Is Your Dog Bored?

Dogs are very much like children. They give us plenty of love and affection, and all they really want in return is attention, fun, and playtime. Dogs, like children, get bored when they’re not getting enough of these things. And, again, like children, they will become increasingly destructive as these feelings escalate!
Is your pup bored? It is relatively easy to tell. Here are some signs to watch out for:
-He lies around, looking at you with big puppy eyes. He’s lethargic and not his usual lively self. Lack of stimulation and exercise can make him listless and actually decreast his energy.
-He tears up the house when you’re gone. You may leave for work with a clean house. When you come back, you wonder what hurricane has hit in your absence. Curtains, shoes, furniture, and other belongings may be chewed, plants may be knocked over, and it is possible that he’ll have had accidents in the house.
-He greets you like a long-lost relative each time you walk into the door, pawing you and jumping up. He missed you – he wants to play! He has been so bored, and now you’re here to save him.
Boredom is easy to diagnose but it takes a little more effort to cure. The most effective treatment for boredom is exercise. A brisk walk, playing in the yard, indoor tricks, and other physical activities can make a world of difference. You’ll start to see problem behavior decreasing. It is hard to get exercise in the winter; it is hard to get enough exercise when you have work all day. That is true. But coming home to a chewed-up house is not fun either. Take the time you’d have to spend cleaning and exercise your dog.
A variety of chew toys and bones is another way to offset boredom. Get your dog a few new ones. Each morning before you go to work, put a new one on her dog bed or in a spot he likes to rest. Show it to her and then make your escape. Don’t make a big production of coming or going.
If you work long hours and have little time for a walk, hire someone to walk your dog. No matter where you live, there is a teenager who could use a little extra money. Have this person walk your dog while you’re gone. Maybe pay them for an extra half hour to play with the dog or simply interact with him. Again, you’ll notice that destructive behavior begins to decline. On weekends or days off, you can make it up to the dog by going on long walks or hikes.
Curing boredom takes some work from you. The rewards, though, are immediately and well worth it.