How to tell if my dog is bored

Sometimes, we get bored. And yes, our tail-wagging, full-of-energy pups can get bored too. While it may seem like your energetic Springer Spaniel or zippy Jack Russell is constantly loving life, they can get a little fed up with things.

Worried your dog is too bored? Here, we answer if your dog feels boredom in the same way as us, how to stop it and share some enrichment ideas.

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Can dogs get bored, and is it the same as in humans?

Yes, dogs can get bored, and it’s very similar to humans. While our solutions to boredom differ, the reasons for boredom are remarkably similar. Like us, dog boredom is caused by monotony, a dislike of their current activity, and a lack of mental and physical stimulation.

The psychology behind dog boredom: why dogs feel it

Now, why do our pups feel boredom, and why have they evolved to feel it? We know they’re intelligent and caring, but what, psychologically, drives their boredom?

The first is that some breeds, like working dogs, have a strong genetic need for specific, high-intensity tasks, like herding, hunting and guarding. If a dog with a high working drive, like a Border Collie, doesn’t get this, it triggers boredom quicker than in other breeds. Some high-energy dogs just aren’t designed to be sedentary companions!

But regardless of breed, all dogs need some level of mental and physical stimulation as they’re intelligent animals.They thrive on solving problems, and chronic boredom can act as a stressor, sending messages to your dog’s body that something isn’t quite right.

Similarly, all dogs are social pack animals; they want interaction with humans, dogs and other animals. Long hours alone can cause them to feel ignored and become lonely, and they may seek attention or try to keep themselves busy through destructive behaviours.

The mismatch between reality (nothing happening) and what a dog wants (action) can lead to frustration for some pups, which often looks like repetitive, self-soothing behaviours, like excessive chewing and licking. In an attempt to calm themselves down, dogs can often fall into these behavioural loops.

Dogs feel better when they have routine, stimulation and control. Boredom is their brain’s way of saying that they aren’t getting this, leading to feelings of helplessness.

Is my dog bored? The key signs

Bored dogs tend to make their own fun; they don’t really mope around like us! So, you’ll usually know when your dog’s bored, as they’ll typically:

• Act recklessly

• Bark excessively

• Chew everything in sight

• Destroy things, like furniture

• Get the zoomies

• Lick excessively

Less commonly, a dog may show decreased energy, sleep a lot or act down. In these cases, it’s worth looking into whether your dog is dealing with mental health issues or underlying illness.

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What’s the difference between angry and bored destruction?

This comes down to the timing of the behaviour. While we can’t tell exactly what our pets are feeling, we can note when things happen, and this tells us a lot about what’s going on behind those puppy-dog eyes.

“Angry” destruction is often due to anxiety, and can happen very soon after the emotion strikes. For example, a dog with strong separation anxiety may destroy things within a few minutes of you leaving the house, while a bored dog will sit with the emotion for longer and exhibit milder signs before gradually destroying things.

Here’s a quick comparison table between boredom and angry (anxious) destruction:

How to stop boredom in dogs: tailoring enrichment by energy level

Picking the right way to stop boredom depends on your dog’s individual personality and breed.

Once you know your breed’s energy level and interests, you can then pick enrichment ideas that best match them, like:

High-energy

• High-intensity play

• Mental stimulation games and toys

• Rotating or introducing new toys

• Scent work and sniffaris (more on this later!)

• Short training sessions to hold their interest

• Walking

Low-energy

• Bonding time

• Calm, low-impact games

• Gentle walk

• Grooming

• Puzzle toys

• Scent games and sensory experiences

• Training

Our article on dog enrichment has more ideas if you need them.

But mainly, you need to make sure you’re regularly engaging with your dog every day both mentally and physically. Some dogs will need lots, others less so, but being a good pet parent is about embracing that.

The three-day enrichment test: seeing if your dog’s behaviour changes

To see if your dog is really bored, you can try a three-day enrichment test and note any positive changes in their behaviour. For example, as well as increasing physical exercise, you could:

• Day one: Try a “sniffari”. This is where you hide different treats around your home or garden and observe your dog as they try to find them. Reward them when they do (and try to remember where you’ve hidden the treats...trust us: it’s harder than it sounds).

• Day two: Serve food in a different way, like playing the burrito game (wrapping some dry food in a towel and seeing if your dog can get it out).

• Day three: Teach them a new trick, and positively reinforce good efforts. Try easy, low-impact tricks, like spinning or giving their paw.

After that, ask yourself if your dog’s behaviour has changed. If so, then you both have (or had) a boredom problem. Thankfully, you’re on your way to fixing it, and it’s a lot of fun to do so, too.

How much stimulation does my dog need?

