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.
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.
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.
Nothing gets your dog's attention like treats. Relieve your dog's boredom by teaching Fido obedience skills and using 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.
Don't leave Fido home when you go to work, consider taking him to dog daycare. Left at home he will chew the furniture and eat your new shoes. Dog daycare is a new place with lots of new smells. New place, less boredom. Also, many dog daycare 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.
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 to help your cat or dog have the healthiest life possible. Visit Pet4CPR for
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---- Julie Ellison, PhD
