When humans get bored, we can easily fix it. We can go for a drive, pop in a movie, or play a game on our phones.
On the other hand, domestic dogs rely heavily on owners for entertainment. Although they might like to, they can’t take themselves for a walk, play fetch solo, or cook up dinner when they get hungry.
Yes! Bored dogs are understimulated and tend to seek stimulation in destructive ways. Your dog might be bored if they chew up furniture, make a mess, dig a hole, or bark excessively.
In this blog, I’ll share with you how to spot signs of dog boredom. I’ll also show you the best strategies to entertain your furry friend, such as giving them a bone, trying a puzzle, exercising, training, and more.
As a new puppy owner, I’ve asked myself this question countless times while watching my energetic furball bounce around the house: “Do I need to entertain my puppy all the time?” If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your puppy’s seemingly endless energy and need for attention, I’ve got good news – you don’t have to be your pup’s entertainment director 24/7!
Through my research and personal experience, I’ve discovered that while puppies definitely need stimulation and interaction, they also need to learn independence and self-entertainment skills. In this article, I’ll share practical strategies to keep your puppy happy and mentally stimulated without exhausting yourself in the process.
Understanding Puppy Boredom vs. Normal Behavior
Before diving into solutions, let’s understand what might be happening with your puppy. Dogs, just like humans, can experience boredom when understimulated. However, what looks like boredom might sometimes be normal puppy behavior or even separation anxiety.
Signs Your Puppy Might Be Bored:
- Destructive chewing (furniture, shoes, household items)
- Excessive barking or whining
- Restlessness or pacing
- Digging (indoors or outdoors)
- Attention-seeking behaviors
- Jumping excessively
- Not sleeping when they should be
Separation Anxiety vs. Boredom
It’s important to distinguish between boredom and separation anxiety as they require different approaches
Boredom: Typically caused by lack of stimulation and can be alleviated with proper enrichment activities. A bored dog might take a few hours of being alone before starting destructive behaviors.
Separation Anxiety: A more severe behavioral issue causing intense distress when left alone. Dogs with separation anxiety may show signs of distress immediately upon your departure and might need help from a behavior specialist.
The Truth About Entertaining Your Puppy
According to veterinary behaviorists and dog trainers, puppies need a balance of interaction with their owners and time to learn independent play. Here’s what the experts say:
“Providing your puppy with opportunities for play and mental stimulation is important for their overall well-being. However, it’s also important to teach them how to entertain themselves and enjoy some quiet time on their own.” – Dog Trainer
“Remember that puppies, like children, need a balance of playtime and rest. It’s okay to let them entertain themselves with a chew toy or a puzzle game while you take a break.” – Animal Behaviorist
7 Effective Strategies to Entertain Your Puppy (Without Going Crazy)
1. Provide Natural Chews and Bones
One of the most effective ways to keep your puppy occupied is with appropriate chewing options. Chewing is natural for dogs and provides multiple benefits:
- Releases endorphins through chewing and ripping
- Removes tartar and plaque from teeth
- Strengthens jaw muscles
- Keeps your puppy entertained for long periods
Great options include:
- Raw bones (uncooked, appropriate size for your dog)
- Beef trachea
- Bully sticks
- Himalayan cheese chews
- Lamb weasand twists
Safety tip: Always supervise your puppy with chews and bones, and choose options appropriate for their size and chewing style.
2. Use Puzzles and Interactive Toys
Mental stimulation can be just as tiring for puppies as physical exercise! Try these options:
- Puzzle boards with hidden treats
- Snuffle mats for scent work
- Slow-release treat dispensers
- DIY puzzles (like treats in an uncapped water bottle)
Rotate these toys regularly to keep things interesting for your puppy. For treats, try using something healthy and low-calorie like small pieces of freeze-dried lamb lung.
3. Provide Regular Exercise
A tired puppy is generally a well-behaved puppy! Different breeds have different exercise requirements, but most puppies benefit from:
- Daily walks (length appropriate for age and breed)
- Play sessions with appropriate toys
- “Sniff walks” where they can explore new scents at their own pace
Tip: If your puppy seems bored during walks, try changing your route! New environments provide fresh scents and sights to explore.
4. Training Sessions
Training isn’t just about teaching obedience – it’s also a great way to engage your puppy’s mind and build your bond. Try:
- Short, positive training sessions (5-15 minutes)
- Teaching new tricks regularly
- Reinforcing known behaviors
- Considering a puppy training class for socialization
Many puppies love training because it gives them a purpose and lets them earn rewards through mental effort.
5. Play Hide-and-Seek Games
Scent games like hide-and-seek tap into your puppy’s natural instincts and provide excellent mental stimulation:
- Show your puppy a treat or toy and let them smell it
- Ask them to “sit” and “stay”
- Hide the item somewhere in your home
- Release them with “find it!” or “go!”
- Celebrate when they discover the hidden treasure
Start with easy hiding spots and gradually increase difficulty as your puppy gets better at the game.
6. Provide Socialization Opportunities
Puppies benefit enormously from controlled socialization:
- Playdates with vaccinated, friendly dogs
- Visits to dog-friendly establishments
- Meeting new people in positive contexts
- Exploring different environments safely
These experiences help your puppy develop confidence and good manners while providing natural entertainment.
7. Create a Safe Space
When you can’t actively engage with your puppy, ensure they have a comfortable, safe area with:
- A comfortable bed or crate
- A few favorite toys
- Something that smells like you (a t-shirt works well)
- Appropriate chew items
This gives your puppy a secure place to rest or play independently when you need to focus on other tasks.