Don’t worry - they’ll tell you. Bored dogs make their own entertainment, so if your dog is bored, they’ll usually make it known through destructive behaviours, like excessive chewing, or having zoomies that reach apocalyptic levels.

In all seriousness, looking at your dog’s breed is a good start, as this will give you a good idea about your dog's energy and intelligence levels.

After that, look at their personality - every dog is different, and some may be classed as a low-energy breed but zip around like a Jack Russell who has had one too many treats.

Observe. React. Be consistent. Once you learn about who your tailmate is, you’ll know more about their likes and dislikes, and from that, you’ll naturally keep them entertained through the routines you build together.

Are some breeds more prone to boredom?

Yes - some breeds are more likely to feel bored. Usually, it’s high-energy, intelligent dog breeds with a working background, like Australian and German Shepherds.

These dogs are genetically programmed to need consistent mental and physical challenges, so they have higher stimulation demands.

Breeds who are more prone to boredom include:

• Australian Shepherds

• Border Collies

• German Shepherd

• Kelpies

• Labradors

• Poodles

The difference between boredom and separation anxiety

Many dogs prone to boredom are also susceptible to separation anxiety. While both feelings can look similar, they’re very different things.

Boredom is simply a dog's craving for activity or attention. Separation anxiety, meanwhile, refers to negative emotions when a dog is left alone, leading to feelings like anxiety, fear and panic. These feelings can come immediately when a dog has been left on their own, whereas a bored dog will gradually start to show signs, the longer they are left.

While boredom can be a symptom of separation anxiety, it’s not as serious. Boredom can be easily remedied, while separation anxiety needs long-term steps and sometimes the guidance of a professional.

Could boredom be a symptom of something deeper?

Usually boredom occurs because your dog is lacking mental or physical stimulation. It can also be a symptom of a deeper behavioural problem such as separation anxiety, which we discussed previously.

However, it’s always worth checking that the behavioural signs they are showing are not due to a medical issue. For example, eating inedible items (known as pica) could be a sign of nutrient deficiencies or a gastrointestinal disorder, as well as occurring in bored dogs. Pacing, restlessness or panting may be a sign your dog is bored, but it can also be noted in painful dogs or those with canine cognitive dysfunction.

So if you have concerns about your dog’s health or behaviour it’s worth getting your pet checked out by a vet.

Can a dog become depressed from chronic boredom?

Yes. Chronic boredom can lead to mental health problems, like depression, if it isn’t solved. Occasional boredom is fine, but a long-term lack of stimulation will have serious effects on your dog’s wellbeing.

But thankfully, this is solvable. If your dog has a boredom problem, little changes, like more frequent walks or games, can rectify it quickly.

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Frequently asked questions

How can I stop a bored dog from interrupting my work-from-home day?

Our guide on working from home with a pet can provide more in-depth advice, but in general, try to:

• Exercise your dog before work starts and during any lunch breaks.

• Find “passive enrichment” opportunities, like lick mats or KONGs.

• Make sure they have safe toys to play with throughout the day.

• Practice firm boundaries with your office space - no play or cuddle time while you’re working there.

It’s all about routine. If your dog is not used to you working from home, you will need to be patient and use positive reinforcement to set the boundary that work time is you time.

What can I do if my daily walk isn’t enough?

For some dogs, especially working breeds like Australian Shepherds, one walk a day is not enough, and your day may still be hyper after two miles or so.

For these dogs, an obvious solution is more frequent walks, but understandably, this might not work for all pet parents.

Instead, try to make sure your dog is mentally stimulated - for example, 10 minutes of sniff work or a sniffari can give them lots of mental stimulation quickly.

Scent work is great if you’re looking for ways to entertain a bored dog that isn't food-motivated, too. In fact, 10 minutes of a good sniffari can give the same level of mental exhaustion as 30 minutes of exercise due to how strong a dog’s nose is.

Is my dog suffering from boredom while I work a nine-to-five?

It’s very likely your dog is bored while you’re away for over eight hours a day and it's not recommended. Adult dogs should not be left on their own for more than four hours at a time.

Try to pop home at lunch time and organise a dog walker or sitter if that’s not possible. This will break up your pet’s day and give them the opportunity to toilet, as well as reducing the risk of behavioural issues.

Why does my dog get bored with new toys so quickly?

Dogs have their own personalities, quirks, likes and dislikes, and it’s a key reason why we love them so much! Your dog may just not be a fan of playing with toys, but it could also be:

• A lack of interaction and stimulation during play; they may be seeking active participation from you instead of passive enrichment.

• Access to too many toys instead of cycling through a few at a time. Too much choice can lead to excessive novelty-seeking.

• Desire for some more mentally-challenging toys, like puzzle toys.

• Using the wrong toys, which don’t satisfy your dog’s hunting instincts.