A Barking Dog is often Bored & Lonely.

 

Your bored dog would benefit greatly if you provide it with enrichment while you’re at work or out for the day. It’s so important, if possible, to exercise your dog before you leave. This will put him in a better & calmer state of mind before you leave, as he will not have all that “pent up” energy to release. If your dog is not well exercised before you leave, he may try to release this wound up energy by barking and being destructive.

In addition to EXERCISE, try giving your dog a KONG or a roller treat ball filled with food or even a frozen bone before you head out.   Here are some other more BOREDOM Busters –

Treasure Hunt

Before work:  hide treats or part of his dinner around your yard, including:
behind seats, on the BBQ, on the clothes line, etc etc. (Or spread it like chicken feed and scatter everywhere).

REcycle Plastic Bottles    Be sure to remove the top & plastic ring first.
Punch some holes in the sides for food to fall through.
Great enrichment as it’s a self-rewarding activity for your dog.

Basket or Box (Use only as a special treat if you need them to self entertain).
Place treats on the bottom, cover with favourite toys and then add more treats on top.
Basket must be shoulder height of your pup so they can jump up to it, tip it over and/or jump out. Keep it fresh & exciting by rotating different toys, kongs etc

Swinging tyre An old tyre from a tree can be a great way to entertain.Try Placing toys or treats in the tyre too. Make sure the anchor point can take his weight.

 A dog that barks when you are away and also trembles, pants, looks anxious and is destructive may have anAnxiety disorder. Be careful.  Your dog has gone beyond boredom and its Anxiety may be taking over. Your Dog relies on you giving him a rich ‘home alone’ lifestyle, making ‘alone time’ part of every day and being a little sneaky in the way you leave your dog when you have to leave to work or go out for the day.  Talk to your Vet if you’re concerned about an escalating Anxiety issue but remember do not  feed into your Dog’s unstable mind or energy, as this only makes it worse. Be calm & confident around you dog at these times, and you dog will pick up on this “Balanced Energy” from you.

 

Hi Paws and Licks all around!

Leah & Angela OMeara  (Houndog – Specialists in Pet sitting, Dog Minding/ Dog Boarding & Dog Day Care Brisbane)