Finding the Right Balance
Remember that both you and your puppy are learning together. Finding the right balance between interaction and independence takes time and adjustment based on your puppy’s unique personality.
Most puppies need about 1-2 hours of dedicated attention daily, broken into several shorter sessions. The rest of the time, they should be learning to entertain themselves appropriately or resting.
When to Seek Help
If despite your best efforts, your puppy shows persistent signs of boredom or anxiety, consider consulting:
- Your veterinarian (to rule out medical issues)
- A certified dog trainer
- A veterinary behaviorist
These professionals can provide personalized guidance for your specific situation.
Final Thoughts
So, do you need to entertain your puppy all the time? Definitely not! In fact, teaching your puppy to enjoy independent play and rest periods is an important part of raising a well-adjusted dog.
By implementing the strategies above and finding the right balance for your puppy’s unique needs, you’ll help them grow into a confident, content adult dog who can both enjoy time with you and settle down when needed.
Remember, the goal isn’t to provide constant entertainment but to create a stimulating environment where your puppy can thrive – and where you can maintain your sanity as a puppy parent!
What strategies have worked best for keeping your puppy entertained? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments below!
Signs you have a bored dog
Every dog is different, so one dog’s boredom might look different than another’s. Another way to say “bored” is “understimulated.”
All dogs, no matter the breed, need daily stimulation of some kind to stay healthy. If they become too pent-up with energy, that positive energy can overflow into negative behaviors.
As pet parents, it’s our job to provide healthy energy outlets for our pets so they don’t seek out unhealthy entertainment.
Here are some of the tell-tale signs that your dog is understimulated and bored:
- Chewing, tearing, or shredding. A bored dog might destroy every toy, pillow, or piece of clothing in sight. Dogs naturally desire to chew, but they can take this out in an unhealthy way if they are understimulated.
- Digging. Digging is natural for dogs, but it can quickly turn destructive when they are bored. Digging inside can lead to torn-up doors or carpets; digging outside can result in ruined fences, walls, sprinklers, or unwanted holes.
- Excessively barking. All dogs bark (some more than others). Excessive barkers won’t stop vocalizing no matter how often they are told to stop. These dogs might even bark all day and disturb the neighbors.
- Eating non-edible objects. Bored dogs may begin eating non-edible items, like paper or stuffing from toys. Not only is this unwanted, but it can also be dangerous for your dog as it can lead to blockages or an upset stomach.
- Jumping. Constant, unwanted jumping is a sign that your dog has built up energy and is trying to get your attention. Although some may see this behavior as “cute,” it can lead to dangerous situations where a dog claws at a person or knocks them over.
- Not sleeping when they should be. Dogs naturally sleep many hours a day (especially if they are puppies or seniors). If you notice your dog can’t rest, is pacing, or can’t settle down, they might be bored. Please note, not sleeping could also be a sign of another medical condition, so don’t ignore it either way!.
The connection: dog breed, age, and boredom
While all dogs can become bored, it’s essential to consider your dog’s breed and age when understanding their stimulation requirements.
For example, my dog Lula is a mix of intelligent, hard-working, task-oriented breeds (Australian Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, German Shepherd, Husky, Malamute, Chow and Grey Wolf).
Lula’s exercise and stimulation requirements are much higher than those of a smaller dog like a Maltese. When I got Lula, I knew I would need to set aside more time and energy each day to ensure she doesn’t become restless.
Tip! High-energy dog breeds tend to have a higher stimulation requirement than others. Border Collies, Dalmatians, Greyhounds, Vizslas, Jack Russell Terriers, and Labrador Retrievers are just a few examples of dogs that need more daily entertainment than others to stay healthy.
Additionally, certain high-energy dog breeds are bred to perform a job, increasing their stimulation requirements. For example, some dogs are bred to be bird, herding, tracking, or guard dogs.
Finally, you must consider your dog’s age when calculating how much entertainment they need. Puppies and seniors sleep most of the day but still need walks or play time to avoid boredom.
All dogs, regardless of breed or age, can benefit from daily exercise or activities. Next, we’ll discuss specific strategies you can use to relieve your dog’s boredom.
The BEST WAY to PLAY With a PUPPY (5 Games for Puppies)
FAQ
Am I supposed to entertain my puppy all day?
A: Yes! You don’t want to constantly expose your dog to stimulation. They need plenty of time each day to rest and relax. In addition to healthy meals and daily exercise, about 15 minutes of a bonding enrichment activity would be healthy for most dogs. Of course, your dog might enjoy more time!
What is the 3 3 3 rule for puppies?
The “3-3-3 Rule” for puppies and rescue dogs is a guideline for their adjustment period to a new home: 3 days to decompress, 3 weeks to learn routines and build trust, and 3 months to feel completely comfortable and relaxed in their new environment. This rule emphasizes the need for patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement to help a new puppy or rescue dog settle into a successful long-term relationship with their new family.
Is it okay to not play with your puppy all the time?
Yes and no – don’t completely omit play it is needed for their health and wellbeing. But they need to learn to entertain themselves and to self-settle. Allocate a couple of play sessions a day, but on your terms and your schedule, to succumb to begging/whining. Let her tire herself and and just chill.
What is the 7 7 7 rule for puppies?
The 7-7-7 rule for puppy socialization is a guideline for exposing young puppies to a variety of experiences to build confidence and prevent fear or anxiety. By seven weeks of age, a puppy should have experienced at least seven different people, seven different locations, seven different types of toys, eaten from seven different food bowls, been on seven different types of surfaces, had seven different experiences, and been on at least seven short car rides. This early, positive exposure helps a puppy develop into a well-adjusted, adaptable adult dog.