How to stop your dog being destructive: tips and tricks for bored dogs
If your dog is digging holes, pulling clothes off the line, destroying their dog bed or wrecking their toys, they are probably bored. Ensuring your dogs get exercise and enrichment is easier said than done with a busy modern lifestyle.
You may have heard the adage, ‘a tired dog is a good dog’, and it’s true, but how do we make sure our pooch is getting the exercise they need without eating up all our spare time every day?
Here are our top tips for keeping your dog engaged and active so they are too tired to destroy your home and garden.
Flirt Poles
The Flirt Pole is fantastic exercise. It exhausts your cheeky canine in record time, but it doesn’t tire you out! You may practise their training with voice commands like sit, down, look, wait, take it, leave-it and drop-it by using it as a fun method to teach them.
You’ll be teaching them their rile/recovery skills. They’ll get to apply what they’ve learned while they’re engaged in high arousal (chasing and tugging) and learn to cool down fast (drop it and lie down) on your instruction. This is beneficial for reactive dogs who need to practise impulse control.
The Wobbler or Food Dispenser
Toy like the KONG dog toys help dogs satisfy instinctual desires and strengthen their relationship with their pet parents by encouraging play. KONG dog toys are built to last, providing mental and physical stimulation while also catering to the natural desire of dogs to play.
The KONG Wobbler is a must-have item for dogs who spend a lot of time alone at home. Puzzle toys like the KONG Wobbler, which dispenses treats to provide environmental stimulation, can help keep your dog mentally active by preventing boredom and managing behavioral problems such as separation anxiety.
The KONG Wobbler sits upright until nipped by a paw or nose, dispensing delicious rewards as it wiggles, spins, and rolls. The unpredictable movement engages natural instincts, keeping even the most seasoned dogs on their toes. You may also use the KONG Wobbler to help lengthen mealtime while providing exercise for your pooch.
The Spring Pole
A dog spring pole is a plaything that aids in the development of muscle and pleasure for dogs. It consists of a pole with a spring at its end where a dog may pull and swing on it. The game of tug-of-war, especially for terriers, stimulates their prey drive, making most active dogs ecstatic.
The Spring Pole is the ideal muscle-training device for dogs, allowing them to have fun for hours on end. The pulling, swinging, and tugging action of the Spring Pole appeals to dogs. It precisely mimics the Tug of War game.
Dog Treadmills
Treadmills may be a fantastic way to provide your dog a complete-body workout without the risk of causing harm. Before trick training, canine sports, extended walks or hikes, you can use the treadmill to warm up your pet.
Walking on a dog treadmill is a powerful tool that may assist dogs in strengthening their muscles and stamina, preventing obesity, aiding weight reduction, and providing mental stimulation. If you have an energetic, hyperactive or overweight dog, treadmill training might be the answer to a calm, well-behaved dog with a high fitness level.