Bored Dog? How to Keep Your Entertained
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While having a dog is wonderful and can definitely complete a family, in most cases, the owners cannot provide companionship at all times. The lack of exercise and mental stimulation during the day makes dogs look for things to do. In most cases, it is not something we would approve of.
Also, boredom can appear even if your dog is not left home alone, so you should do the best you can when you are with him or her as well. According to a recent study, dogs that do not engage in a lot of play develop and display more behavioural problems, including aggression and anxiety. So what should we do if we have a bored dog?
How does boredom manifest?
It is important to understand that boredom leads to barking, digging, excessive chewing, as well as other destructive behaviours. Moreover, dogs have a lot of energy, and they need to consume it. Boredom busters and activities that can occupy their bodies and minds are the key ingredients to prevent a dog from getting bored and into trouble.
To maintain your pet fit from both a physical and mental point of view, you will need to find interactive activities as well as toys that you can enjoy together. It does not matter if your dog is a puppy or an adult, he or she needs entertainment.
How to combat boredom?
Fortunately, there are various games, toys, treats, and tricks you can use in order to get rid of this problem.
For example, playing games of hide-and-seek or hiding treats around the house is a great way to bring extra mental stimulation to your pet’s routine. Moreover, it is a versatile game that you can easily teach your dog. You can start with a simple game of guess which hand. Also, you can play it anytime, anywhere, and with treats and toys, you already have.
Try new things
If you maintain the same route, daily walks can become a little mundane. However, every now and then, you should change your pace and explore new neighbourhoods. If you allow your dog to smell the surroundings, it will add to his or her mental stimulation.
Having your dog help out with your tasks or ever-day routines is another great way to mentally and physically stimulate him or her. For example, you can teach your canine friend to help with the laundry baskets, or carry logs and sticks out to the woodpile. Besides helping dogs relieve boredom, these activities also help to build their confidence.
Breed’s tendency
You should also think about activities that are following the dog’s breed tendency. Border Collies generally excel in agility, while Retrievers tend to like fetching. It is easy to discover what your pet’s breed is good at or loves, and exploit it in order to stimulate your beloved friend mentally and physically.
If your dog likes to dig, you should build him or her a personal digging box in your yard. Furthermore, you can make things even more interesting by burying toys in it for your canine friend to find. There are dogs who love digging so much that it can keep them busy for hours. What is more, they will also be entertained by this activity.
Big ball toys can certainly be a lot of fun. Jolly balls are a good option because they are more durable than other types. There are dogs that like to play with these by themselves, but you can also create fun interactive games by playing with your dog.
Solutions for dogs that are left alone
Stuffed Kong and other interactive toys are excellent choices to keep your dog’s mind occupied when you are away from home. If you leave a few of these around the house, they can keep your canine friend busy and entertained for hours.
In case your pet is left at home alone for long periods, you should also consider hiring a dog walker. If you cannot afford to hire someone, perhaps you have a family member, a friend, or a neighbour who is willing to stop by and walk your dog every once in a while.
Also, make sure your pet has enough food when you are away. Hunger can make dogs chew as well. If you have other pets as well, you might be interested in some of the top choices of food for hamsters.
What tips do you have for a bored dog?
Credits:
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Photo by Nathalie SPEHNER on Unsplash
The post Bored Dog? How to Keep Your Entertained appeared first on Wag The Dog UK.
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