Knowing how to entertain a dog at home is key to stopping them getting bored, wrecking the sofa and never quite settling. A bored dog barks, digs, chews shoes or whines when left alone. The good news is that you don't need a huge garden or a whole day of playing: with scent games, chew toys and a bit of routine, any dog that gets bored at home can burn off energy and end up relaxed. Here are 12 simple ideas, including for when your dog is left alone at home.
Why a dog gets bored at home
Canine boredom almost always comes from a lack of stimulation, not from naughtiness. Dogs need physical activity and, above all, mental activity. A short walk and many hours shut indoors adds up to a restless animal that goes looking for its own entertainment, usually with things it shouldn't. The classic signs of a bored dog are:
- Chewing furniture, cushions or shoes.
- Barking or howling for no obvious reason.
- Digging at the sofa or the bed.
- Following you around the house looking for attention.
- Seeming edgy or never settling.
The answer isn't telling them off, but giving them healthy ways to burn that energy off.
Scent games for bored dogs
Smell is a dog's most powerful sense, and sniffing tires them out more than running does. These are the best games for bored dogs because they occupy and calm them at the same time:
- Find the treat: hide bits of kibble around the living room and let them track it down.
- The rolled-up towel: put treats inside a rolled-up towel and let them unroll it to find them.
- Snuffle mat: a mat with fabric strips where you hide the food; it gives them minutes of mental work.
- Upturned cups: hide a treat under one of three cups and let them work out which.
Chew toys and slow feeders
Chewing and licking releases tension and calms a dog naturally. This is where fillable chew toys and lick mats come in, ideal for after mealtimes or for keeping them settled. Spread a little wet food or soaked kibble on an anti-stress lick mat and you turn food into a game that lasts. This sort of slow feeder also helps the dog eat more slowly and digest better.
How to entertain a dog home alone
When you head out to work, the aim is that they don't associate being alone with being bored. To entertain a dog home alone, set things up before you leave:
- Leave them a frozen fillable chew toy: it lasts far longer that way.
- Spread a few toys around different rooms.
- Leave the radio or the TV on with voices in the background so the silence isn't so noticeable.
- Take them for a walk and have a play before you go, so they're already tired.
If your dog whines, destroys things or wees every time you leave, it could be separation anxiety rather than just boredom; in that case it's worth speaking to your vet or a trainer.
Routine, walks and playing together
No toy replaces time with you. Give them several short play sessions a day: tug of war, fetching a ball down the hallway, or hiding yourself so they have to find you. A steady routine of walks, meals and play gives them security and cuts boredom. Ten minutes of proper play is worth more than an hour of dull walking at your pace.
Quick ideas for rainy days
When you can't get out, get creative indoors:
- An obstacle course made of cushions and chairs.
- Teach them a new trick: 'give me five', roll over, or spin round.
- A cardboard box with treats hidden in scrunched-up paper.
- Rotate the toys: put some away and bring others out each week so they seem new.
In summary
Entertaining a dog at home is about stimulation, not space. With scent games, chew toys, a good slow feeder and time playing with you, you'll have a tired, happy, settled dog, even if they spend hours on their own. If you'd like to give them a boost, take a look at our pet products, designed for everyday life at home.