Yes, dogs get bored. Sit around the house all day with absolutely nothing to do and you'd get bored, too! Try some cool new toys or puzzles to keep your dog engaged and, of course, exercise always helps. