In addition to not wanting to possess a bored pup because of their tendency to become destructive when they’re not stimulated, I figure most folks, like myself, would feel like better as a pet parent knowing how to entertain their dog. I know I don’t particularly feel too great when I know my dog could be happier, and I sincerely hope the same for anyone out there who owns pets.
While it might be possible to engage with your pup 24/7, there are certainly things we can do as dog owners to ensure our pup is feeling engaged and stimulated even when we’re not present with them. Continuing our conversation from yesterday, the following information comes from chewy.com.
“6. Sniffing Safari (Sniffari)
“Go on a sniffing safari. Dogs explore through smell and love scent detection, known as nose work. On walks, let them sniff every tree, bush, and fire hydrant so they have time to check their ‘pee-mail.’
“Mix up smells by trying different routes. Use a long lead (one that’s over 6-foot in length, like this one from Petsafe) if it’s safe to do so to allow your dog to find new scents.
“7. Play Ball
“From tennis balls to squeaky balls to glow-in-the-dark balls, a game of fetch can be great physical exercise—a tired dog is not a bored dog. Try a ball launcher, like the ChuckIt! Classic Launcher, to really get your pooch moving. Some interactive balls keep your dog busy without you having to toss a ball around the yard.
“8. TV Time
“If your dog likes watching television, leaving the TV on can be a handy boredom buster. (Unless your dog jumps at the screen, barks excessively or howls.) There’s even a dog TV channel, but experts say to evaluate what appeals to your pooch.
“9. Flirt Pole
“A flirt pole is like a giant-sized cat teaser toy for dogs. The pole has a line connected to a dog toy or lure. Wave the pole around so your dog sees the lure, runs after it or plays tug-of-war. You can make your own DIY version of this using a pole, rope and a toy. The flirt poles could even come in handy to entertain your dog while you’re on that work call,” the web page states.
Check out the entire Chewy page, linked above, for specific products affiliated with each piece of advice.
ontheedgeofeverything 