Is your dog comfortable at home? Is it pooping on the cushions? Ruining the pillows?
These questions may pop in your mind when you’re at work and your furry friend is home alone. While remote working allowed you to stay with your canine at home and keep them entertained throughout the day, you were bound to return to work someday.
It’s hard to focus at work when you keep thinking about your dog. You can gain peace of mind if you take the right steps to keep your dog active while you’re at work.
In this article you will learn tips to keep your dog entertained when you’re away.
What Will I Learn?
How to Keep Your Dog Active While at Work
Start the Day with Some Activity
Dogs love to engage in physical activity. Since you will be out for several hours at work, consider tiring your canine out before heading out for the day. This will reduce the likelihood of your furry friend becoming restless while you are away. You can wake up an hour earlier and take your dog for a run. You can also go to a nearby park and play catch. A 10-15 minute play should do the trick.
Turn the TV On
If your canine easily becomes bored, turning on the TV can be a simple way to entertain them. They will be able to hear a human voice, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness. According to National Geographic, dogs can comprehend the pictures displayed on the TV.
If there’s a show featuring dogs, they’ll be able to see other canines on the screen and may even respond as if they were in the same room. Some dogs enjoy watching TV and can be kept entertained by their favorite programs for hours on end. There are even streaming services, such as DOGTV, that offer content specifically designed for the canine brain. The programs are shown in the color scheme best suited for dogs’ vision and feature images that dogs are naturally attracted to.
Give Your Pup a View of the Outside
Sitting at home and staring at the same four walls can be boring for your canine friend. To mitigate this, ensure your dog has access to a window with an outside view. It will make your dog less anxious as they watch people, bikers, and cars go past. You can keep a blanket there to make the window setting more comfortable for your pup to sit back and relax while watching everything happening outside.
Leave Some Chewy Toys for Them to Play with
Get some chewy toys for your dog to keep them active in your absence. These toys exercise their jaws and provide excellent dental care. Any bone or plastic toy will suffice if your furry friend isn’t a strong chewer. If they have a strong jaw, you should consider getting a durable chew toy that can survive forceful chewing and won’t create choking hazards.
Play Hide and Seek
One strategy that works with most canine companions is a good ol’ game of hide-and-seek. While you are at home, practice playing hide-and-seek games so your dog understands what it needs to do. Hide some treats for them and ask them to look for them. By training your dog in hide-and-seek games, you can leave different toys and treats around the house before you leave.
While you are away, you can play your voice on Alexa, which triggers a response from the dog and sends them on a scavenger hunt. This will allow you to keep your dog entrained from your workplace. Just make sure to switch the hiding spots regularly so your furry companion doesn’t get bored.
Hire a Dog Walker
Hiring a dog walker can provide your dog with the companionship and exercise they need while you’re at work. A dog walker can come to your home and spend time with your dog, playing with them and taking them for walks. Having someone come and spend time with your dog will also break up the monotony of the day and give them some mental stimulation.
Doggy Daycare
Doggy daycare is an excellent option if you work long hours. In doggy daycare, your canine friend can socialize with other dogs, play, and receive plenty of exercise. This can be a good way to give your dog a break from being alone all day and provide them with mental and physical stimulation.
Play Puzzle
Get a few puzzle games for your dog and train them to solve them. Before leaving for work, leave some unsolved puzzles for your furry friend. It will take your dog some time to figure out, keeping them entertained and proactive while you are at work.
Use Food-Dispensing Toys
Food-dispensing toys for dogs are a great way to keep your furry companion entertained and mentally stimulated. These toys are designed to challenge your dog’s mind and require them to use their problem-solving skills to get a reward in the form of treats or food. Different types of food dispensing toys are currently available. You could consider using treat-dispensing balls. They are plastic or rubber balls with a hollow center that you can fill with treats. As your canine friend plays with the ball, the treats will dispense, providing a reward for their playtime.
Final Thoughts
After reading all the strategies listed above, you must now know by now how to keep your dog active while at work. You can try these tricks to ensure that your pup stays entertained while you work to bring home the bacon.
However, when you get back from work, give your canine friend plenty of time because they miss you all day. Take them out for a walk after returning from work to make them feel relaxed. They will love this reward and continue to be a good boy when you leave for work.