A bored dog will not be a happy dog.
They will become naughty, destructive and sad.
It is important, therefore, to entertain your dog while you’re at work or going to be away from home for an extended period of time.
Here are a few simple ways in which to keep your dog entertained which will give you peace of mind that he is having a more enjoyable time and stop you worrying about what he may be chewing up!
Give your dog a block of ice to play with
Place your dog’s treats or some suitable food in an ice-cream container, fill with water, and freeze. Alternatively, freeze a toy like a knotted rope in some water. As the ice melts, toys and treats become available for your dog.
Kong is king
Stuff a kong with peanut butter and leave it out for your dog. Most dogs love the smell and taste of peanut butter and can take hours finding every last dollop in a kong. For a more time-consuming use of your kong, mix up a concoction of kibble and wet dog food and put that inside, and place the kong in the freezer overnight. Before you leave for work, put it out for the dog and allow him to eat his meal slowly while he works on getting the food out as it thaws.
Petcube
Described as a ‘saviour for lonely pets’, the Petcube is a fabulous new pet camera that allows you to interact, talk and play with your pet while you are away. Their technology includes a two-way audio stream through a built-in microphone and speaker, and a laser pointer for entertainment. Whether you’re dealing with dog separation anxiety or destructive chewing behaviour, Petcube pet camera devices can help you take corrective measures to calm and redirect your pet’s energies.
To learn more about Petcube, visit their website at www.petcube.com
Soothing Sounds
Soothing music and sounds can have a calming effect on your dog. Why does sound have such an effect? Sound healers have studied the therapeutic nature of sound through the years. They have discovered that by adjusting the different relationships between tone, tempo and pattern, one can alter breathe, heart rate, and brain waves.
To learn more about sound therapy and calming music for dogs, please visit www.icalmpet.com
Dog TV
Dog TV is a TV channel purpose-built for dogs to watch while their owners are out. The footage is simply that of a dog performing tricks, running about or playing catch. The American channel even lets you customise the footage to show the same breed of pup!
Alternatively, you could turn on your TV to the Animal Planet Station and up the volume. The sights and sounds of barking dogs and mewing cats help to stimulate your dog’s brain in a quiet house, keeping him from finding ways to get in trouble.
Puzzle Toys
It is important to keep your dog stimulated, especially if he is left alone for many hours. Keeping your dog sharp can extend his life by fighting canine cognitive dysfunction. Brain teasers give dogs the opportunity to problem solve and use some of the functions that they don’t ordinarily use in their brains.
Clever dogs may enjoy a straight-up puzzle. An interactive toy like the shuffle bone dog puzzle takes a little training for some pups, but it is a lot of fun once they get it down. Hide dog food under the slides for a quick game of “Where’s the Scooby Snack?”
For more toys like this, check out the great Swedish puzzle toy line by Nina Ottosson.
Self-Fetching Toys
These days, technology is making not just our lives better, but our dog’s lives too!
With new toys like the ifetch, your dog can play fetch all by themselves which will keep them busy for hours! Most importantly, your pet will be getting exercise even while you are away!
Busy Bucket
Other than commercially made dog toys, you can make a “Busy Bucket” for your dog. To create these homemade time-consumers, take a sturdy plastic or aluminium pail and throw some treats at the bottom. After the treats, put one of your dog’s favourite toys in the pail then fill the surrounding space with a hand towel.
Provide ways your dog can look through a window or door
Open the curtains or blinds to a back window in your home so that your pooch can watch whatever is going on outside your back door. If you have a small dog or a toy breed, set a cushion or chair by the window so that your pup is comfortably able to see out.
Introduce a new toy
A new toy can add some excitement during the day while your dog is home alone. A tough chew toy that can’t be torn apart while you’re gone is best, just in case your dog likes to gobble things up. Also, rotate the toys… after a day or two, put one toy away so it’s out of sight and mind, and bring out another to replace it. This will keep all of your pet’s toys fresh and exciting.
TOP TIP
Run off that Energy!
Increase the amount of exercise your dog gets, especially before you leave.
Many owners who take their dogs for a long, brisk walk first thing in the morning notice a significant decrease in their dog’s destructive habits.