“I work hard so my dog could have a better life” – this is the story of every dog parent out there. If we could, we would spend all day, every day with our pooches, loving them to bits. But when work calls, we gotta go! Your dog is going to miss you, no doubt, but thanks to the ever-booming pet market, there are so many things you could do to make those lonely hours easier on your dog. Let’s look at some of the best toys to keep dog busy while at work.
How do I stop my dog from being bored when alone
As a pet parent, it is important to be observant enough to know what kind of activities your dog naturally enjoys. Knowing this important piece of information will help you invest in the right kind of toys and stimulation activities for your dog. Here are some pointers to remember while figuring out ways to stop your dog from being bored when alone-
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Provide plenty of stimulation
‘Stimulation’ goes way beyond physical exercise. Aim to strike a healthy balance between physical and mental stimulation for your dogs. Eg, when playing fetch with your dog, don’t just make it a game of throwing the ball and getting it back; incorporate some impulse control cues such as Stay, Sit, Down, etc. Doing so will help prevent overstimulation and hyperactivity during play and tire your dog out physically as well as mentally, thereby ensuring an overall calm dog post-play.
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Ensure ample engagement in your absence
Self-engagement is an art that must be taught to puppies from a young age. Over-dependency on human companionship usually gives rise to issues like separation anxiety and isolation distress.
Engage your dog in mental puzzles and interactive toys when you’re not able to be with them. Safe, edible chews, frozen meals, snuffle mats, treat dispensing toys are some other great ways to keep your dog from getting bored.
Leaving a dog alone with objects may have more cons than pros. The toys that you pick for your dog’s company in your absence must be durable and shred-proof if your dog loves to shred. Do not leave anything that is an ingest-risk.
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If you work from home, take breaks and spend time with your dog
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. In this case ‘Jack’ is both you and your dog. Even on your busier days, try and fit in breaks to spend some time with your dog because they wait for it all day, all the time. Apart from cuddling with them, engage in physical and mental stimulation activities with your dog to get rid of the excess pent-up energies.
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Practice doing nothing with your dog
Teaching your dog to be happy doing nothing is as important as teaching them to keep themselves engaged in your absence. Physical and mental stimulation are vital aspects of a dog’s overall well-being, however, it is not necessary to keep your dog engaged 24*7.
Trying to keep your dog engaged every minute of the day will not only lead to extreme overstimulation for your dog, but it will also be overwhelming for you. Practice doing nothing with your dog for brief periods during the day and reward your dog after every session.
This exercise is also known to help with isolation distress and reduce the likelihood of separation anxiety.
Boredom buster dog toys for those lonely moments of the day
Here are Toys to keep your dog busy when you work from home but are unable to make time for your pooch. These are toys that will keep your dog engaged for a few minutes while providing them with some much-needed mid-day stimulation.
1. Slow feeders
Slow-feeding bowls and puzzles are particularly useful for dogs that tend to eat too quickly, as rapid eating can lead to various health issues such as choking, vomiting, and potentially dangerous conditions like bloat.
