A 2017 animal study indicates that many animals do experience boredom including dogs. Research found that some of them resort to doing anything, even something they don’t like such as indiscriminate eating, to avoid monotony.
Hence, providing canines with physical and mental stimulation regularly should not be neglected. Keeping your bored dog busy and entertained is an easy task when you are at home with him.
However, in many cases, you cannot be by his side at all times. We will share with you helpful tips on how to provide him with enough stimulation whenever you need to leave your pooch alone at home.
What Does Dog Boredom Feel Like?
Very much like a bored human, says biologist Charlotte C. Burn. She also said that boredom in dogs happens when “arousal inputs are low, but arousal motivation is high.”
In other words, boredom occurs when a dog is feeling energetic but is unable to find anything to get busy with.
When a canine pet gets bored, he can engage in various undesirable behaviours. He may bark excessively, indulge in digging, chew inappropriately, or all of the above.
As such, dog owners need to provide them with physical and mental exercises to keep their minds and bodies active and healthy.
7 Strategies to Turn a Bored Dog Into a Busy Pooch
Here are 7 things you can do to ensure that your furry pal acquires sufficient stimulation when you are away:
Tip #1: Wear Your Bored Dog Out Before Leaving Home
If you are worried about leaving your dog home alone, then do not give them time to get lonely. Walk off his extra energy before you go. If you are pressed for time, turn short physical exercise sessions up a notch. You can:
- Jog through your neighbourhood with your dog.
- Cycle or rollerblade alongside him using a different route.
- Put a small canine backpack or a weight vest on him to increase the physical challenge of a walk.
You can also engage in a bit of playtime with him to prevent boredom. You can, for example, play hide and seek with him. Or try to hide treats in your house and have him look for them. Consider giving him refresher training sessions as well to keep his mind sharp.
Another good idea is to engage his natural prey drive with a game. Have him chase a doggy flirt pole. Some poles are washable so you can rub a food or a treat with an interesting scent on it.
Let the toy dangle in front of your pooch to catch his attention. Move the toy bait around slowly and stop at unpredictable intervals and positions. If you move it faster, your dog will physically work harder. The slow movement will engage your furry friend’s mental capacities more.
A tired dog is more likely to rest and sleep most parts of the day than engage in bad behaviours.
However, do not overexercise your bored dog or else he might experience overstimulation. It will leave him feeling high-strung, which could lead to rowdy behaviour when you leave.
Tip #2: Sign Up for a Dog Sports Activity
Letting your canine companion participate in dog sports allows him to release energy in big bursts. It will take some time before his energy levels build up again. Thus, he is less likely to be unruly when you leave him alone at home.
When choosing which dog sport you would like your pet to participate in, consider his breed and energy level. For instance, a high-energy herding dog like a Border Collie is naturally adept at herding, agility, and flyball.
Preparation for dog sports involves giving your dog lots of training. He will receive plenty of physical and mental stimulation around this time, which keeps dog boredom away.
Tip #3: Provide Interactive Dog Toys
Interactive dog toys are wonderful boredom busters. A Kong toy stuffed with yummy treats such as peanut butter will keep your bored dog occupied in your absence.
Put in a combination of wet and dry treats and then freeze the toy overnight. The slow process of thawing and getting the contents out of the toy will occupy your pet for hours.
Other great alternatives to a Kong toy are lick mats, puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and dog treats dispensers.
If you can leave your bored dog in the back garden, provide him with his very own digging box. Hide a couple of toys in it. He will have so much fun finding little surprises that he will probably forget that you are out. This is especially suitable for hunting dog breeds.
Tip #4: Rotate Your Dog’s Toys
You do not need to keep buying new toys to avoid having a bored dog at home. Old toys can feel novel to your pet with the help of toy rotation.
To do this, gather all of his toys and give him one to amuse himself with. Then replace the toy with another one from the stash after a week.
You will find that your dog will still be as excited about playing with an old one as he is with a brand-new one.
You May Also Like:
- Separation Anxiety in Dogs: Signs and Solutions
- Dog Breeds That Can Better Tolerate Being Home Alone
- How Long Can You Leave a Puppy Alone
- Music for Dogs
- Best Toys for Puppies
- 9 Questions You Want to Ask Before Getting a Dog Behaviourist
Tip #5: Leave the Music or Television On
You can play classical music for your bored dog whilst you are away. Studies have found that canine pets find this type of music soothing. Although you can change it up with other music, avoid playing rock or heavy metal songs as they can agitate him.
You can also tune into DogTV, which features programmes scientifically designed for dogs. The images of other dogs engaging in different activities will help provide company for him.
The channel’s sounds are changed and colours are muted to suit canine senses. Even the camera footage is taken at a lower angle to mimic a dog’s point of view.
You can also tune in to a channel that sparks interest in your bored dog. Observe him when you are watching TV and changing channels. Which one seems to draw and keep his attention? You can leave that particular channel on before you head out.
Tip #6: Leave Your Dog at a Pet Care Facility
Dogs are social creatures. Unless your furry pal lives in a multidog household, life at home can get boring and lonely quickly. A doggy daycare allows your dog to meet new humans and canine friends.
The new sounds, sights, and scents stimulate your bored dog’s mind and senses. Not only will he be sufficiently occupied, but he will also return home happy and wanting to sleep off his exertions.
Some pet care facilities do not take in dogs that have not been neutered or of a particular size. That is because such places typically allow their canine guests to interact with each other. Do some research to find one that is suitable for your dog.
Tip #7: Get Help from a Dog Walker or a Pet Sitter
The best way is to find another human your dog can interact with. Aside from a professional dog walker or a pet sitter, you can enlist the help of family members or friends. You can even see if you have a neighbour who can take on the task.
You May Also Like:
- The Smart Pet Owner’s Guide to Dog Body Language
- Signs and Causes of Abnormal Dog Behaviour
- Beginner’s Guide to Dog Agility Training
FAQs About Bored Dogs
1. Are Dogs OK With Being Bored?
Dogs are not OK with being bored. As mentioned earlier, animals including canines sometimes end up indulging themselves in undesirable behaviours to avoid the monotony of life.
Pawrents must provide their canine companions with sufficient physical and mental exercise to prevent the development of behavioural problems.
2. How Do You Know If Your Dog Is Understimulated?
You will know if your dog is understimulated by observing how he acts. Bored dogs often display rowdy behaviours such as:
- Incessant barking
- Destroying the furniture
- Restless pacing
- Whining
- Tail chasing
If your pet is exhibiting these signs, provide him with enough stimulation through physical activity and brain games.
3. Should I Leave My TV On for My Bored Dog?
Leaving your TV on for your bored dog can help keep him company. If you have access to an animal or dog channel, the better. Studies show that canines can recognise their own species as well as other animals in TV shows.
4. Do Dogs Get Bored of the Same Walk?
Dogs do get bored of the same walk. Habituation to the same walking areas can make walking sessions feel monotonous for your canine friend.
So think about mapping a new dog walking route for him to keep him engaged in the activity.
Conclusion
A bored dog is an unhappy dog. Leaving him alone understimulated for long or short periods spells for a disaster. You might return to a wrecked home courtesy of his boredom.
For this reason, your furry pal must receive adequate amounts of exercise and interaction before you leave.
If you are busy, having a dog walker or a pet sitter around ensures that he gets enough physical and mental stimulation. Alternatively, you can also send him to a doggy daycare facility.
Knowing how long you can leave a dog alone can help you find the best option that works for you.
