Boredom is a very common cause of a dog's behavior problems like digging, destructive chewing or excessive barking in dogs.
In many cases, a dog who digs, barks or chews shoes, furniture or other items, does so because it is bored. Therefore, pet owners must eliminate the dog's boredom in order to remedy behavior problems that are the result of mental boredom or pent-up energy.
Puppies, Energetic Dogs and Working Dog Breeds Are Prone to Boredom and Destructive Behavior
Many dogs are prone to developing behavior problems like excessive barking or destructive chewing habits.
Working dog breeds tend to be the most prone to developing destructive habits and problem dog behaviors due to boredom. Working dogs are bred to be adept at performing jobs and the act of working keeps the dog's mind stimulated.
Working dog breeds naturally seek a "job" and that mental stimulation that accompanies a job, and in cases where a working dog is not assigned a job from a human, the dog will appoint himself to a job like barking at anyone who walks by the house. Or the dog may chew all the shoes in the house. Or he may start digging a hole through the sheet rock of the living room wall. Chances are if the dog appoints himself to a job, it's not going to be a job that the dog owner appreciates.
Puppies and energetic dogs, including many terrier breeds, also tend to develop destructive chewing habits, excessive barking habits or other problems that result from boredom.
How to Stop a Dog's Destructive Chewing, Excessive Barking or Other Dog Behavior Problems Due to Boredom
There are a few keys to helping a dog overcome boredom. The primary method to helping a bored dog overcome problem behaviors like barking at people, chewing shoes or damaging furniture, walls, rugs and other items in the home involves stimulating the dog's mind and exercising the dog's body.
So how does a dog owner help cure a dog's boredom? Owners can combat dog boredom by hiring a dog walker, playing television shows for dogs and dog-friendly music, or by providing dog toys that are interactive or provide the dog with mental stimulation. Consider the following methods to help a bored dog.
Dog Walking, Runs or Games of Fetch to Eliminate Boredom in Dogs
Exercise is the single most effective way to help a dog overcome boredom. Simply stated, a dog who is sleeping or relaxing because he's physically tired isn't going to be chewing, barking or partaking in other destructive behaviors.
Exercise does not mean putting the dog out in the yard alone. Exercising a dog must be interactive in the form of a walk, run or a game of fetch. An interactive element to dog exercise helps to occupy the mind, which helps the dog overcome boredom both physically and mentally. So consider hiring a dog walker and schedule a couple extra dog walks, runs or rounds of fetch per day.
Play Pet Sitter DVDs, CDs, Pet Radio Stations or Animal Planet Shows for the Dog
Many dogs will actively watch television, particularly when animals are present. Leaving the television on for the dog, tuned to Animal Planet or a Pet Sitter DVD (containing images of dogs and animals and other images that are designed to capture the dog's attention) can effectively occupy the dog's mind.
Pet Sitter CDs are another good option; Pet Sitter CDs for dogs feature a combination of soothing music, stories, nature sounds and other sounds that can occupy the dog's mind. There's also some dog radio stations (usually web radio stations) that play programming that's appealing to pets.
Interactive Dog Toys As a Method to Help a Bored Dog
When leaving a dog home alone, a dog owner can provide some interactive dog toys. A treat-dispensing ball is one good option.
Chew toys for dogs can also give the dog a "job" that he will enjoy when home alone. Kong dog toys are a great choice as Kong toys are durable and safe. Many Kong toys for dogs have a hollow center that can be filled with peanut butter or cream cheese for added interest.
Play Hide and Seek With Dog Treats to Create a Doggy Scavenger Hunt
Give the dog a job: find all the hidden dog treats. As the dog owner is preparing to leave the house, they can put the dog out in the yard or in a bathroom or other location where he cannot see the owner's actions. The dog owner can then hide a couple dozen dog treats in various locations throughout the house that will be accessible to the dog during the day.
Dog owners should be sure to switch up the hiding spots and also use caution to place the treats in places where the dog can safely acces. The dog can then occupy his mind, searching for the dog treats.
Doggy Daycare as a Method to Solve Boredom and Behaviors Like Barking, Destructive Chewing
Once or twice a week, a trip to the doggy daycare center can provide great mental stimulation for a dog that's prone to boredom. Some dog daycare centers even offer dog pick-up and drop-off services, making a half-day visit to the doggy daycare center an affordable and effective way to eliminate boredom in a dog.
A visit from a dog walker is another great option; a dog walker could also be hired to play a rigorous game of fetch with a dog once or twice a day, helping to exercise the dog's body and entertain the mind.
More Help for Dog Barking Problems and Dog Training Problems
Dog owners who are looking for a barking deterrent method may also enjoy How Do I Get My Dog to Stop Barking?
For more tips and information on dog training problems and dog barking problems, check out Dog Training Tips from The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan and Why Does My Dog Hate the Mailman?
Mia Carter - Mia Carter - Journalist, Producer/Editor & Web Writer. Carter's work has appeared on CBS and CNN.com.
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