How to tell if your dog is bored

A happy dog has the right balance of exercise, rest, and mental stimulation. If your pooch gets bored, they could develop challenging or destructive behaviour to keep themselves occupied. Here are the signs to look out for, along with some fun ways to entertain your doggo.

Signs your dog is bored

A dog can get bored for many reasons, which means their behaviour can vary depending on the cause. Signs of boredom can also be symptoms of other issues, such as physical pain or anxiety. Bored dogs may lose interest in some activities, but this can also be a sign of tiredness. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to discuss behavioural changes with your vet.

A bored dog could start destroying your carpets or furniture by chewing or scratching or digging up your flower beds. They might bark or howl constantly or otherwise become restless. Your pooch might also become more needy, jumping up or whining for attention.

Ways to provide enrichment and prevent boredom

There are lots of ways to entertain your dog or give them the chance to occupy themselves. We recommend a mix of activities, as variety can help prevent boredom for both you and your pooch. It’s a good idea to match activities to your dog’s usual routine.

Here are a few of our favourites to inspire you.

Entertain your dog with food

Using food can give your dog a fun activity, the chance to experience new smells and earn a tasty treat at the end. Encouraging your pooch to put in a bit of effort takes them back to their wolf ancestors, who had to hunt for their meals. You can buy or create a puzzle feeder or use a lick mat with their favourite food spread on it. Hiding treats around the house for them to find is great for getting them moving on a wet day when you can’t get outside. In warm weather, a frozen Kong keeps them busy and helps them stay hydrated.

If you decide to use food as enrichment, keep an eye on how much your dog is eating so they stay healthy.

Toys and games

Toys can be a fun part of your dog’s day when you’re there to play with them, and if you need to go out and leave your pooch at home. If you have a lot of dog toys, swap them around regularly so your dog doesn’t get bored.

You can also create simple games using toys, such as catch or tug of war. If your dog enjoys an indoor scent trail using food, try switching it to a toy trail instead. You can hide their favourite toy and encourage them to sniff it out and bring it to you before hiding it again.

Revisit your training

If you’re in the middle of training a new puppy, you’re probably already spending lots of time developing their skills. Revisiting those early training sessions with your older dogs helps remind them of the basics. You could also keep them mentally stimulated by teaching them new or advanced techniques. This can be a great idea for working breeds who naturally lean towards particular skills, such as retrieving objects or agility.

Have a change of scenery

If you follow the same route around your local park on every walk, your pooch could get bored of smelling the same scents and meeting the same dogs every day. Exploring new places lets them experience different environments, which can also help with social enrichment. Try taking a different route around your neighbourhood or heading to a new location. Exploring a forest, a new town or taking them to the beach can be fun for both of you.

Give your pooch time to explore and discover new sights and smells. See how each new environment affects their mood and behaviour to find the places that they enjoy most.

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