Yahoo Lifestyle The No. 1 Telltale Sign Your Dog Is Chronically Bored, According to Pet Experts
"Let kids get bored," a recent New York Times reads (essentially). The piece argues that letting children get a little bored (rather than scheduling every aspect of their days) leaves room for creativity. Fair point. But chronic boredom in dogs may spark creativity you don't particularly appreciate—at the expense of your sofa, shoes or lawn.
"Bored dogs will look for ways to entertain themselves, which may lead to destructive or unwanted behavior and illness," says Dr. Judy Morgan, DVM, CVA, CVCP, CVFT, a veterinarian and founder/CEO of Dr. Judy Morgan's Naturally Healthy Pets.
Chronic boredom isn't great for your pup's mental health, either.
"Like humans, dogs need mental stimulation to keep their minds sharp and their spirits high," says Dr. Lindsay Butzer, DVM, a PetMeds partner. "Without it, they can become anxious, depressed or even aggressive."
But unlike a human child (or adult, for that matter), dogs cannot tell us they're chronically bored. Instead, they show us. Two veterinarians and a dog trainer shared the biggest signs your dog is chronically bored and what to do about them.
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Why It Matters That Your Dog Is Chronically Bored
Pet parents want the best for their furry friends, so knowing if your dog is experiencing chronic boredom is critical.
"Recognizing if your dog is chronically bored is important for their mental and emotional well-being," says Trevor Smith, a certified dog trainer with Pupford. "It helps prevent behavioral issues, promotes physical health through exercise, strengthens the bond between you and your dog and prevents feelings of loneliness or separation anxiety."
You may get a serious case of pet-parent guilt if your dog is chronically bored. But Smith says just recognizing the signs makes you a good dog parent—and can put you on a path to rectify it.
"By addressing boredom, you can provide a more fulfilling and enriching life for your furry friend," Smith says.
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The No. 1 Sign of Chronic Boredom in Dogs
All three experts agree: The biggest red flag of chronic boredom in dogs is destructive behavior.
"One telltale sign that your dog may be chronically bored is if they start engaging in destructive behaviors like chewing up your favorite pair of shoes, redecorating the living room with their teeth or excavating your backyard like a professional archaeologist," Smith says.
Dr. Morgan concurs and says that chronic boredom may also be triggering two other issues in your pet.
"If you find that your dog has been destructive, like chewing, digging and shredding items, or that they are soiling in the house, those can be signs of anxiety and frustration secondary to boredom," Dr. Morgan explains.
Why Do Dogs Get Destructive When They Are Bored?
Experts say it's natural for dogs to engage in destructive behavior when bored. "Dogs, especially young ones, are naturally curious and energetic," says Dr. Butzer. "If they don't have an outlet for their energy, they'll find one—even if it means destroying your favorite pair of shoes."
Smith agrees. Destructive behavior may get mistaken for "bad dogs," but it's actually your companion's way of communicating their feelings.
"It's their way of saying, 'Hey, I need something more interesting to do around here,'" Smith shares.
Finally, dogs may be domesticated these days. But they still have inherited natural inclinations from their ancestors.
"Dogs have a natural instinct for hunting, chasing, scavenging and working [as herding and guard dogs]," says Dr. Morgan. "They are pack animals which means they are social. Lack of interaction is detrimental to their health and well-being."
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Other Signs Your Dog Is Chronically Bored
1. Restlessness and Pacing
If your dog can't sit still or is pacing back and forth like they're about to attend a stressful Zoom call, they may be bored.
"This behavior is a result of their pent-up energy and frustration, seeking an outlet for their boredom," says Smith.
2. Excessive Barking
Your neighbor called. They want you to know that your dog has barked all day, every day, for the last month while you were at work. According to experts, your dog has also been trying to drop you a line.
"Excessive barking when left alone, which might be reported by neighbors or seen on home camera systems, is a sign of frustration and calling for someone to interact with," Dr. Morgan says.
3. Attention-Seeking Behavior
Bored dogs sometimes take matters into their own paws.
"Dogs may resort to attention-seeking behaviors like nudging, pawing or demanding excessive petting when they are bored," Smith explains. "They crave interaction and stimulation, so they resort to seeking your attention as a way to alleviate their boredom."
4. Lack of Interest in Toys or Activities
"Lack of interest in their surroundings, toys or food may indicate boredom," Dr. Morgan says. "Most dogs will not play or eat while they are alone."
But they may not be into fun, games or food when you're around.
"They may seem unengaged, listless or unwilling to participate, as their current toys or activities fail to provide the mental stimulation they crave," says Smith.
5. Escaping
Hudini-style great escapes can be a nightmare for pet parents trying to keep dogs safe. But the behavior may be a sign you need to dig into your dog's chronic boredom.
"Dogs that are persistently bored may show attempts to escape from their environment," Smith says. "They may try to dig under fences, jump over barriers or squeeze through small gaps as a way to seek excitement or explore new surroundings."
How To Treat Chronic Boredom in Dogs
1. Screen Time
Screen time can be a source of angst and controversy among human parents. But experts suggest allowing your dog to binge-watch their favorite shows while you're out and about.
"Dog TV or videos can be left playing or programmed to play periodically, which will allow the dog to interact," Dr. Morgan says.
FYI, Dog TV is an actual channel with programming designed for fur kids.
2. Regular Exercise
Make sure your pet is getting plenty of exercise when you are around.
"Pump up the energy levels with regular exercise tailored to your dog's needs," Smith says. "A good game of fetch or a rousing session of zoomies in the backyard will leave them happily exhausted and their boredom in the dust."
Mix up your daily walks, too.
"Try to vary the routes you take on walks to give your dog new environments to explore," Dr. Butzer suggests.
3. Training Sessions
Training sessions aren't just about teaching a dog new tricks.
"[They] also provide mental stimulation," Dr. Butzer says. "Try to have short, regular training sessions with your dog, using positive reinforcement techniques."
4. Interactive Toys
The right toys can make a difference in keeping your dog entertained when you can't.
"Toys that require your dog to think or work for a reward can keep them entertained for hours," Dr. Butzer says. "Puzzle toys where they have to figure out how to get a treat or chew toys that satisfy their natural urge to chew can be great options."
Dr. Morgan advises parents to be mindful of giving dogs certain toys unsupervised.
"Dogs should not be left alone with long-lasting chews or small toys, as they can present a choking hazard," Dr. Morgan says.
5. Design an Environmental "Adventureland"
Turn your home into a canine carnival.
"Transform your dog's surroundings into an amusement park for their senses," Smith says. "Spice things up with new toys, rotating them like a DJ, and keep them guessing what delightful surprises await them each day."
This step can alleviate boredom or lack of engagement with toys.
6. Socialization
Dogs—like kids—benefit from playdates.
"Regular playdates with other dogs can provide both physical exercise and mental stimulation," Dr. Butzer says. "It can also help your dog learn important social skills."
7. Explore the World
You can't be with your dog all the time, but make the time you are together an adventure.
"Shake up the routine and take your furry explorer on exciting expeditions to new places, meeting new four-legged pals and sniffing all the fascinating scents the world has to offer," Smith says.
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