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July is anti-boredom month and we’re here to help kick boredom to the curb! Just like people, your dog can get bored too. Boredom in dogs can come out in more destructive ways than just sighing and wishing you had something to do. Dogs suffering from boredom may chew on furniture, dig holes in your yard or carpet, bark excessively or bite for attention. To save yourself from the mess of a bored dog, it’s best to keep your dog entertained and enriched so they have an outlet for their energy. To help you out, we’ve gathered some tips on how to keep your dog entertained to stave off boredom!
All dogs need physical exercise. Some need more than others depending on their size and breed. Taking your dog for a walk every day is a good way to get some of that energy out. Take them on new paths to give them new sights to see and smells to sniff. If your dog is more high energy, consider taking them on a run or even a bike ride. This will force them to concentrate on staying with you and provide mental enrichment. You can also play chasing games with your dog to get energy out. Playing fetch with your dog or giving them toys they can solo play with are great outlets for running off energy.
Keeping your dog’s mind active will help stave off boredom. You can set up games for your pup to play. You can set up a digging box and bury toys for them to find. You can play tug-of-war with them. Let them play with squeaker toys to activate their natural hunting instincts. You can hide toys or treats around the house and let your dog sniff them out to keep them entertained.
Making mealtimes entertaining is a great way to keep your dog enriched and help them eat slowly. You can use slow feeders to make mealtimes last longer. You can also use treats or kibble in treat dispenser toys or in homemade games. You can put some snacks in a treat dispenser toy and make your dog work to get the food out by knocking the toy around. You can also hide treats in your hand and make your dog sniff them out and pick the correct hand. You could hide kibble under cups or in muffin tins with toy balls on top and make your dog pick up the cup or toy to get the treat.
Socializing with other dogs or people can help keep dogs active physically and mentally. Taking your dog on a new walking path will give them a chance to see new people or dogs. Dog parks are a great place to let your dog socialize, just be sure to keep an eye on them. Setting up a puppy playdate with a friend’s dog is a great way to keep both dogs entertained. Match up the temperaments of the dogs to know they will have similar play styles and will have fun together.
You can always go back to basics and teach your dog some new tricks or go over old ones. Engaging with your dog and giving them something to concentrate on and think about will keep them entertained. You can go over basic commands with them or train them in something new! Having your dog work hard to learn something new will keep their minds occupied and boredom far away.
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