7 Fun Tips to keep your dog from being bored when home alone
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What's Inside: Learn how to keep your dog from being bored when home alone with these 7 fun and easy tips every dog owner can do. A little secret…your dog will love them too.
Dog boredom, is that even a thing?
Yes, much like humans get bored, dogs do too. And too much boredom can lead to some undesirable behavior, destruction and even depression for your dog.
Before we get into how to keep your dog from being bored when home alone, let’s take a quick look at how to tell if your dog is bored.
5 Sure-Fire Signs Your Dog Is Bored When Home Alone
Looking for signs your dog is bored can be tricky if the boredom occurs more when he is left alone but here are some signs to watch for:
Digging Outside
If your dog has access to the yard while you are away and you notice he is digging that might be a sign he is bored.
Destructive Behavior Outside
Any destructive behavior, indoors or outdoor such as knocking over garbage cans or tearing up patio furniture cushions or chewing on things inside that he shouldn’t be chewing on could also be a message from your dog that they are bored.
Excessive Barking
Unusual or excessive barking while your dog is inside or out could be a sign of boredom. It might be hard to know if your dog is barking while you are away unless a neighbor complains or you have a doggie cam.
Sudden Destruction of Toys
If your dog has started destroying his toys and this is uncharacteristic that could be a sign your dog is bored.
Inconsistent Sleeping Patterns
When dogs are bored they could respond by sleeping more. This can interrupt their normal sleeping habits at the very least but it can also cause unwanted weight gain or even muscle loss. If you notice changes in your dogs sleeping patterns this can also be a sign your pup is bored.
Signs of being bored when you are home can include following you around everywhere, whining, pacing, panting, excessive licking and acting overly excited when you come home.
Dog Boredom or Separtion Anxiety?
Separation anxiety goes far beyond the little whimper or bark when you leave the house or even leave a room.
With genuine separation anxiety, a dog can’t stand to let you out of his sight even when you’re together in the home. You can barely move around the house without tripping over your beloved pooch and don’t even think about going to the bathroom without a pair of eyes watching your every move.
Boredom typically results in a little destruction and happens randomly, not just when you leave your dog alone.
To learn more about separation anxiety click here to check out our post, How To Know If Your Dog Has Separation Anxiety Or Is It Boredom?
