Is Your Dog Bored Out of Their
Mind? Signs Your Pet Needs More Mental Stimulation
Dogs were originally bred for important jobs like
herding, hunting, and guarding. Modern day pets still have a lot of energy and
smarts waiting to be put to good use. But when confined at home with minimal
activity, dogs easily get bored. A bored dog tends to act out through whining,
barking, chewing, digging, and other destructive behaviors.
Luckily, with some simple solutions, you can provide the
mental enrichment your pup craves. Read on to learn common signs of a bored dog
and ways to stimulate their mind and body.
Ø Excessive Chewing or Destruction
Dogs left alone for long stretches will entertain
themselves however they can – usually by chewing up your favorite pair of shoes
or ripping apart couch cushions. While natural, this destructive chewing can be
aggravating and poses a safety risk if your dog eats something that obstructs
their intestines.
Spending more time interacting with your dog and
providing appropriate chew toys can help curb this behavior. Rotate toys to
keep things interesting and use positive reinforcement when they choose an
acceptable chew item.
Ø Attention-Seeking Whines and Barks
Dogs are social animals that crave contact with their
human families. When frequently left alone during the day, dogs may vocalize
their loneliness and boredom through whining, howling or constant barking.
Try arranging a dog walker or sitter to keep your pet
company on weekdays. Offer plenty of affection and playtime when you are home
to reassure your loyal companion.
Ø Repetitive Pacing or Circling
Have you ever noticed your dog wandering from room to
room, pacing in circles or following the same repetitive route around your
home? This neurotic-seeming behavior often signals stress and insufficient
stimulation.
Up the physical and mental exercise with daily walks,
training sessions, puzzle toys and playtime with other pets. Make sure your dog
gets adequate outdoor time for sniffing, exploring and socialization.
Ø Excessive Digging
Many dogs enjoy a good dig now and then, but excessive,
frantic digging usually indicates boredom. Dogs that are left alone in
backyards for long periods may create crater-sized holes or repeatedly dig up
your flower beds.
You can curb this behavior by spending more active time
with your dog and by designating an acceptable digging spot in the yard. Bury
toys and treats to make the area more enticing. Use distraction and correction
to discourage any undesirable digging.
Ø Restlessness and Trouble Settling
Healthy, energetic dogs should be active throughout the
day and relaxed at night. Pets that have insufficient physical and mental
exercise may have trouble settling down and struggle to sleep through the
night.
Make sure your dog gets at least 30-60 minutes of
activity split into two or three sessions per day. Engage their brain with
training exercises, interactive toys and food puzzles. This will help them
expend pent-up energy and make bedtime easier.
Ø Demand Barking for Attention
Dogs are prone to demand barking when they have learned
it successfully captures your attention. Attention-seeking barking often occurs
when you are occupied with household tasks, work or screen time.
Teach your dog the “quiet” command and reward silence
with praise and treats. Withhold attention for demand barking – even negative
attention will reinforce the behavior. Stay consistent so your dog learns good
behavior, not barking, earns your focus.
Ø Forgetfulness with Commands
Does your normally obedient dog seem to forget their
training when left home alone all day? Maintaining command responses requires
ongoing practice and reinforcement.
Dedicate 5-10 minutes per day to run through basic cues
like sit, stay, come, lie down, etc. Use praise and treats to keep their skills
sharp. A bored brain leads to a disobedient dog.
Ø Disinterest in Toys
Dogs with under-stimulated minds may lose interest in
their toys, even longtime favorites. A bored dog wanders away from playtime,
won’t fetch or chase balls, and shows no joy in interactive games.
Pique their curiosity again by regularly introducing novel
toys of different shapes, textures and sounds. Hide treats in puzzle toys or
stuffable rubber toys to turn mealtime into a challenge. Your dog just needs a
mental boost.
Ø Excessive Energy and Hyperactivity
Lack of activity leaves dogs overflowing with pent-up
energy. Hyperactive dogs have trouble focusing or settling down and may jump,
nip, tear around the house or otherwise act out.
Prevent this behavior by meeting your dog’s exercise
needs each day. Take two or three walks for a total of at least 30-60 minutes.
Add in regular playtime, training sessions and puzzle toys to tire them out
both physically and mentally.
Ø Loss of Appetite
While some dogs overeat from boredom, others become
disinterested in food or treats when insufficiently stimulated. A depressed,
listless dog may pick at meals, leave food uneaten or lose interest in favorite
snacks.
Perk up their appetite by turning meals into a game. Use
puzzle bowls or toys that make your dog work for kibble. Hand feed part of
their ration during training to strengthen engagement. Mix in enticing wet food
or healthy leftovers.
Ø Excessive Sleeping and Low Energy
Of course, dogs naturally sleep more as they grow older.
But a dramatic increase in snoozing and lethargy in an otherwise healthy dog can
signal depression or boredom. Why get up when there’s nothing to do?
Get them moving with daily exercise that raises their
heart rate. Engage their mind with training games and food puzzles. Schedule
play dates with neighbor dogs for socialization. Don’t let your energetic pup
waste away the days sleeping.
Ø Escaping or Roaming
Dogs confined to a yard all day understandably look for
ways to set themselves free. Extreme boredom coupled with isolation can lead
clever escape artists to dig under fences, squeeze through holes or learn to
open gates.
Supervise your dog when outdoors or walk them on leash.
Check your yard boundaries regularly for weak spots. Make sure your dog gets
plenty of environmental enrichment so they’re less inclined to wander.
Ø Aggression or Reactivity
Lack of socialization and mental stimulation during key
development periods can manifest as aggression or reactivity toward people,
animals or stimuli like cars or bikes. Dogs need ongoing positive experiences.
Socialize your dog through regular walks in public
settings, positive training classes and playgroups with vaccinated, friendly
dogs. Reward calm behavior around triggers; correct unwanted reactions. Avert
boredom-induced behavior issues.
Ø Excessive Self-Grooming
Some obsessive floor-licking, tail-biting or paw-chewing
is normal, but excessive grooming to the point of sores or bald spots often
indicates anxiety from inadequate stimulation.
Deter this behavior by addressing the root cause –
boredom. Spend more one-on-one time with your dog playing, training and
exercising. Provide chew toys and food puzzles that engage their mind and
redirect the obsession.
Ø How to Relieve Your Dog’s Boredom
If your dog is displaying multiple symptoms
of boredom, it’s time to up their daily enrichment. Here are some great ways to
stimulate your pup:
- **Exercise** – Walks, runs, hiking and swimming. Always
supervise off-leash activity.
- **Socialization** – Playgroups and visits with
vaccinated neighbor dogs.
- **Training** – Practice obedience cues, tricks and
agility routines.
- **Toys** – Rotate plush, rubber, rope toys to maintain
novelty.
- **Food Puzzles** – Use toys that make your dog “hunt”
for kibble.
- **New Experiences** – Visit new parks, trails and
pet-friendly stores.
- **Backyard Fun** – Play fetch, set up tunnels and
obstacles.
- **Chews** – Rawhide, bully sticks, flavored marrow
bones.
- **Cuddle Time** – Don’t forget the power of affection
and bonding!
Dogs thrive when their bodies AND minds stay active on a
daily basis. Make enriching your dog’s daily routine a priority to prevent
boredom-related behavior issues. A stimulated pup is a happy, well-behaved
companion!
