- Bored dogs will usually find ways to entertain themselves, from digging to tearing out the trash.
- Rotating toys, training your dog, and adding more exercise and playtime can all help curb boredom.
Do you often return home to find that your dog shredded your favorite blanket into confetti or transformed your backyard into a meteor crater?
According to experts, your dog probably isn't just making mischief. Instead, they may just be bored.
A lot of dogs will express boredom by finding ways to entertain themselves, says Beth Brown, certified professional dog trainer, certified dog behavior consultant, and owner of Ear to Tail.
However, you and your dog may have different ideas about what constitutes entertainment — for instance, they may consider deconstructing your kid's stuffed animals a perfectly valid activity.
To help protect your belongings, discover three signs of boredom in dogs below, plus a few tips for keeping your best friend feeling stimulated.
How to tell if your dog is bored
"It's not always easy to tell if a dog is bored," says Dr. Kelly Diehl, veterinarian, board-certified small animal internal medicine specialist, and senior director of science at Morris Animal Foundation.
But, in general, a few signs your dog might need more stimulation include:
- Destroying things: "Destructive behavior can be one sign that your dog needs some more mental stimulation," Diehl says. They may chew your furniture, root through your trash, or lay waste to your favorite shoes.
- Digging: Some dogs may dig when they're bored, especially if they have an instinctive drive for this behavior. For example, terrier breeds — like West Highland, Cairn, or Scottish terriers — were originally bred to dig out mice and rats.
- Barking or jumping: Some dogs are naturally talkative, but if your dog feels bored, they may bark excessively or jump on you to try and grab your attention.
What to do about dog boredom
If you're feeling frazzled by a restless dog, here's the good news: According to Brown, bored dogs are easy to entertain — provided you're willing to use your imagination.
Some dogs may have different preferences and needs. But general boredom-fighting methods to keep your dog stimulated include:
1. Upping their exercise
"Some dogs just need good old-fashioned activity to keep them happy," Diehl says.
Beyond regular walks, you can help your dog get more activity and stimulation by:
- Playing fetch: If your dog is a retrieving breed, they might prefer a hearty game of fetch. If they're home alone, a ball launcher could help them play while you're away.
- Pulling: Do you have a dog who loves to run? Consider wearing roller skates and letting your dog pull you along — just don't forget your helmet and knee pads. You can even get them a weighted cart to pull.
- Dog sports: "Some dogs love to participate in obedience and agility activities," Diehl says. Flyball, dock diving, or running agility courses could all give a rambunctious dog a challenge — and help you strengthen your bond with them at the same time.
Note: Different breeds also have different exercise requirements. For example, small dogs like Chihuahuas may be content with a single short walk. But other breeds, like Siberian huskies, may need nearly 70 minutes of physical activity every day.
2. Offering mental stimulation
On the other hand, some dogs might need more mental stimulation to keep them content — particularly if they spend a large portion of the day alone.
A few activities that can help satisfy your dog's need for mental stimulation include:
- Interactive toys: Puzzle toys with food or treats hidden inside, like a Kong, could keep your dog occupied while you're away. You could toss a few on the floor or inside your dog's crate before heading out.
- Dog TV: You're not the only one who enjoys watching TV. Some dogs might enjoy watching dog shows especially made for them. But try doing a trial run first before you leave, just to make sure your dog finds it interesting, Brown suggests.
- Training: Teaching them new tricks or commands could be a fun way to keep your dog's mind active when you're home together. As a bonus, it may also give you plenty of cute moments for TikTok.
Note: Don't just count on interactive toys to keep your dog busy. You should still play with them yourself every day to strengthen your bond, Diehl says.
3. Getting a sitter or dog walker
Most adult dogs can handle six to eight hours alone in the house or in a crate, provided that they have ample entertainment, Brown says.
However, if you've already tried leaving out toys and still return to a house in mayhem, you might consider hiring a dog walker to get your dog out of the house for a while. Alternatively, your dog might prefer staying at a doggie daycare, where they can play with other dogs or the dog sitters.
Is it boredom or separation anxiety?
Sometimes, it might be tough to distinguish run-of-the-mill boredom from other behavioral issues, like separation anxiety. After all, bored dogs and anxious dogs often resort to similar behavior, from destroying things to excessive barking.
According to Brown, you may be able to tell the difference by assessing your dog's behavior when you come home. For example, did you come home to a dog contentedly playing with their mess, or a dog that frantically greets you after spending the afternoon scratching at the door?
A bored dog will typically make their own fun and relax, but a dog with separation anxiety will likely stay anxious until you return, Brown says.
When in doubt, working with a vet or dog behavioral specialist could help you figure out what's bothering your dog and how to help ease their distress.
Insider's takeaway
Your dog can feel bored or restless, just like you do. But while you might find entertainment in your favorite HBO series or a good book, your dog might prefer to turn the contents of your laundry basket into chew toys.
You can help alleviate boredom by giving your dog plenty of exercise, leaving out toys to keep their minds busy, or taking them to doggy daycare to play while you're away.
Just keep in mind that behavioral symptoms of boredom may overlap with separation anxiety. A trip to a dog trainer or pet behavioral specialist could help you get to the bottom of your dog's destructive behavior — and maybe keep your favorite underwear safe for another day.