10 Ways to Relieve Your Puppy’s Boredom

November 8, 2021

Has your puppy ever barked at you non-stop for no reason at all? Do you often come home to a house in shambles? Is your furry friend chewing on the furniture again? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then your puppy may be bored.

Like humans, puppies are active and require stimulus through play and other activities. Take this away and your fur-baby will have nothing to do. While some pups may stay put or fall asleep, many other pups will look for creative ways to entertain themselves, which will likely not leave you a happy camper.

In this blog, we’ll explore key signs that your puppy is bored and how you can entertain them.

What are signs that your puppy is bored? 

Most dogs make it obvious when they’re bored out of their minds. They may whine, bark, or go full rebel by destroying furniture and other items in your house. If you aren’t sure whether your puppy is bored, here are a few signs to watch out for:

Destructive behavior.

Biting, barking, chewing, looking into the trash, digging—all of these activities are a tell-tale sign that your fur-baby is bored. He or she may bark non-stop at passersby through the window. They may rip their new toys to shreds or dig an imaginary hole on the floor.

Your puppy might also nip or bite at you as a way to gain your undivided attention. Some pups may even bite or chew on their paws, just to have something to do. These types of destructive behaviors may lead to damage to your property or your pup unintentionally hurting themselves.

Forcing playtime.

A bored puppy may entertain themselves by jumping, biting, or attacking other dogs in an attempt to initiate playtime. Unfortunately, these tactics may annoy the other dog, which can quickly turn innocent playtime into a full-on fight.

Attention seeking.

If your furry friend has ever barked at you, sat on your lap, or forced you to look at them, then they were trying to tell you something—“I’m bored. Play with me!” 

They may even try to look cute by chasing their tail, just so that you can look at them. Some puppies may also follow you around while whining for no reason at all. While this may be a sign that they’re in pain or fear, this may also indicate stress and/or boredom.

Escaping the yard.

It’s easy to think that your backyard is some sort of playground paradise for your little fur-baby. But, most of the time, it’s just that—a backyard. And it may quickly become boring for your energetic furball. 

In general, you should never leave your furry companion alone in your backyard for numerous reasons. A potential escape from the yard is one of them. 

Your pup, in its boredom, may begin digging a hole under a fence or bush that’s big enough to go through, prompting them to escape into the neighborhood. Check out our 8 Tips for Puppy-Proofing your Backyard to keep your yard and puppy safe.

Pacing.

Have you ever heard of “zoomies”? You know, those moments when your pup starts running all over your living room or your whole house without stopping? 

Since your furry companion is full of energy, they may experience “zoomies” as a way to expel that excess energy. If your puppy does this often or paces around the room, it may mean they are bored and are looking for something to do.

How do you relieve your puppy’s boredom?

It’s important that your pup has a physical and/or mental outlet to release all that balled-up energy. By giving them something to do, it will prevent any unwanted situations or bad behavior. Fortunately, there are different ways to keep your pup entertained and active in a healthy way. Some of these include:

1. Exercise. 

Keeping your fur-baby physically active through exercise will help them stay in shape as well as release all their energy. You may choose to take them out for a walk or go for a run. 

You may also play fetch with them or even take the opportunity to train—the latter forces them to use their brainpower. All of these activities will definitely leave your furball tired enough to head off for a nap afterward than chew off your furniture.

2. Kong toys.

Kong toys, puzzle games, and other puppy products give your fur-baby sufficient physical and mental stimulation. The way it works is your fur-baby has to roll the toy around to get food or treats stored inside. 

If your puppy figures out how to get enough pieces out, you can try freezing the food before stuffing it into the toy to make it more challenging. While it may not be a strenuous activity, it will help keep your puppy occupied for a few hours. 

For 5 great toys for your puppy, check out our blog: 5 Must-Have Puppy Toys. 

3. Play games.

If you want to have some fun with your pup, try playing a game with them. Puppies are always up for an exciting game. Try playing fetch (this counts as exercise) or tug-of-war (this provides both mental and physical stimulation). Improvise your own game, like a scavenger hunt with their treats or their Kong toys. Teach them the rules of your improvised game first so they can get the hang of it. Either way, your pup will never feel bored.

4. Dog park.

Take your pup to a dog park so they can make furry friends of their own! It’s both a great way to socialize your fur-baby with other pups and people and relieve boredom. Make sure that your fur-baby is friendly and comfortable with going outside and interacting with others. It may take a few tries before your puppy is willing to go out in the open and socialize—just like some humans.

5. Chores.

Have your pup help you with some chores around the house or your daily routine. For example, your pup can easily grab its own leash and bring it to you once it learns what “time for a walk” means. 

Some puppies can be taught to assist with laundry chores or even put their toys away after playtime is over. It will require some training beforehand but with enough practice, your furball can keep active while also providing you with some house help.  

6. Training.

Teaching your puppy new tricks is a cinch! Because they’re young and energetic, your puppy is more than willing to learn anything you teach them. Like exercise, just training your puppy in 10-minute sessions helps give your puppy enough mental stimulation to burn off all their pent-up energy. Teach your puppy commands that teach them how to control their impulses like sit, lay down, stay, and come. 

7. Playdate.

Not enough owners take their puppies on a playdate—and they definitely should! Puppy playdates are lots of fun and give your puppy the interaction they want. You can invite friends and family with their dogs to have them play with your fur-baby. To find friendly dogs near you, you can use websites such as Meetup to make a special playdate arrangement. 

8. Dog walker.

If you work all day, your puppy may start to find ways to entertain themselves. Consider hiring a dog walker that can keep your pup company while you’re away. You can hire friends or family members to help you out. If not, you can also find dog walkers by searching online. 

9. Frozen treats. 

The quickest way to your puppy’s heart is through their stomach! Freeze some yummy dog treats in your fridge for a few hours. You can use chicken broth or another treat that’s safe for your puppy to eat. Stuff the treat inside a Kong toy or just give it to your puppy for being such a good boy. While you’re busy running errands or at work, your fur-baby’s treat will keep them entertained for a few hours.

10. Affection.

Dogs are social animals. They love interacting with us at all times. Your puppy may seem clingy but understand that they want to be with you. Give them some love by rubbing their belly, massaging their sides, or even grooming their fur every once in a while. 

The bonding session can easily calm your puppy down during an episode of zoomies or prevent them from chewing on your furniture. Your puppy will appreciate any gesture of affection you give them.

Puppies, regardless of breed, are not meant to sit and sleep around all day. In the same way as their human counterparts, they need activities that stimulate and entertain them.

By alleviating your pup’s boredom, you have the opportunity to train, bond, and help them grow accustomed to the rules of the house…and the world!

Did you know watching TV can help with your puppy’s boredom? Check out our blog, How Watching TV Can Benefit Your Puppy to find out more!

✓ This article has been reviewed by Petland Miami’s expert team to ensure accuracy and reliable pet care guidance.