Dog Boredom and What You Can Do About It
During the lockdown, global dog adoptions went up by 2 folds. With things slowly getting back to normal, lots of new dog owners are left with no choice but to go back to work and leave their dogs at home for hours on hand. Predictably, Google searches about misbehaving dogs surged, and the culprit seems to be pointing fingers at the boredom issue. A bored dog often acts out and displays disruptive behaviors such as making a mess, compulsive paw licking, chewing on furniture, digging garbage, making holes in the walls, barking, and constantly asking for your attention. Here are ways you can keep your dog entertained.
1. Mental stimulation
- Play hide and seek with your dog
Hide your dog’s favorite toy around the house and challenge your dog to a game of hide & snout.
- Stuff their favorite treats into a Kong toy
I usually lace my dog’s Kong toy with a little bit of peanut butter, and I would fill the kong with a carrot/pumpkin mash. After I stuff the mash into the Kong, I would leave it in the freezer until frozen. This little trick is a life savior, especially for teething puppies.
- Look into dog puzzle toys
There’s plenty of puzzle toys for dogs on Amazon. Choose one that may interest your dog, and make sure to read the safety labels and reviews!
- Lay treats around the house
This is my go-to ritual before I leave the house. I would leave treats all around the house, and Mimi lee would scavenge for hours. She suffered from separation anxiety, but ever since I introduced this trick, she can’t wait for me to leave the house.
2. Training
There are many YouTube tutorials on how to guide your dog to do tricks. Dogs often enjoy the challenge, and it’s a rewarding and bonding time for you and your dog.
3. Exercising your dog
Every breed’s exercise requirement is different. For a small breed, a walk around the neighborhood may be sufficient enough. However, for a large breed, it might require more time than the owner can set aside. This is where dog walkers can help. Pet24Care is an App that allows you to search for trusted local dog walkers. These amazing dog walkers will take your dog for a long walk or a hike depending on your request. Check out Pet24care and get your first dog walk free.