How To Tell If Your Dog Is Bored

North America is the land of the free and home of the brave. However, with over 63 million households owning at least one dog, it’s also home to a big bunch of enthusiastic pet lovers and pet pooches!

And who can blame us?

Cute, playful, funny, and mischievous, it doesn’t take long for dogs to become treasured members of the family.

But there’s no denying it: looking after them can be a labor of love!

And one of the biggest jobs for any owner is finding ways to keep them entertained. After all, with oodles of energy and hours spent alone while we handle our everyday errands, dogs can soon become bored and unhappy.

If you’re wondering how to tell if your dog is bored, and want some effective ways to address the issue, then you’re in the right place.

In this article, we’ll go through an array of bored dog symptoms before highlighting some effective bored dog activities that work like a treat every time.

How to Tell If Your Dog Is Bored

Figuring out whether or not your pet pooch is bored can be easier said than done. Not only is it impossible to ask them, but the symptoms also tend to be different for every dog! Nevertheless, there are still some definite “tell-tale” signs that can help if you’re wondering how to tell if your dog is bored.

Here are the main ones:

1. Destructive Behavior

Do you ever return home after a long day’s work to half-eaten shoes, chewed furniture, scratched carpets… and a guilty-looking pup?

If so, there’s a good chance they’ve been bored!

This kind of destructive behavior is typical of dogs that haven’t had enough stimulation. Left to their own devices and desperate for something to do, they’ve done all the things dogs love and owners don’t! They’ve made their own fun; chewing, digging, and running around in a bid to release some pent-up energy.

2. Constant Barking

Excessive barking is another thing to take note of if you’re wondering how to tell if your dog is bored. Exactly like young children who want attention, they’ll do whatever it takes to get you to take notice of them!

Whether that’s yelping, yapping, groaning, or howling, they’re effectively telling you (in dog language) they want something to do. They may also whine pitifully at the door or when the doorbell rings. Many bored dogs will also become over-excited and jump up on visitors who come to the house.

It’s important to note that these behaviors are 100% normal in moderation. It’s when they become constant or ongoing that you should take note of.

3. Bored Habits

What’s the first thing you do when you’re bored at home? If you’re anything like us, then you’ll open the fridge or cookie jar to grab yourself a treat! You might not even be hungry, but you munch something sweet and delicious nonetheless.

Interestingly, humans aren’t the only ones to indulge in a spot of “bored chewing.”

Dogs do it too.

They might have been fed an hour earlier and have no track record of digging through the trash for scraps. Yet there they are, head in the trash can, jumping up on the counter, or sniffing the biscuit container to see what they can find.

4. Restlessness

If you’re still wondering how to tell if your dog is bored, then our final tip is to look out for general signs of restlessness. This can come in many forms!

Maybe your pooch starts pawing at your legs a lot, scratching at the door, or running around in a frenzied dash. They might try to escape from the backyard, dig under the fence, or scratch at the floor. Whatever the case, any suggestion of restlessness you pick up on is another of the most common bored dog symptoms.

Effective Bored Dog Activities

Now you know how to tell if your dog is bored, we thought we’d finish with a few bored dog activities you can use to solve the problem.

One of the best options is simple: give them lots of exercise, love, and attention!

A tired dog is almost always a happy dog, so walks around the park and games in the backyard always work well. Buying them fun toys, giving them chewy treats, and even turning on dog-friendly TV (yes, you read that correctly!) should also be effective.

And remember, always consult your dog’s vet if they continue to display unusual behaviors, bored dog symptoms, or if you’ve grown worried about them for any other reason.

Don’t Forget These Bored Dog Symptoms and Activities

Tens of millions of Americans are proud owners of a pet pooch nowadays. However, you can bet your bottom dollar that they all have something in common:

Sooner or later, they’ll need help keeping their faithful friend entertained!

If you’ve been wondering how to tell if your dog is bored and looking for solutions to the problem, then we hope this post has been useful. Keep these tell-tale signs and bored dog activities in mind and you’ll be one step closer to ensuring your pup never stays under-stimulated for long.