Aluckmao Dog Puzzle/ Slow feeder
PROS
- Can hold an entire cup of kibbles
- Easy for dogs to figure it out but tedious enough to keep them going for long
- Lightweight and portable
- Disseminates only a few kibbles at a time, thereby preventing choking for gulpers
CONS
- May not be durable enough to withstand rough handling and chewing by boisterous and strong dogs
General review: 4.3/5*
Puzzle feeder puzzle bowl
Pros
- Slows down eating time up to 15x
- Suitable for most breeds of dogs
- Supports multiple types of food
- Anti-slip and food-grade material
Cons
- The bone in the middle may make eating inconvenient for some breeds
General Review: 4.6/5*
2. Meal holders
Classic Kong
Pros
- Can withstand hours of moderate chewing and mouthing
- Can hold a sizeable chunk of meal
- Freezable
- Crate friendly
- Available in a variety of sizes
Cons
- May not be convenient for dogs like French Bulldogs with punched-in muzzles
- Not durable to withstand heavy chewing and shredding
General Review: 4.6/5*
Westpaw toppl
Pros
- super durable and can withstand heavy chewing
- Can be used as a treat dispenser, a meal holder as well as a fetch toy
- Wide enough to suit the majority of breeds
- FDA compliant
- Freezable and crate-friendly
Cons
- The hole in the middle of the toy can make it difficult to hold meals. A blocker would be required
General Review: 4.6/5*
Soda Pup Honey Pot treat dispenser/ meal holder
Pros
- Durable and chew-friendly
- An easy puzzle for beginners
- Can hold a small portion of your dog’s meals
- Portable and lightweight
Cons
- Comes in only one size, thus may be too big for small dogs or too small for big dogs
- The lack of 2nd hole in the toy may cause suction issues
- Too easy for smarter dogs
General review: 4.4/5*
3. Snuffle mats
Pros
- has multiple hiding spots
- can keep dogs engaged for a long time
- great for dogs that love to forage; brings out natural instinct
- The large size of the Snuffle mat is great for small as well as big dogs for some extra fun and engagement
Cons
- Not suitable for dogs with tendency to shred, especially when left alone
General review: 4.8/5*
4. Licki mats
Pros
- Licking can be a mentally stimulating activity for dogs. It engages their senses and provides an outlet for mental energy
- Licki mats can reduce anxiety in dogs when left alone
- A great distraction tool during grooming and car rides
- Promotes salivation, thereby aiding in digestion and contributing to oral health
- Wobbling licki mat adds extra engagement and fun
- Easy to clean, just pop it in the dishwasher
Cons
- May be tricky to handwash
- Some dogs may become fixated on licking, leading to potential overuse
- Lick mats with wet or sticky substances can be messy, especially if your dog carries the mat around
General Review: 4.8/5*
How do you stimulate a dog when left alone
Focus on stimulating your dog’s senses
Dogs have 5 sensory organs – eyes, nose, tongue, ears, and skin. Pick activities for your dog that stimulate three or more of these sensory organs at a time. Such activities or games can effectively tire your dog out mentally as well as physically. The after-effects of such games can be quite enriching as they manage to eliminate overstimulation, cut down hyperactivity, and enable your dog to rest better.
A dog’s cognitive skills encompass a variety of factors such as
- problem-solving
- learning and memory
- spatial awareness
- social cognition
- communication skills
- emotional intelligence and so on
Individual dogs may vary in terms of their cognitive abilities. These skills can be honed with the right kind of games, activities, training and environmental enrichment.
One of the best ways to decide on the appropriate types of activities to improve your dog’s cognitive skills is to determine your dog’s breed’s original purpose. Eg, Border Collies were bred to herd sheep. Thus, they’d be naturally good at games that allow them to put their herding skills to work. Such games would not only provide enrichment and stimulation but also sharpen their cognition.
Invest in a variety of toys
Some toys may have the right kind of squeak to excite your dog whereas some toys may have that perfect texture to sink teeth into. To encourage self-stimulation, invest in a variety of toys for your dog. Use different toys during different times of the day.
Dogs are naturally in a calmer state of mind in the afternoon and usually at the peak of their energy in the evening. Thus, bring out high-excitement toys like squeakers, balls, tug toys etc in the evening whereas keep it low-key during the day with interactive puzzles and chew toys.
Toy rotation
Making the entire toy basket available to your dog at all times will only make them lose value for all of their toys. Toy rotation for dogs involves regularly changing and introducing new toys to keep your dog mentally stimulated and engaged. The idea is to prevent boredom and maintain your dog’s interest in their toys by providing novelty and variety.
Bark Box, a subscription service that delivers a box of dog toys, treats, and chews to your doorstep each month, is a great option that would not only guarantee ample toys for your dog but also enable you to keep the concept of toy rotation alive.
They include a variety of toys in each box, such as plush toys, rubber toys, interactive toys, and more. This variety helps in keeping your dog’s interest by offering different textures, shapes, and play experiences. Bark Box also allows you to customize your subscription based on your dog’s size, preferences, and any dietary restrictions for treats. This ensures that the toys provided are suitable for your specific furry friend.
