They say a tired dog is a good dog. Mental enrichment and stimulation is a surefire way to make any dog tired, but is especially beneficial to those who are anxious, or simply bored. A lot like humans, dogs can make some silly decisions when their anxiety or boredom are left unchecked. Some may destroy couch pillows, some may have accidents in the house, but regardless these are behaviors we want our dogs to avoid.
Simple activities and enrichment exercises require little effort from the owner but make a world of difference in easing the side effects of anxiety and boredom for our dogs. Here are a few to try if your dog is anxious or has been cooped up with nothing to do for a bit too long.
Lick mats
Licking, in general, is a behavior that promotes feelings of calmness in dogs. It offers a soothing effect that can chill out even the most anxious pup. Lick mats and toys like Kongs offer owners an easy way for their dog to be mentally stimulated and relaxed all in one.
Simply smear peanut butter, plain yogurt, or wet dog food on the mat/toy and freeze until hardened. Remove from the freezer and offer it to your dog in a safe environment. Your dog can relax while enjoying a treat and cleaning up is fairly simple as well – a quick wash and the mat/toy are ready to be used again.
Sniffing walks
Dogs love to follow their nose – so let them sometimes! An intentional walk that allows your dog to sniff whatever he wants can do wonders for his mind. Dogs learn about the world around them through their sense of smell – who lives where, who/what went this way earlier, etc. Having time to sniff and investigate allows them to download information and understand their environment.
Sniffing is very mentally stimulating for our dogs, working the brain and encouraging the dog to think and solve problems. So it makes sense that just a 15-20 minute sniff walk can have your dog feeling relaxed and tired.
Chewing
Much like licking, chewing is a great way for your dog to self-soothe and escape boredom. Have you ever noticed that your overly excited dog will grab a bone and go to town with a hard chewing session? That is his way of calming down and exerting that anxious or excited feeling. It’s also a great way for a bored dog to expend his energy.
Tough chews provide long-lasting chewing activity to keep your dog preoccupied in moments of high-stress or when he’s left alone. Encourage your dog to chew by redirecting him to the chew toy when he’s displaying anxious or bored behavior.