Summery :

1. Bored dog: how to understand?
2. How do I know if my dog ​​is bored?
3. Bored Dog: What to Do If Your Puppy Is Bored?
4. Bored Dog: What to Do to Make Him Happy
5. What to do to a bored dog?

1- Bored dog: how to understand?

Dogs have accompanied humans for thousands of years, but today their lives are very different from those of the past: they live permanently at home, have a bowl that magically fills up every day and are not required to contribute to the task of finding food .

Before finding out how to recognize a bored dog and what to do to make him happy , however, do not forget to join our Whatsapp channel to always be updated on health, well-being and animals.

2- How do I know if my dog ​​is bored?

• destroys , overturns and nibbles things ;
• dig in the garden (or on the sofa);
• it moves continuously;
• seeks attention insistently;
• it bites its tail ;
• barks excessively ;
• eats continuously ;
• it bothers other animals in the house;
• chews or licks more than usual;
• he’s more clingy than usual, even with guests.

Recognizing a bored dog is not very difficult: over the years we have learned to understand the language of dogs better and better , and to understand when they are stressed , depressed or suffer from separation anxiety . Boredom almost always manifests itself with an invasive attitude and destructive behaviors : when a dog has nothing to do, he simply invents it. And there are fun things to do at home to attract attention and vent a little dissatisfaction by chewing.

3- Bored Dog: What to Do If Your Puppy Is Bored?

• work on socialization ;
• introduce the puppy to a well-defined routine ;
• offer ever-changing play opportunities and toys ;
• propose simple exercises with rewards;
• indulge your puppy’s instincts by offering ropes and chew items;
• walks , as if there were no tomorrow.

Boredom can be a more evident problem in some puppies , especially if we are forced to leave them alone at home for a few hours and they are not yet used to managing the lack of stimuli due to company. Especially in the first months of life, the dog needs physical exercise and mental stimulation . Everything he learns in this period will be the basis of his behavioral standards, so it is essential to offer him the tools right from the start to grow without experiencing boredom, sadness or frustration (which over the years can turn into behavioral problems).

Socialization is essential for puppies : it is important to ensure that little Fido can meet other dogs and interact with his peers, as well as with new people and circumstances.

In the first months of a dog’s life, it is quite simple to keep him busy: the puppy must learn to know the spaces, times and routines of his home life, and this is already a commitment that requires a certain amount of attention on his part. It will be enough to add a few play sessions in company, two or three simple exercises with rewards , a couple of objects to chew freely and many, many walks in our company.

Bored Dog: What to Do to Make Him Happy

• find quality time to spend with your dog every day;
• play with the dog, often varying challenges and toys;
• make sure it has a good view;
• extend or modify the route of the walks ;
• organize a permanent treasure hunt at home;
• provide your dog with chewable objects and toys to chew on;
• teach your dog to relax .

According to a recent study by the University of Bristol, play is key to the physical and psychological well-being of dogs. If they don’t play enough, the study finds, dogs tend to develop behavioral problems such as anxiety and aggression , so it is very important to help them. The positive side is that dogs are naturally very receptive to our suggestions, and it won’t be difficult to distract them from furniture or slippers.

A very effective strategy is to make the dog have to work for food : you can organize a treasure hunt, hiding snacks in different corners of the house, or precede mealtime with a game. It can be very useful to offer the dog the opportunity to see what is happening outside : a nice view of the outside world will keep him busy and provide lots of mental stimulation.

In some cases, the only solution is to actively help the dog relax: not all dogs are naturally inclined to relax, but we can teach them to do it more often and without fear. Cuddles, caresses and belly rubs remain, in this sense, the best remedy.

5- What to do to a bored dog?

• lots of exercise , preferably in company;
• puzzles and brain teaser games;
• reward exercises;
• interactive games;
• (legal) digging sessions;
• sporting activity , for example dog agility.

Of course, there is no one solution that works for every bored dog in the world: the right strategy depends on the breed , age , character of the dog and the type of relationship we have developed with him. Terriers , for example, will really appreciate the possibility of digging in the dirt or in a sandbox set up specifically for this purpose. Some dogs love listening to music and entertaining themselves by watching TV , while others want nothing more than to run .

More docile dogs may find great stimulation in simple reward-based exercises , a sort of introduction to training that will keep them mentally and physically occupied, while more nervous dogs may find the challenge of brain-teasing games and interactive puzzles very engaging.