Dogs thrive on routine, but sometimes too much routine can put you and your dog in a rut. If every day looks exactly the same, your dog may need a little more mental stimulation and variety to feel satisfied.
Signs of boredom can include excessive barking, chewing, digging, attention-seeking, pacing, or getting into things they normally wouldn't. Some dogs may simply seem restless or less engaged.
The good news? You don't need to completely overhaul your life to give your dog something new to do!
Try a new activity
Take a different walking route (even just changing which direction you start your normal route is great), visit a new dog-friendly shop or trail, or let your dog spend extra time sniffing and exploring instead of focusing on how far you walk.
Work their brain
Puzzle toys, scent games, trick training, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek can turn an ordinary day into an enrichment day.
You can do something like taking an ordinary treat and hide it in your house or yard and let your dog sniff it out. A few reps of this and your dog will be feeling mentally stimulated and happy!
Try dog sports
Agility, Rally-O, Scent Work, Barn Hunt, FastCAT, Dock Diving, Tricks, and many other sports give dogs a chance to learn new skills while working alongside their person.
Not sure where to start? Contact your local sports dog trainer for more info. Pups on Cape, we recommend Joseph’s Obedience School and Tail Waggin’ Dog Training.
Change up their routine
You don't have to do something exciting every day. Even adding one new experience each week can give your dog something different to look forward to.
And remember, enrichment doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. A cardboard box to shred, a new trick to learn, or a walk somewhere you've never been can be enough to break up the routine.
If your dog seems bored, ask yourself: When was the last time we tried something completely new together?
