Back to School, Not Back to Bored for Family Dog

By AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer Christie Canfield

It‘s back to school time for the kids. Don’t let that mean back to boredom for your dog! When dogs get bored, they create their own mischief, and it is usually not a pleasurable experience for either of you. Here are some suggestions to help alleviate the boredom that leads to undesirable behaviors throughout the day.

• Send your dog to school. Doggie daycares are everywhere. You drop your dog off in the morning for a supervised day of play with other dogs. If you are lucky, you can find a facility where training is offered as a part of the program.
• Crate your dog. The best way to keep both your dog and your house safe is to crate your dog when you leave. To help your dog learn to love his crate, give him something to do. Treat dispensing toys are great. Suggestions include a puzzle toy (like the one shown in the photograph above) or a hollow rubber toy that can be stuffed with something yummy and frozen overnight.
• Hire a dog walker. Science has proven that a dog given a daily walk is happier, healthier, and less prone to anxiety. Allowing your dog an opportunity to get out and stretch his legs during the day goes a long way toward a better behaved dog overall.
• After school games with the kids. Moms can provide a release of energy for their children and their dogs with supervised play sessions. Games like hide and seek are an excellent way to help release your dog’s initial energy from being alone all day.

For more tips on how to occupy your dog or to troubleshoot unwanted behaviors, call our expert trainers at the AKC GoodDog! Helpline, a seven-day-a-week telephone support service: www.akcgooddoghelpline.org.