How to Prevent Pet Boredom

July 27, 2015

Let's face it: you can't take your furry friends with you everywhere you go. Restaurants, hospitals, and other places of work may frown upon you if you try to sneak your dog in. Unfortunately, this means we have to leave them at home alone every once and a while, and they can get pretty bored after a few hours alone in the home. Dogs can act out in a variety of different ways from the boredom of being left alone, and your shoes and electronics cords could be caught in the crossfire. Here are a few ways to keep your dog occupied while you're away.

Buy a Challenging Toy

Some dog toys help combat boredom by keeping your dog occupied without over-feeding them. The Kong Toy, for example, can be filled with a small amount of peanut butter that is difficult to get out, enticing your dog to spend hours rooting around for it. Other toys require the dog to solve a puzzle to receive a treat. For a relatively cheap price, you can buy a more complex toy that moves on its own or talks with your pet, like the Talking Babble Ball or the Romp! Zany Ball.

If you leave your dog outside in the yard, you can dangle a durable rope from a tree or ledge that allows them to play tug of war with themselves. Be sure the tree branch or ledge is strong enough to hold the weight; dogs' jaws can be very strong! After a few weeks, rotate out the toys you leave with your dog so he doesn't get bored of them.

Leave the Radio On

Dogs get a lot of their stimulation from the sounds in their environment. By leaving the radio on low volume, they experience variety of sounds that prevents them from getting bored. Just remember not to leave it too loud; dog's ears are much more sensitive than ours. A talking toy from the previous section is another option to provide variety of sounds. Toys that squeak or otherwise make noise are a good simple option.

Give them Lots of Space

While you may be hesitant to give your dog free roam in the house or yard, it prevents them from getting bored or antsy while you are away. Dogs are territorial animals. They want to be able to survey their territory throughout the day. Never lock your dog in one room alone for long periods of time. They will definitely get bored, lonely, and anxious, leading them to chew on furniture, shoes, and electrical cords. Prepare your house by putting chewable items or food up high or in cabinets, leaving a few toys to occupy her, and giving her access to an area to relieve herself.

Built-in dog doors are a great way to let your dog go out to the bathroom while you are away while still letting them take shelter from the weather inside the house. There are a variety of non-permanent dog doors that can be inserted onto a sliding glass door track. If that's not an option, puppy pads in a designated area are a good tool to save your carpet from unseemly pet stains. On the other hand, if you leave your dog outside while you are away, keep a dog house with a soft bed that they can take shelter in if it starts to rain or gets too cold or hot.