Is my dog bored?

From chewing the furniture to barking all day, boredom in dogs can cause potentially problematic behaviour. That’s because if dogs don’t have enough mental stimulation, they can end up finding ways to keep themselves occupied. Unfortunately, this often involves behaviour you’d rather avoid.

If you’re worried that your dog is bored, the first step is to work out why, before offering some fun enrichment activities to make sure your dog gets all the mental stimulation they need.

Yes, dogs can definitely get bored. The reason for this can vary but it usually falls into one of three categories:

• Lack of physical exercise
• Lack of mental stimulation
• Lack of social interaction with other dogs and people

Some dogs might become bored because they only get two quick walks per day. Others might become bored because they spend most of their day at home without any company or interaction from other pets or people. Over time, this boredom can start to create issues.

Some telltale signs that can indicate your dog is bored include:

• Excessive barking or howling
• Destructive behaviours such as chewing furniture or digging
• Restlessness
• Pawing or jumping up

Some of these signs can also indicate other problems such as separation anxiety or pain that may require vet treatment. If you’re concerned your dog might be bored, it’s always worth getting the all-clear from your vet before exploring ways to keep your dog entertained.