Chewed shoes. Barking at nothing. Digging up your garden.
Sound familiar?
It’s easy to label these behaviours as naughty or “bad,” but more often than not, they all lead back to one thing, your dog is bored.
Dogs aren’t designed to lounge around all day, and more often than not dogs are left for long periods of time while owners work.
Most breeds were built to work, whether that’s herding, guarding, sniffing, or retrieving. So when there’s nothing to do, they find their own entertainment…
The good news? Boredom is totally fixable. You don’t need hours of free time or a giant garden, just a smarter daily routine. Here’s how:
Work Their Brain, Not Just Their Legs
A walk is great, but mental stimulation can be even more powerful. Training drills, scent games, problem-solving tasks. These challenge your dog to think, focus, and engage with you.
Even just 10 minutes a day of focused training through the Dogit app can leave your dog more fulfilled than a 45-minute walk. Tired brain = calm dog.
Try this:
- Teach a new trick
- Practise impulse control exercises (like “Leave it”)
- Scatter-feed or use a snuffle mat to make mealtimes interactive
You can download our app here.
Rotate their toys and give them interactive enrichment
Dogs can get bored of their toys in the same way we get bored of everyday activities. Instead of leaving every toy out all the time, try toy rotation.
Keep a stash out of sight and swap a few in every couple of days. It keeps things fresh and taps into their natural curiosity.
Puzzle toys and treat-dispensing games work even better for keeping your four-legged friends brain engaged rather than their usual stuffed toy, and here are three of our favourites:
- Snuffle Mats. Snuffle mats aren’t just about slowing down mealtimes, they turn eating into a game. Hide your dog’s treats or kibble in the folds, and let their nose do the work. It’s a simple way to tap into their natural sniffing instincts while giving their brain a solid workout.
- Puzzle Balls. Many dogs love chasing balls, but add treats into the mix, and you’ve got next-level enrichment. Puzzle balls dispense rewards as your dog rolls, nudges, and paws at them, keeping them physically active and mentally sharp.
- Interactive Slow Feeders. Interactive slow feeders combine puzzles with mealtime. Your dog has to solve a mini challenge to access their food, perfect for building patience, focus, and problem-solving skills.
Give Them a Job
Your dog doesn’t need to herd sheep to feel useful. Giving them small, structured tasks taps into their natural instincts and gives their day more meaning.
Use our app to guide them through jobs like:
- Fetch and deliver
- Practising stays while you prep their meals
- Building up focus during distractions
Unwanted behaviours usually aren’t your dog being difficult, they’re your dog communicating. When you meet their needs with consistency, stimulation, and structure, those “problems” start to disappear.
Ready to cut the boredom and build better habits? Download our app today for 7-day free trial.
