dog something interesting to do and explore. The activities you pick are entirely up to you, and you may take an activity out of rotation for a long time if it is no longer effective for your dog. Pay attention to your dog. If they're generating self-destructive or house-destructive behaviors on specific activity days, it's time to switch things up or add a more exciting activity Consult a veterinarianIt's possible that what we think of as boredom is actually something else. If your dog has separation anxiety, you'll need help from a professional dog trainer who specializes in this condition, since an enrichment activity program will not suffice! Any destructive behaviors would be stemming from the factors other than being boredom. While they are with their on-going work with the trainer, it is never a bad thought to have your dog enjoy doggy daycare on the days you need to be out of the house for extended periods of time so you don't lose any progress you have made with your dog. But, try not to over-think a healthy amount of boredom is good! You don’t want to feel like you need to constantly entertain the pet and that they can find ways to entertain themselves.
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AuthorA pet lover and a blogger for a hobby. Archives
November 2022
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