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In this article, we\u2019ll dive into whether dogs can get bored, and why they might be bored, signs to look for in your dog to tell if they\u2019re bored and boredom buster tips that can help to ease your dog\u2019s boredom.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Zigzag app <\/a>will help prevent boredom, in you and your dog. We\u2019ve created a personalized journey based on your dog\u2019s breed and their stage of development to give you the right content when you need it most. Not just that, but we also have a team of professional dog trainers<\/a>, to answer your questions or help you pout with training your dog.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, dogs can get bored. Historically they were bred to do a job and spend their days hunting, working, or scavenging for food. Stuck in our homes with nothing to do can get very boring. A bored dog is not a happy dog and will often make mischief.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Different breeds and ages of dogs will have different exercise requirements<\/a>. Companion<\/a> and toy breeds<\/a> generally need less exercise than others, but all dogs appreciate some time outside the house, whether for short or long walks<\/a>, or even just sitting on a bench watching the world go by. It’s not just about running around; your dog will get the right amount of exercise by being outside and sniffing as well as by letting off steam too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs are clever! They need to exercise their brains as well as their bodies. Mental stimulation can come through play, opportunities for reward based training, <\/a>or access to mentally enriching activities<\/a> and toys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs are social creatures, and being on their own is boring. This is often true when we leave dogs alone for extended periods of time<\/a>, and if they do not have a chance to socially interact with other dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have a working dog, be that a sheepdog <\/a>who likes to herd, a gundog<\/a> who wants to chase and bring you back a bird, or a terrier like a Jack Russell <\/a>who wants to chase and destroy things, then they have instincts which can\u2019t be quashed. This can lead to boredom, as the desire to do these things is still there, it just doesn’t have an outlet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs have curious and exploratory natures and like to live in an enriched environment, so a room, crate<\/a> or playpen <\/a>with nothing in it is likely to make them bored. We know that dogs will chew<\/a>, scratch or rip up their bed<\/a>, but this isn\u2019t a good reason not to give them anything else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Signs that your dog is bored can be quite obvious, barking, pacing, being full of beans all of the time, or more subtle signs such as an increase in sleep or being lethargic. Read on, and we\u2019ll go into signs your dog might be bored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bored dogs will go self-employed, they might chew or lick walls or carpet, scratch and dig at their beds<\/a>, eat the post, or munch through<\/a> your best shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Puppies need to sleep <\/a>a huge amount, and adult dogs still spend a fair amount of time sleeping, but there should also be times that they\u2019re active too. An increase in sleeping or if your dog is lethargic<\/a> can be a cause for concern and can be linked to boredom or depression in dogs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pacing is often a sign that a dog is bored and looking for extra stimulation, it can also be a sign of anxiety or stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Excessive barking<\/a>, or barking at nothing<\/a>, is a sign that your dog might be trying to amuse themselves. Barking often has a self-reinforcing effect and lots of dogs enjoy doing it or they do it in order to provoke a response from you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether they\u2019re licking you<\/a>, your face<\/a>, hands<\/a> or feet<\/a>, or they\u2019re licking floors, it can be a sign that they\u2019re bored, or anxious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you call this attention seeking, connection seeking, or in dog training circles action prompting, it can look like any or all of the above. Barking for attention<\/a>, nudging you to get your attention, or licking you<\/a>, they\u2019re all ways of your dog trying to communicate that they need something, and are bored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Zoomies or frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs for short) are commonly seen in puppies, and in adult dogs after a stressful or arousing event like bath time<\/a>! If your dog is getting zoomies a lot and proving difficult to calm down<\/a>, then it can be because they are bored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you think your dog is bored, then it\u2019s quite easy to fix! Provide them with outlets to stretch their brain; give them an enriched environment to live in, play games, train them with positive reinforcement, and make sure they\u2019re getting enough exercise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n No need to pound the streets to wear them out. Take them for a sniffy walk<\/a> where they get a chance to not only smell the flora and fauna outside, and check their pee-mails, but also to burn off some energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs love to learn, and reward based training<\/a> is the best for this. Try out clicker training <\/a>and teach some tricks<\/a> to stretch their brains<\/a> not just their legs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We\u2019re sure you know that dogs have incredible noses with an amazing sense of smell, and scent detection is wonderful for helping dogs avoid boredom. It\u2019s quite an easy win for pet parents too as the dog does all the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are so many different games you can play with your dog, and they\u2019re not just about playing fetch<\/a> either, but toys<\/a> definitely help keep