There are plenty of fun and safe options to ensure your dog is getting mental stimulation, exercise, and a healthy dose of novelty. It is up to you to provide this – dogs often will not self-exercise, they certainly don’t self-train, and they can get bored. Here are a few ways to help ward of canine boredom.
Enrichment: Dogs need enrichment, so be sure to provide novelty for your dog.
- Sign up for a group class together
- Get into a dog sport
- Teach your dog the name of a specific toy
- Teach a new cue or trick
- Go to a new place together
- Get a long line and explore the outdoors *follow local leash laws
- Go for a slow-paced walk and let the dog sniff
- Dog puzzles, stuffed Kongs, bones/antlers/hooves, etc. *always supervise
- Get cheap toys your dog can destroy if they want while you supervise
- Get creative and make an obstacle course
- Play the muffin tin game (treats and/or kibble at bottom of tin with toys covering them) – this provides mental and tactile stimulation
- Actively play with your dog – get your body moving!
- Have a play date with a dog buddy that your dog gets along with
- Set up a baby pool that you toss toys into for your dog to fetch
Exercise: A good exercise session can get excess energy out. Each dog will vary in terms of what is needed and beneficial. Don’t exercise your dog to the point of overarousal!
- A fast paced walk – always do a warm-up before exercise or active training
- A jog or run if your dog enjoys this – be mindful you don’t overdo it and opt for natural earth rather can concrete
- If you have stairs, utilize them by going up and down to get a cardio workout (only if your dog is in good physical health and the vet gives the go ahead)
- Play games of fetch, tug of war (so long as the dog obeys the rules of tug), hide and seek, or the “find it” game
- Use training sessions to exercise a dog physically and mentally – keep them on their toes by asking for known cues in a random series or doing rounds of Puppy Push-ups
- Recall practice and Puppy Ping Pong can be excellent ways to reinforce your recall while getting your dog some exercise
- Training walks – take the show on the road and work your dog’s mind and body
Helpful tips:
- Cycle toys out to cut down on the chances of the dog getting bored – this not only helps toys last longer but can help you determine what toys your dog likes best
- Use feeding time to train by asking for known cues and rewarding with food
- Don’t be a weekend warrior and have your dog go hard on the weekends but be lazy during the week. As with humans that forgo exercise and then go too hard on the weekends, this can lead to injury.