While dogs are usually quite good at entertaining themself, it
doesn’t mean that they don’t experience boredom from time to time. If you’re
not sure if your dog is experiencing boredom, or if you know that they are but
aren’t sure what to do about it, read on!

How can I tell if my
dog is bored?

Dogs don’t often hide the fact that they are bored – they
actually try to make their feelings very clear. A few of the telltale signs of
dog boredom include:

• Destructive
  behavior: Dogs that are experiencing boredom will chew, dig, or scratch
  anything they can access – be it your furniture, doors, walls, or yard.

• Hyperactivity: Dogs who have
  experienced boredom while you were away will often greet you with over-the-top
  enthusiasm, jumping on you and frantically barking or whining.

• Extreme
  self-soothing behaviors: Bored dogs may also engage in extreme
  self-soothing behaviors, such as licking their paws or other parts of their
  body raw.

How can I cure my dog’s
boredom?

Fortunately, it’s not difficult to add some excitement to your
dog’s life. If you notice your dog displaying any of the telltale signs of
boredom, try incorporating some of these ideas into your daily routine. Not
only will these cure your dog’s boredom, but they also provide a great
opportunity to strengthen the bond between you and your dog.

Idea 1: Make mealtime
more engaging

A fun and easy way to bring some excitement into your dog’s day
is by turning mealtime into playtime. Swapping their traditional bowls for
puzzle feeders will keep them mentally and physically engaged as they work out
how to get to their food.

There are several different designs of puzzle feeders available,
such as:

• Brick puzzles, like this one by Outward Hound
• Ball puzzles, like this one by OurPets
• Snuffle mats, like this one by AWOOF
• Interactive puzzles, like this one by LOOBANI

There are so many options on the market, you could always have a
selection of puzzle feeders on hand and mix them up to keep your pup on their
toes.

Idea 2: Give them some ‘company’ while you’re gone

If you worry about your dog experiencing boredom when left home
alone, fear not – there are devices designed specifically to keep your dog
company.

• DOGTV: Before you
  head out, tune in to DOGTV, a unique streaming service designed specifically
  for dogs. Their programming is shown with adjusted coloration and at a higher
  frequency of frames per second to better suit dogs. The programming is also
  divided into three segments, scheduled based on the average canine daily cycle.

• Pet cameras: With the PetCube Bites 2, you can interact with your dog via your phone while you’re gone. It offers two-way communication, so you can speak to your dog and hear if they respond as well toss treats up to 6 feet in the air for your pet to catch. Interested? Check out our full list of top pet cameras. 

Idea 3: Keep their mind
busy

Another way to combat dog boredom is by offering them toys and activities that will keep their mind busy throughout the day. If your dog has to spend time alone during the day, a Kong toy is a simple but effective way to keep them entertained. Simply fill it with a thin layer of their favorite Freshpet roll or a handful of a bagged recipe and your dog can spend hours fishing out the snack. During the summer months, you can also freeze the Kong to make it a nice cooling treat.

Idea 4: Teach them new
tricks

Spending a little bit of time each day working on new tricks will keep your dog’s mind engaged and channel their energy into positive behavior. This can be especially helpful if your dog has to spend time alone during the day, as they can use this as downtime after getting their energy out with you. If your pup is food motivated, we recommend using their favorite Freshpet treat as a high-value reward while training.

Idea 5: Try a dog
sitter or dog walker

If your dog still seems to be experiencing boredom, especially
while you’re not home, it may be a good idea to look into doggy daycare or dog
walking services in your area. This way, they’ll have company to keep them
entertained when you’re not around.

Have any other tips for curing your dog’s boredom? Share them in
the comments for other pet parents to try!

Source: Freshpet