Do Dogs Get Bored? 5 Signs Your Dog is Bored

However, as much as we would like to lounge all day, dogs are not evolutionarily wired for a sedentary lifestyle. Long periods of inadequate physical and mental activity create a bored dog. Does your pet show any of the following boredom behaviors?

Excessive Chewing

All dogs have an innate drive to chew, as this behavior cleans teeth and strengthens jaws. A classic sign that a dog is bored, however, is when he or she begins to chew excessively – especially on items that are off-limits, such as shoes or the table legs.  

Destructive Behavior

Besides chewing, dogs can engage in destructive behavior to alleviate boredom. Destruction can include excessive digging, pulling the stuffing out of the sofa, or chewing through drywall. While these signs can also be symptoms of separation anxiety, more frequently they are clear indicators that a dog is creating his or her own entertainment.  

Excessive Barking

Dogs find strange ways to entertain themselves, and one such method is to bark … and bark … and bark … and bark. Why dogs engage in excessive barking to alleviate boredom is not completely understood. One theory is that excessive barking soothes a bored dog by mimicking a pack environment.

Attention Seeking

Perhaps the most obvious way that a dog shows he or she is bored is by engaging in the attention-seeking behavior. For instance, pawing, whining, jumping, and trying to engage other animals in the household are all indications that a dog is seeking mental or physical stimulation.

Obsessive Behaviors

Finally, obsessive behaviors can indicate your dog is seeking ways to entertain itself. While chewing, digging, and excessive barking all fall beneath this category, so do the tail chasing, pacing, air licking, toy fixation, shadow chasing, and paw licking. Owners should beware that some of these behaviors can also be warning signs of a more serious neurological problem. However, if obsessive behaviors dissipate once the dog is engaged in playtime or exercise, the chances are that they are merely a symptom of a bored dog.

Canine boredom not only results in the destruction of property and in general annoyance but also means that your pup is not achieving his or her highest quality of life. 

To ensure the highest quality of life, you need to provide your dog with enough activity – Actijoy dog tracker will aid you with that!

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Please note: all dogs should be treated as individuals. The Actijoy™ blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only. In the case of emergency, always seek qualified health care from a local veterinarian or emergency facility. Actijoy™ blogs are not designed to treat, diagnose, or prescribe medication for your pet.