Recognizing that a dog is bored is not easy because he does not express his discomfort like a human. The diagnosis is all the more difficult to establish because not everyone behaves in the same way when they suffer from a lack of attention. But there are several sure signs by which you can understand that your dog is bored:
- Destruction of furniture, clothes, shoes, etc., to spend free time;
- Self-harm (such as excessive licking) or sudden uncleanliness, which is both a means of soothing and attracting attention;
- Excessive energy, which probably reflects a lack of activity and exercise;
- Eating disorders (gluttony, bulimia, pica), because eating helps overcome boredom;
- Excessive barking in everyday situations – passers-by, cars, etc. ;
- More demands for interaction – the animal follows family members like a tail in the hope of games and walks;
- Escape to find stimulation outside and/or companionship that is lacking at home.
Consequences of boredom
Many owners don’t really think about whether they’re providing enough companionship and entertainment for their companion and underestimate the detrimental effects that chronic boredom can cause. Indeed, this situation creates significant stress, which has consequences both psychologically and physically.
Most often, an emotional imbalance is observed, expressed by a decrease or, conversely, an aggravation of reactions to banal stimuli. For example, the animal may no longer be interested in walks or on the contrary jump as soon as someone approaches the front door. He is also more prone to often unpredictable mood swings. Then, if the situation does not change, the dog becomes apathetic or even amorphous, and its appetite decreases. Ultimately, there is a real risk that the dog will develop depression.
Besides the fact that no one can be happy that their companion is unhappy, letting them be bored is not the best calculation for themselves either. Indeed, a bored dog often exhibits very disturbing behaviors (uncleanliness, incessant barking, destruction), which are not very pleasant to live with, especially if they are repeated frequently.
In addition, they can have serious consequences that go far beyond simple discomfort. For example, constant barking will lead to problems with neighbors, eating disorders have consequences for the dog’s health and therefore result in potentially significant veterinary costs. And running away can become a source of accidents (fights with other animals, bite from a third party, collision with a vehicle).
My dog is bored: what not to do
It can be difficult to know how to handle a problem, especially when your pet’s destructive behavior irritates even the most patient people. However, some reactions are more likely to make the situation worse than to help resolve it. Here are some mistakes to avoid if you have a bored dog:
Don’t tell yourself that this is normal or that it will pass. It is often the case that over time, boredom leads to more serious behavior problems.
Don’t punish your dog when he does something stupid, because a negative reaction is better than no reaction at all. If she misbehaves and receives some attention (even if it is negative), she will most likely be tempted to do it later.
Don’t try to entertain yourself with food. Feeding your pet when it is bored instead of playing with it is not a solution, but on the contrary, can lead to long-term health problems (overweight, nutritional imbalance, etc.).
Spend more time walking
If your dog is full of energy, won’t sit still, or frequently asks for fresh air, his daily walks may simply not be long and/or numerous enough. A good solution would therefore be to offer more frequent and/or longer walks so that the dog can fully enjoy the joys of the great outdoors.
If you have a fairly busy schedule and it’s difficult to free up more time, ask other people – this could be a neighbor, family member, relative, dog sitter, etc.
Upgrade Toys
Dogs often have the same toys their entire lives. However, like children, their tastes can change throughout their lives. Don’t hesitate to buy new toys. Try different types, from squeakers and ropes to puzzles and food dispensers. You don’t have to buy a lot at once – sometimes a few new accessories that can be put away for a while are enough.
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