Can Dogs Feel Boredom?

As annoying, weird, or entertaining as some of these activities may be, they may actually be signs that your perfect little furball is bored! Dogs, just like humans, need both mental and physical stimulation in their lives. Imagine your pupper as a little kid - can you imagine having a toddler sit inside all day long, with a few breaks outside to pee, NOT being bored!? 

Same with your pup! If you're not home for your little fur-child to bug, then they're going to find something else, probably more mischievous, to get into! So yes, dogs, like humans, can definitely get bored. Luckily, just like us, there are things that we can do to prevent boredom in our little BFFs, and keep them happy, healthy, and out of the darn garbage!

Attention-Seeking Behaviors: Back to the toddlers - let's face it, a bored kid is simply going to be annoying. Same goes for your pup! If you're home, doggos that are bored are going to do what they can to get your attention and make you know it! These types of behaviors can include barking and whining (especially while staring at you, almost like they're asking you for something to do!), getting right up in your face to let you know that they're there, or other types of activities that let you know that they need some love. 

Destructive Activities: This will especially happen if you aren't home to keep an eye on your dog. Oftentimes, a bored dog is a destructive dog. This can include destructive behaviors that turn inward, like chewing on themselves, picking at scabs, or incessant scratching, and destructive behaviors that turn outward, like getting into the trash, digging, chewing furniture and shoes, and more. While a lot of times, these activities stink to clean up after, at the time, it seems like the only thing your pup can do to relieve the boredom!

Pestering: Cue "Velcro-Dog Syndrome". Again, this will only happen if you're home, and is similar to those attention-seeking behaviors we talked about earlier. Dogs that are bored will sometimes follow their owners around - sometimes everywhere! We have to remember that as our dogs' BFFs, we really are their main source of entertainment. If they're bored and following us around, it's because they know that the fun usually comes from us! It is important to remember, however, that "not all dogs who follow you around are doing so out of boredom." Some dogs are just super-attached to their owners! In order to differentiate between the two, just know your dog's normal behaviors.

Even after we domesticated them, many breeds were still put to work retrieving, herding, or guarding, and didn't have time to be bored. While they've had centuries to evolve into the loveable little guys that they are now, they still have many of the characteristics of their ancestors. 

As a result, many of our pups are built for interaction with other doggos, as well as the need to run around and "hunt." It's no surprise that our perfect pups get bored from time-to-time, especially when we're not home to provide entertainment. Historically, they just weren't built for the laid-back lives we give them now, so they need some stimulation to keep active!

For example, Golden Retrievers were built to, well, retrieve! German Shepherds were built for guarding, and Beagles were built for their hunting senses. As a result, many of our dogs today need stimulation that is breed specific. Alleviating boredom in your dog really does depend on their genetics - different dog breeds will simply have different psychological needs. 

Studies have shown that "some will become less active and some will become hyperactive when they need more excitement in their life", and all of this depends just on their genetic makeup. Basically, it pays to know what type of breed your dog is! The more you know, the easier you'll be able to keep your pup entertained!

First, you're going to want to take an honest look at your schedule. Is your pupper spending way too much time alone? Perhaps try adjusting things so you can pop in during the day, or look into hiring a dog-walker to make sure your mutt gets some outside time. 

Next, go through the area that your pooch spends their alone time. To stop destructive behavior, you may want to give crate training a try. If that is a no-go, ensure that the rooms your dog has access to are canine-proof. Definitely, keep your eye out for prized possessions or potentially harmful objects.

Finally, go to your favorite pet shop and ask about puzzle toys or safe chew treats. Make sure your pup gets a goodie each time you leave the house so that they start to associate this time as a positive thing.