Every dog has slow days. But if your dog is chewing the couch, barking at nothing or following you from room to room, they might simply be bored. Dogs were bred to have jobs, like sniffing, chasing, guarding and fetching. When their day has nothing to do in it, they often invent their own fun, and it's not always the kind we'd pick.
The good news is that boredom is one of the easiest things to fix at home. Here are seven common signs, then some simple ways to help.
7 signs your dog might be bored
1. Chewing things they shouldn't
Shoes, cushions, skirting boards. Chewing feels good and passes the time, so a dog with nothing better to do will find something to chew.
2. Digging in the yard
Digging is a natural, busy activity. If the garden is starting to look like a building site, your dog may be looking for something to do.
3. Barking or whining for attention
Some dogs learn that noise gets a reaction. If the barking starts when the house goes quiet, boredom could be part of it.
4. Following you everywhere
A dog who shadows you all day may be hoping you're about to do something fun. You're the most interesting thing in the house.
5. Restless pacing
Walking laps of the lounge room, flopping down, then getting straight back up again is a classic "I've got nothing to do" look.
6. Sleeping more than usual
Dogs sleep a lot anyway, but some bored dogs simply switch off. If your dog seems flat as well as sleepy, it's worth a chat with your vet to rule out anything else.
7. Getting into mischief right after you leave
Raiding the bin or pulling washing off the line while you're out often comes down to a long, empty stretch of time.
Easy fixes that actually help
Let them use their nose
Sniffing is hard work for a dog's brain. Hide a few treats around one room and let your dog find them, or scatter part of their dinner on the grass instead of using the bowl. A few minutes of sniffing can tire them out more than you'd expect.
Swap the bowl for a puzzle
Puzzle feeders and lick mats turn a meal that's gone in thirty seconds into a little project. Start with an easy puzzle so your dog wins quickly, then make it trickier as they get the hang of it.
Rotate their toys
A basket of the same toys gets boring fast. Keep a few out and put the rest away, then swap them every few days. "Old" toys feel new again.
Give them something long-lasting to chew
A good chew gives your dog a calm, focused job while you're busy. Pick a size that suits your dog's mouth, and supervise until you know how they chew.
Add short training games
Two or three five-minute sessions a day of "sit", "touch" or "find it" give your dog a job and build your bond at the same time. Keep it fun and end on a win.
Change up the walk
A new street, a slower "sniff walk" or a different time of day can make the same walk feel brand new.
Play together
Tug, fetch and gentle chase games use up energy in a happy way. Even ten minutes before you head to work can make a difference to the rest of the day.
Making it easy
If you'd rather not work it all out yourself, our Boredom Buster packs bring together puzzle, lick and chew play in one box, picked to give bored dogs and cats a job to do. Not sure which mood fits your pet best? Try our free Fluffy Mood Match quiz. It takes about a minute.
And if your dog's behaviour changes suddenly, or something just doesn't feel right, check in with your vet. Boredom is common, but it's always good to rule out anything else.