Interactive dog toys that guarantee fun for your dog while you work
Ball Launchers
Pros
- Once trained to put the ball in the ball launcher, your dog can keep themselves busy for a considerable amount of time with the ball launcher, making it one of the best dog toys to keep dog busy while at work
- The launcher provides consistent throws, helping to maintain a regular exercise routine for your dog
- The distance of the launcher can be adjusted between 10-30 ft, which makes it suitable for a variety of spaces
Cons
- Only suitable for outdoor use
- May cause fixation with the ball/ launcher
- Some dogs may need training to understand how to use the launcher and to bring the ball back. It might take time for them to get used to the device
- There is a risk of injury if the dog is too close to the launcher when it activates
General review: 4/5*
Puzzle toys
Pros
- Multiple sections to hide treats
- Big enough to fit an entire cup of kibbles
- Improves dog cognition and provides mental stimulation
Cons
- Some dogs may not be able to figure out all sections and may get frustrated mid-way
General review: 4.4/5*
Kong wobbler
Pros
- Durable and can withstand some heavy-duty roughhousing and play
- Has enough space to contain almost a cup of kibbles
- Acts as a great slow feeder
- Enables movement, thereby providing both physical and mental stimulation
- Dishwasher safe
Cons
- May not be able to withstand jaw pressure from heavy chewers
- May create a mess in a smaller apartment
General review: 4.5/5*
Personally, I love the Wobbler! Every once in a while I feed my dog at least one of her meals in this amazing toy. This, in my opinion, is one of the best toys to keep your dog busy while at work.
App/ Battery operated toys
Pros
- Promotes independent play and prevents separation anxiety
- These toys can roll, bounce and move around for extended periods, thereby ensuring engagement for a long time
- can be used as training tools, reinforcing commands or behaviors through positive reinforcement
- comes with different features, allowing owners to choose one that best suits your dog’s preferences and energy levels
- Interactive toys can be used by multiple dogs, promoting group play and social interaction among pets
Cons
- Cannot withstand heavy-duty chewing
- May freak some dogs out
General review: 4.5/5*
Tips from a professional dog trainer: 3 things your dog needs to be happy when alone
To teach your dog to be happy spending time alone is nothing short of art. Dogs are social animals and enjoy companionship for most part of the day. However, there are three things your dog needs to be able to happily spend time on their own for a few hours –
1. A calm mind
An idle mind is a devil’s workshop- this saying holds truest for our dogs. Dogs who get into trouble when left alone or engage in destructive activities are a result of a restless mind.
Any and every behavior they engage in when left alone is to rid themselves of boredom and put their minds at ease. Mental stimulation is the fastest way to calm your dog’s mind and help them settle better in your absence.
2. A tired body
It is a commonly known fact that every dog needs exercise. A dog that does not get ample outlets to burn their energies off will end up creating their own outlets. These outlets generally take the form of undesirable behaviors and destructive activities.
Make sure to provide your dog with plenty of exercise at least a couple of times a day. Depending on your dog’s breed and activity levels, modify their activity levels and exercises throughout the day.
The kind of exercise provided is also important here. Rather than spending 20 minutes getting your dog to mindlessly run around in the backyard (which may only physically tire them out), combine mindless running with recall training and some sniffing games. This will provide them with a good mix of physical and mental stimulation.
3. Independence training
A dog that has been habituated to spending time alone right from puppyhood, regardless of anyone being there in the house, is more likely to be comfortable being alone in the long run as compared to a dog that has no solitude experience whatsoever. Independence training essentially means training your dog to be independent and self-engage in the presence and absence of humans.
You may google “best toys to keep dog busy while at work” all you want, but it is counter-productive without independence training.
When your dog learns to be independent in your presence, doing so in your absence becomes a lot easier. Start independence training from puppyhood. Make sure to fit in short and frequent sessions of solitude throughout the day. Increase this duration gradually.
Click here for some power tips on keeping your dog busy while at work.