things interesting! Not only do games help with your dog\u2019s boredom, but they also develop your relationship with your dog and increase your bond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many different types of enrichment<\/a>, and interactive puzzles<\/a> are one type of food enrichment that will have your dog problem-solving and help to reduce boredom. You can buy puzzle toys<\/a> or make your own, like the indoor foraging box in our training games library<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs need an interesting environment to live in, let them have their toys<\/a> out of the toy box, and give them plenty of blankets<\/a> and beds<\/a>, so they can choose to sleep in different places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If your dog is social, they may appreciate a walk<\/a> with their doggy friends. This will provide them plenty of opportunity to play with their own kind, elevating their mood and mentally stimulating them, so they\u2019ll be less bored when they get home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether they just want strokes, to be groomed<\/a>, or a training session where you teach them having their teeth brushed<\/a> is fine, your dog LIVES to have your attention and this will help them not be bored. We also quite like a cuddle too, don\u2019t we?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Agility<\/a>, scent work, obedience<\/a>, or gundog classes<\/a> will all give your dog a purpose and give you some ideas for things to train when you\u2019re not in class. You might meet some friends too, as clubs are often very community and social minded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is one way to tire a puppy out and definitely help with boredom, they will come home from puppy classes pooped! Find a good reward based puppy socialization class<\/a> in your area, your puppy will likely love going!<\/p>\n\n\n\n It can get boring for us, and boring for our dogs, to visit the same places day after day. Pop them in the car<\/a> and explore somewhere new, the novelty will be enriching for you both, and your dog will be less bored when you take them home. This is especially good for puppies who you are trying to socialize<\/a>, as you’ll likely see quite a few \u2018first\u2019s be that horses, or going for a swim.<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dogs do get bored if they’re sat around not doing anything and being left for an extended period of time<\/a>. Dogs are social creatures and like having us or other dogs around for company, they also need a good level of physical <\/a>and mental exercise each day, along with plenty of attention from us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We can easily stop our dogs from being bored by giving them plenty of things to do in their day-to-day lives like reward based training<\/a>, brain games<\/a>, as well as playing and giving them affection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Download a trial today<\/a> and give it a go, your dog will thank you, we\u2019re sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"red](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bored-1.png\")
Can dogs get bored? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lack of exercise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Lack of mental stimulation <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Loneliness <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No outlet for breed specific behavior <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A boring environment <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"bored](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bored-2.png\")
Signs that your dog is bored <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Destructiveness <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sleeping a lot <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If you see a huge increase in the amount your dog is sleeping, and you can\u2019t think of a reason, then it\u2019s worth contacting your Vet <\/a>for a chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPacing <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Barking <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
If your dog only barks when you leave the house, it\u2019s wise to check and see if they\u2019re struggling with being away from you and\/or have separation anxiety.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nLicking, chewing, or scratching<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Dogs can also chew and scratch at things when they\u2019re bored, sometimes it\u2019s just to amuse themselves or because they\u2019re teething<\/a>, and other times it can be a displacement behavior – a behavior seen out of context done to provide relief from stress, or yep, boredom!<\/p>\n\n\n\nAttention seeking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Getting the zoomies <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"dog](\"https:\/\/zigzag.dog\/wp-content\/uploads\/bored-3.png\")
How to help a bored dog <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Increase physical exercise <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Train them with positive reinforcement <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Try out some scent work <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Check out our training games library<\/a> for some scent work ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPlay games <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Try puzzle games <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Give them an enriched environment <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Take them on a doggy playdate <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Consider a puppy daycare<\/a> or pet sitter<\/a> who looks after other dogs if you don\u2019t know anyone to walk with.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGive them your undivided attention <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Try a dog sport <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Go to puppy socialization classes <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Take your dog somewhere new <\/h3>\n\n\n\n