Boredom Busters for Your Dog's Cabin Fever

It happens to the best of us and isn't choosey about who! 

Limited exposure to sunlight, more time indoors, and the same old routine will begin to wear on your best friend just as much as it does you. Some of us can manage it better than others, but cabin fever gets to us all at some point and that includes dogs. 

You might not notice the warning signs, the behavior that says, “I’m just not happy”, but it’s pretty hard to miss the effects of pent up energy and boredom:

• Barking
• Chewing (and not just their toys!)
• Depressed, hyperactive, or aggressive behavior
• Digging (and this doesn't just mean dirt!)
• Overeating or appetite changes
  
  

Stop Boredom Before It Starts!

Our dogs - if left to themselves - will engage in normal, natural activities that include chewing, tearing, chasing, digging, barking…by enriching their lives with physical and mental stimulation, we can redirect these behaviors in our homes and yards. Animal behaviorists admonish that prevention is the key, so here are some boredom blasters that will help pup and dog alike. 

1. Go Outside

Yes, it’s cold, yes, it’s winter, but natural sunlight and fresh air will do wonders for both your dog and you. Obviously, stay away from extreme temperatures, but a good romp in the snow, a brisk walk (see our article on protecting paw pads), or a good game of fetch will get blood moving and release pent up energy. 

2. Don't Just Play More - Play Smart

Playing with your dog doesn’t mean you have to wear yourself out or provide entertainment all day, every day - instead, here are some “smarter” ways to play and challenge your dog.

• Hide and Seek: this is excellent mental stimulation for your dog as well as a boredom buster. Choose a favorite toy, hide it around the room, and let your dog find it! For the first few tries, let them “see” you hide it and then gradually make it harder by having another member cover their eyes and hide it in more difficult places. Caution: this often has hilarious results! Remember to let your dog succeed! Put them in a position to win and please you. If you find your dog getting frustrated, it’s not a game anymore.
  
  
• Rotate Toys: this is a simple concept, but often overlooked. Even kids will tire of the same toys day in and day out. Don’t just give them a “new” version of their favorite toy, give them a different toy that looks and feels new to them. Some behaviorists suggest doing this daily. If you decide to do this, it could be as easy as having a small bin labeled with the "day". Each day, the toys are replaced by the corresponding bin's goodies. 
  
  
• Training Minute: “obedience training” is often misconstrued as long periods of time spent working on obedience concepts. This does not have to be so! Training bursts of even just one minute require a dog's attention and engages their mind. Don’t choose something hard or a concept you and your dog have been struggling with - your dog wants to please you, so set them up to succeed by choosing a command they can handle. Be creative! These training minutes do not have to be traditional - teach your dog to balance a treat on their nose! Training minutes can happen anywhere and anytime.
  
  
• Puzzle Toys: invest in a good Kong toy, these great toys serve as “puzzles”. By hiding treats or great tasting things like peanut butter inside, you’re providing stimulation for your dog. If you’re the DIY type, create your own “puzzle toy” out of PVC pipe. Check out this simple tutorial we found.
  
  
• Play-Date: know someone with another dog? Set-up a play-date where both dogs can interact and blow of some steam. (Just make sure everyone is up-to-date on vaccinations) Even better? Make it a block event! Let the dogs (and maybe even the neighborhood kids) wear themselves out for a while.
  
  

3. Grooming Session

Sometimes all your dog needs is a little TLC. Spend some time grooming - a fresh coat and a good stiff rubdown can be invigorating, not to mention the one-on-one time spent with you. :)

4. Change Your Routine

A common cause of cabin fever and boredom with dogs is repetitious routine and behavior. Change it up! While a routine is great and healthy for both you and your dog - switch it up a little. For example: take a different route on your walk, place the toys in a new area, do a spontaneous training minute...

Just keep in mind that routine is not the enemy, boredom is. Make small changes, don't try anything drastic that might cause stress instead of interest. You know your dog better than anyone else and you will be the best judge of what "busts up" their boredom. 

Life Enrichment

Maintaining an active and engaged lifestyle for your dog is important for both their well being and yours (not to mention the house and your favorite chair!). Using these simple, but effective tools, you can prevent boredom before it starts and ultimately encourage better behavior from your dog.

Our motto? "A tired puppy is a happy puppy" and this goes for adult dogs too!