Remember that healthy puppies have only two speeds: sleep and GO-GO-GO, and they do not come with an off-switch. When your puppy becomes bored from not enough attention, toys, or interaction he can become frustrated and act out in inappropriate ways. Problem behaviors that get practiced become ingrained and can be more difficult to stop, so it’s important that puppies be given lots of opportunity to express themselves in positive ways.
A puppy introduced into a multi-dog household has the advantage of having playmates. Of course, bored youngsters also may pester the older dog to death. For singleton pups, keeping him entertained falls to the humans in the house. This not only keeps the puppy physically active and healthy, but also engages the brain in productive ways through training and play activities. Puppies otherwise become little furry lumps that vegetate, or turn their attention to herding the cat and swiping laundry. Most dogs what a job to do and are happiest when they’re busy. It’s up to you to find “legal” things for your pup to stay busy.
A large percentage of “bad” behaviors result from boredom. Puppies that are bored when left alone in a fenced yard, for example, may turn to barking just to hear the sound of their voice. Others decide to dig their way out of the backyard enclosure to seek more exciting things to do. Puppies often chew out of boredom and that especially can get them into trouble when they don’t have access to enough of the “right” types of chew objects. Use the following tips to keep your bored canine engaged in more productive endeavors.
How To Relieve Puppy Boredom
- Puppies get bored with the same old toy day after day. Be sure your pets have several toys—3 to 4 minimum per pet isn’t a bad rule of paw, so they don’t need to argue over them. For a single puppy, 8 to 10 is a better number.
- Rotate toys to keep them fresh. Set up a schedule and swap out the toys every two or three days.
- Offer puzzle toys like the Orbee Tuff Mazee that engages the puppy’s attention for long periods. The toys that have places to hide treats are big favorites. You can rotate the kind of treat for even more boredom relief. Peanut butter, liverwurst, cream cheese and commercial treats all work.
- Provide chew opportunities as well. Teething puppies need something to gnaw to relieve tender gums, but any age dog chews to relieve stress and boredom. Rawhide chews, dental chews and other canine safe chew-options like sterilized bones (if your veterinarian approves!) may offer a legal outlet.
- Terriers love to kick up dirt. Without a legal outlet the bored terrier may un-plant your potted palm and turn the back yard into a moon scape. Offer a sand box and hide some favorite toys for your pup’s excavating pleasure. If he has a legal place to dig, he’ll be less likely to try to escape the fence seeking excitement.
- Some dogs enjoy hearing music or watching video that relieves boredom. Tune the TV to an animal program for the pup to enjoy squirrel antics when you must go out. Caged pocket pets like hamsters or mice, fish and birds also may be fun viewing for the bored puppy. Just be sure the smaller critters are safe and not stressed by the staring, yearning attention of your puppy.
- Nose work can also keep your bored puppy out of trouble. Sniffing out rewards engages the pup’s senses, his brain, and puts his paws to work as well. Create a canine treasure hunt while leaving Hansel and Gretel smelly crumbs to follow in order to find the reward. Hide stuffed Kongs or dry dog biscuits around the house (or yard) before you leave for the day. Be sure to pick them up to avoid bugs finding them if the puppy fails the sniff test, though. The first time, show puppy where you hid the treats, but after that, noses will do the rest. This works particularly well with hunting dogs such as Golden retrievers and Labradors.
- It’s best to separate new pups from the adults until you’re sure everyone gets along well. But being alone can lead to puppy wails howls. If that’s the case, a baby gate can keep the pets safely separated but allow them to see each other and not feel so lonely and bored. That also cuts down on howling, scratching or digging at the door.