Have you ever left your dog home alone only to come back to a mess—a piece of chewed furniture or worse? You’re not alone. Dogs are naturally social breeds and when left by themselves for too long, they can get bored and cause trouble.
Puppies, in particular, have a high level of energy and are always looking for new things to explore and learn. If they don’t receive enough mental and physical stimulation, their curious nature may become bored and restless.
A bored dog will often find their own way to have fun. When left to their own devices, bored puppies will tend to chew furniture or shoes, get into garbage or find anything that they find to pass the time. Plus, if their human isn’t there to stop them, it’s much more exciting.
For dog owners, coming home to a big mess is a clear sign that their dog is restless and needs more stimulation. If you work in an office or have to be away from home all day, your dog is probably a great candidate for doggy daycare. But even if you’re home during the day, dogs still require mental and physical stimulation.
So, what can you do to help your bored puppy?
Keeping Your Puppy Entertained: Fun Activities to Fight Boredom
- Introduce Puzzle Toys
Giving your dog’s brain a workout can be just as stimulating as physical activities. Before you leave the house for the day, try interactive games to challenge your dog’s mind. Dog puzzle toys are fantastic ways to stimulate your dog’s cognitive reasoning abilities. These types of toys have places to hide treats and task your pup to open the different compartments, which can keep them occupied for hours.
- Offer Safe Chews
Offer safe chewing opportunities for your pup. Puppies that are teething require something to chew on to alleviate their sensitive gums, but really any dog may resort to chewing to reduce stress or boredom. Bully sticks, dental chews, and other canine-safe chew options may offer a more suitable outlet as long as you’re there to supervise.
- Get Outside and Be Active
Puppies have a lot of energy and need plenty of exercise to burn it off. Take your puppy for walks, play fetch, or engage in other activities that will keep them physically active. Check out other activity ideas for you and your pup in our recent blog.
- Provide a Safe Play Environment
Just as many parents child proof their house for their kids, make sure that there is nothing harmful that is within your dog’s reach. Make sure your home is puppy-proofed and that your puppy has access to toys and activities that are appropriate for their age and energy level. Crate training early on is an effective way to keep your dog out of trouble, in a safe environment.
- Bring Your Pup to Daycare for All-Day Play
If you find that you’re going to be out of the house for a few hours or heading to the office, doggy daycare is a great way to keep your pup entertained all day long. Here at Hounds Town, our dogs get to play and socialize with their packs in a safe and supervised environment. Not only will they make furry friends, but they’ll leave with a Hounds Town hangover, leaving them happy and tired!
Come see all the fun and excitement that we have to offer your pup. Visit your nearest Hounds Town to learn more about our doggy daycare.