Your dog gets bored just like you do. Would you be happy spending days waiting for someone to
play with you? Here are five ways you can relieve your dog's boredom.
Get your dog the right kind of toys and lots of them.
Does your dog chew everything in the house? Like your favorite shoes? Does your furniture have
bite marks on the wood and torn fabric? Dogs need to chew – chewing is essential for their
health. Chewing relieves anxiety and boredom. Chewing makes dogs feel calm. It is important to
give your dog the right size toy. Then, watch Fido play with the toy before you leave the dog and
toy alone. Some dogs will eat their toys which can cause harm to the dog. Get a toy that
challenges your dog by making him work to get what is inside the toy.
Exercise with your dog when you walk or run.
A tired dog is a happy dog. One of the best ways to tire out Fido is to use your dog as an exercise
partner. When you go for a run – run your dog. When you go for a walk – walk your dog. A tired
dog is a happy dog.
Spend time teaching your dog obedience skills.
Nothing gets your dog's attention like treats. Relieve your dog's boredom by teaching Fido
obedience skills and use treats as a reward. He will pay attention. Frustrated that Fido trips you
as you both go for the door. Spend time and use treats to teach your dog to wait and not charge
the door. Try to spend 15-30 minutes working on Fido's obedience skills. He won't be bored. You
will have an obedient canine companion.
Take Fido to dog day care for a play date.
Don't leave Fido home when you go to work, consider taking him to dog day care. Left at home
he will chew the furniture and eat your new shoes. Dog day care is a new place with lots of new
smells. New place, less boredom. Also, many dog day care businesses are designed so your dog
can play with other dogs. This means when you pick up Fido at the end of the day – he is tired,
happy, and not bored! He has spent the day, like you, socializing with his kind.
Build a digging area in your yard just for Fido.
A tired dog is a happy dog. And no one likes their lawn and flower beds destroyed. Digging is a good exercise for your dog. Digging, like chewing calms dogs. Digging can also cool dogs on a
hot day. Create an area just for Fido where you can bury his toys and treats. Then Fido can
spend time digging for his toys, not your flowers.
Find out how you can help your cat or dog have the healthiest life possible. Visit Pet4CPR for
information about treating pet emergencies today.
---- Julie Ellison, PhD