We understand. Life gets busy, and you are sometimes out of the house from morning until evening. Between work, school activities, the gym, and that crazy commute, days can be very long.
Unfortunately, the day probably drags on for your dog as well. Like humans, most dogs don’t enjoy being alone most of the time. Dogs who are left alone all day tend to get bored, and a bored dog can be a destructive dog – whether that means chewing up your furniture, destroying your curtains, or “emptying your garbage” for you.
It is not especially healthy for your dog, both physically and mentally, to lie around all day without any stimulation. If your dog is anxious when you leave, they can also become very stressed if they are not given something else to occupy their time. Therefore it is important to find ways to entertain your dog when you are not at home.
The good news is, with a little trial and error, you should be able to find some distractions for your dog that they really enjoy. Here are just a few ideas as to how to keep your dog happy and active throughout the day.
4 Ways to Entertain Your Dog
- Provide Kong Toys, Chew Toys & Interactive Feeders : The classic Kong toy is recommended by veterinarians and trainers alike as a safe and reliable toy. Fill with peanut butter with a few treats mixed in, and your dog will be kept deliciously occupied. Have several of their favorite chew toys around the house, and you may even wish to try a stuffed animal friend, but make sure they are made for dogs! Interactive ball feeders, which gradually dispense food as the dog plays, will keep him moving throughout the day, fulfilling both diet and exercise needs.
- Keep Them Thinking with Simple Puzzle Toys: Puzzle toys require your dog to think and problem solve as they search for hidden treats, meaning that those hours can be filled with some mental stimulation. Once your dog gets used to the process, you can challenge him with more difficult puzzles.
- Keep the TV On: Familiarity is the key. If your dog is one to get anxious every time you leave, you may wish to put on the television during the day or play music similar to what he hears you play when you are home. This will help to soothe him and make him feel like things are more “normal” as if you were in the next room. Music or television also help to drown out sounds that may upset them, such as cars driving past or a neighbor dog barking.
- Smile for the Camera: Technology has affected every part of our life, and pet ownership is no exception. Wifi cameras allow pet owners to not only see their animals throughout the day but to speak to them. Some allow the dog to see you as well as hear you, and some even dispense treats with a swipe of your finger. These cameras have radically changed the plight of the stay-at-home dog, but beware! Pet owners report that these cameras are highly addictive and can become quite distracting and even detrimental to have at their school or work.
A fun way to entertain your dog is to look into putting him in “doggy daycare” a few times per week. This will give them the opportunity to play with other animals, practice socialization, get lots of exercise, and enjoy the attention of the dog lovers caring for them. Although perhaps not a daily solution, your dog will learn to love his days with his friends.
If your dog is exhibiting negative behaviors and is not responding to your efforts aimed at modifying the behavior, give Gulf Coast K9 Training a call. We help Sarasota and Bradenton dog owners by proving comprehensive dog training and play care for dogs of all ages.
