You’ve been at work all day and just want to come home, relax and chill out. You open the door to see you dog staring at you and then you see the two pairs of shoes in a mangled heap, a couch cushion that exploded and the coffee table tipped over. You stand there in shock since you thought everything would be okay when you walked out the door earlier that day.
He looks at you with a cute puppy grin wagging his tail amidst the chaos and destruction. And you say aloud, “Why, oh why, would you do this?”
The reality of the situation was he was probably bored. Yes, bored.
Dog & Boredom
Your pup may demonstrate inappropriate behaviors to cope with boredom including digging, accidents in the house, barking & whining and destructive chewing. The root cause of these behaviors is often an overabundance of energy and a shortage of activity and exercise which stimulates him mentally and physically.
Since dogs need physical and mental stimulation, if left for long periods of time, they will seek this out in their environment and sometimes they satisfy their need in a destructive way.
The good news is that there are solutions that will help you create a happy & healthy pup and lessen the likelihood that he will turn into a Tasmanian devil when you are gone.
The Solutions:
- Exercise: By giving your pup adequate daily exercise he will feel physically satisfied and mentally relaxed. A routine that incorporates a walk before and after work, trips to the dog park or a game of fetch in backyard will help keep your pup happy and reduce the chances of destructive behavior if he’s left alone. A tired dog equals a happy dog.
- Mental stimulation: In addition to physical activity, your pup also needs mental stimulation. Training classes, cognitive toys and rotating toys provide a variety of positive and challenging situations that allow your dog to exercise his brain. This is essential for his emotional and mental well being.
- Socialization: If your dog likes playing with other pups, doggy daycare and dog parks are a great way to give him a break from a daily routine. You can start with dog daycare or the dog park a couple of days weekly to see how he does. You can adjust this schedule according to your dog’s needs. Often pet parents find that this opportunity for socialization makes a huge difference in their pup’s overall behavior
So before you jump to conclusion that you have a naughty dog, remember that many behavior problems stem from boredom. If you try the above solutions and problems persist, your dog may have an underlying issue with anxiety should be addressed. In this case, seek the guidance of a professional dog trainer or your veterinarian. Being a pet parent is a big responsibility but the benefits of having a healthy and happy dog are priceless.