Just like humans, dogs can get bored. You know physical exercise is really important for your dog, but so is mental stimulation. There are some things you can do throughout the day that help keep your dog stimulated and eliminate boredom. Here’s how to keep your dog from getting bored:

Signs of Boredom

It’s important to be able to recognize signs of boredom in your dog. Boredom isn’t just tiredness. Dogs who are bored will create their own fun. This usually leads to some sort of destruction. They might unroll the toilet paper rolls, chew on furniture, or dig holes in your yard. While digging is a common dog behavior, it can mean your dog is bored.

If your dog is constantly begging for your attention when you’re home, this could also be another sign of boredom. However, it’s important to be able to differentiate between separation anxiety and boredom. If you’ve ruled out separation anxiety, there are ways to help your dog banish their boredom.

5 Ways to Keep Your Dog From Getting Bored

Here are a few ways to keep your dog from getting bored:

1. Play Games

There are plenty of games that encourage mental stimulation for your dog. And, there are several options for inside or outside. So, you can still do some fun activities with your dog even if the weather outside doesn’t allow for it.

Indoor Scent Games

There are a variety of indoor scent games to try with your dog. Letting your dog sniff is important and these scent games can encourage them to work their nose.

A common indoor scent game is muffin tin puzzles. You place treats in the bottom of a muffin tin and cover it with tennis balls. Your dog must use their nose to sniff out where the treats are. This is an easily customizable game for your dog to try.

Outdoor Games

If the weather outside is nice enough for you and your dog, there are plenty of outdoor games to play with your dog. From frisbee and fetch to water, bubbles, and more, there are plenty of options to get your dog playing and thinking while outside.

2. Offer Puzzle Toys

While it’s important for your dog to have a few toys as comfort objects, puzzle toys are also important. Look for toys that have hidden flaps for squeakers. There are toys that have flaps your dog must lift to reveal treats.

Another toy to try is a snuffle mat. These mats have flaps and loops that hide kibble or treats. Be sure to have a few toys to rotate through. Your dog may get bored with the same toy so it’s important to have a couple of types of toys that allow you to rotate in “something new” every few days.

3. Work on Training and Obedience

Even if your dog is trained, it’s still important to keep working with them. Thinking that just because your dog has been trained once means you don’t need to work on skills again is a common dog training myth.

Plus, training and obedience are great mental stimulators for your dog. You can choose to compete in obedience competitions or you can simply work on commands with your dog at home.

You can also try trick training. There are endless tricks and behaviors to teach your dog. Make sure these tricks align with your dog’s size and personality. It can be fun to teach a large breed dog to sit in a box or teach a smaller breed to jump over things, but only if it works well with their physical capabilities and temperaments.

4. Participate in Dog Sports

There are plenty of fun dog sports for your dog to try. Agility, rally, obedience, dock diving, and flyball are just a few of the popular options available. Not only can competition be thrilling for your dog, but the practice will give them great physical exercise and plenty of mental stimulation.

It’s also a great place for your dog to socialize with other dogs and humans. Flyball consists of dogs on a team together so this is a great place for your dog to make new furry friends.

5. Socialize Them

Socialization is incredibly important for dogs. A dog that isn’t properly socialized will struggle with anxiety and may become reactive. Introducing your dogs to new places and people is a great way to socialize with them. If your dog is shy, you can start with more familiar environments, introduce them slowly, and use other tips to help your shy dog interact with people and other dogs.

Consider taking walks where you know you’ll run into other dogs and their owners. Be open to meeting some new people along the way. You can also set up playdates with friends or acquaintances you know who have dogs. Be sure to make sure your dog is equally matched. If your dog is more energetic, don’t pair them up with a timid dog or vice versa.

Dog parks are also a great way to meet new dogs and people. This is a place where your dog can run off-leash and play with other dogs. Make sure you keep an eye on your dog at all times in case of any incidents and follow other dog park etiquette tips.

These are just a few ways to keep your dog from getting bored, and many of them can help keep your dog active in the winter too. Remember, your dog needs plenty of mental stimulation along with physical exercise. Introducing some of these activities will give your dog something to do and also have fun.