There are a few simple ways to keep the dog entertained while you’re at work. Here are a few of our favourites here at Furry Mates Co!
What’s your dog up to while you’re at work all day?
We know that when you go to work, you think about your dog all alone at home and you wonder what they’re doing or if they’re bored.
Or, the scariest thought, what your dog is destroying!
There are a few simple ways to keep the dog entertained while you’re at work, all of which can ease your mind and allow your pet to have a fun and more enjoyable time when they are alone.
Below are 5 of our favourites.
1. Run Off That Energy!
Possibly one of the easiest solutions to this problem is to increase the amount of exercise your dog gets, especially before you leave.
The common underlying cause of why dogs have destructive behavior problems is that they have not expended the amount of energy they have each day. The more your dog is using his energy in acceptable ways, such as through exercise and training, the less chance they are going to become destructive when you are gone.
Animal Behavior College’s curriculum states that “every dog’s exercise needs will be different,” adding that one 20-minute walk daily is probably enough for most breeds except working dogs, who may require two 20-minute walks.
The college adds, “Many owners who take their dogs for a long, brisk walk first thing in the morning notice a significant decrease in their dog’s destructive habits.”
2. Treat Hunt
This can be fun for both you and your dog! Its something us here at Furry Mates Co have tried this and found it to work really well. Leave some treats around the area that you leave your dog during the day or whenever you are gone for an extended period of time. This will keep them busy and keep them happy as they find their favourite little snacks around the place.
If you do this regularly, your dog will begin to associate being left alone in a more positive way as well! So hopefully they won't get too sad every time you have to leave them.
3. Busy Bucket
Other than commercially made dog toys, you can make a “Busy Bucket” for your dog. To create these homemade time-consumers, take a sturdy plastic or aluminum pail and throw some treats at the bottom.
After the treats, put one of your dog’s favorite toys in the pail, and then fill the surrounding space with a hand towel.
Continue to layer and tightly pack the bucket with toys, treats, and towels that promote problem-solving, as well as big chew treat to top it off. As the dog searches through the pail, they’ll discover layers upon layers of entertainment.
4. Doggie Popsicle
To follow the trend of homemade entertainment for your pet, you can create a doggie popsicle:
- Pour some chicken broth into a Tupperware container and toss in some pet treats.
- I like to drop a couple spoonfuls of peanut butter into the broth too. You can also put in a few baby carrots or your dog’s favorite treat.
- Once you have created what looks like a porridge of canine happiness, put it in the freezer overnight.
- Before you leave the next morning, run some warm water over the Tupperware to loosen up the popsicle and pop it out.
Giving this to your dog is a fun way to keep him hydrated and is best given outside on a warm day. It is particularly good to give your dog this treat if they have any degree of separation anxiety.
Frequently offering your dog something like this when you leave will help them create a positive association with your departure.
5. Our Solution - Toothy
Now we are obviously quite biased on this one, but I think it would be wrong if we didn't believe in our product! Toothy has proven to be such an amazing product for keeping your little fur baby busy, both while you are home and while you're out. You can fill it with their favourite treats, peanut butter, or even just play fetch with it!
We really think every dog in the world will love Toothy and with over 200 happy dogs within our first month, the numbers don't lie. So, if you want to make your dogs day and keep them happy and entertained during while you're away. You know what to do... Furry Mates Co - Toothy
Some Cautions
As with all toys and treats, you should monitor your dog before leaving for an extended period of time with any of the above-mentioned delights. It is important to watch your dog at first when they are interacting with any toys and treats to ensure safety.
Also, make sure that you use the appropriate size Toothy to prevent other complications.
Most people are concerned about their pets when they leave home, but with a little care and effort, you can easily keep your dog entertained and happy while you’re at work.