Categories: Paw Prints

Canine Behavior Tips: Alleviating Boredom

By Kong Company Staff

A bored dog will always find something to do. Sometimes, that something is unwanted behavior such as digging, chewing on furniture or barking. Luckily, there are plenty of simple boredom-alleviating strategies you can share with clients to help keep dogs happy, healthy and busy. Combining the lure of a snack with an activity that satisfies dogs’ instinctive needs helps keep them busy, such as providing them with a food-stuffed toy. And, by frequently changing what they but inside the toy, their dogs will be continually surprised and delighted by what they discover. There are many stuffing recipes on Kong’s website. Pick your favorite and share it with your clients via email or on social media. The website also has many recipe videos you can post.

You can also help your clients prevent canine boredom by having them plan ahead. They can stuff a few toys at the same time and then store them in the freezer. Frozen toys provide even longer bouts of instinct-satisfying fun. Keeping a few ready for when their dog starts looking for something to do, makes things easy as they only need to open the freezer door when boredom hits. Sniffing out treats then figuring out how to extract them from inside toys satisfies dogs’ natural hunting instincts. Your clients could hide their dog’s favorite toys and treats throughout their home, and then let him hunt for them down and enjoy. Don’t forget to remind them that their dog should not see them hide the toys and treats before starting a game of Find-it.

Dog owners also have an unlimited supply of something that can prevent canine boredom: water. Freezing treats within ice cubes and larger ice blocks is a fun activity for dogs. Plus, it helps keep them hydrated. Many dogs are thrilled with plain ice cubes, but adding kibble or treats to them makes the activity even more enticing and fun. Owners could even make a giant Kongsicle by placing a stuffed Kong in a water-filled storage container and freezing it (image right). This can keep dogs busy for hours. Remind pet owners who try this indoors to leave a towel or mat beneath the frozen puzzles to contain the melting water.

Another easy way your clients can keep things interesting for their dogs—without spending any money—is strategically parceling out their toys. Just as with people, many dogs enjoy variety. Providing just one or two toys at a time instead of having access to the entire collection helps keep dogs interested them. Toys that are not in use can be kept in a bin or basket so they are out of sight and smell. When it’s time to swap out toys and the dogs can select which one they want to play with next, adding another level of excitement to playtime.

Giving your clients with boredom-prevention strategies such as these not only helps them strengthen their bond with their dogs, it also helps reinforce their relationship with you as their go-to pet expert.