While your dog may seem to prefer sleeping their day away, having some variety in their day is important. Your dog needs different activities to keep them mentally stimulated and physically active. If they become bored, that’s when unwanted behaviors can start to emerge. Add some variety to their routine and incorporate different enrichment opportunities to boost their quality of life. There are plenty of simple changes that can make a big difference.
Go for a scent walk. Take a different path than you normally do and let your dog explore a multitude of new scents, sounds, and sights. Instead of rushing them onward, give them time to stop and sniff at their leisure.
Play hide and seek. Hide your dog’s favorite toy or some small treats around your house and then set your dog free to go find them. They can give their nose a workout while being rewarded each time they uncover a treat.
Use puzzle toys. You can buy different puzzle mats and toys where your dog has to figure out how to get the treat out. Or, you can make your own using things you have around the house. Grab a muffin tin and drop some pieces of carrot, broccoli, or apple into a few of the slots. Then cover them all with tennis balls and see if your dog can move the right ones out of the way to get to the treats. You can also hide treats in a cardboard box filled with crumpled paper and let your dog root through to get them out.
Teach a new trick. Dogs are smart animals. Provide mental stimulation by teaching your dog to shake, roll over, speak, or do other tricks. You can practice different commands as well, challenging your pet to learn something new and keeping them motivated and engaged.
Set up an obstacle course. If you don’t have a dog agility park nearby, create your own. Have your dog weave around cones, duck under a broom handle, or jump through a hula hoop. Change things up based on their abilities to keep it interesting.
Go to the dog park. Simply let your pup run around and socialize with other dogs. They enjoy meeting new dogs and people too. They can burn off energy, play with friends, and enjoy plenty of different scents.
Rotate their toy box. Switch up which toys are out all the time and occasionally add a new one into the mix. Just like kids get bored playing with the same things over again, your dog can too. Old toys will seem like new when you reintroduce them. Take the time to play with your dog too, tossing a ball or engaging in tug-of-war.
Keep your dog’s mind sharp and get them excited about each day by using different types of enrichment. When you’re out of town, surprise your dog with a change of scenery, new smells, and the chance to interact with other dogs by boarding them at Lake Wylie Pet Resort. Your pet can go on an adventure of their own. Contact us today to book your dog’s next stay.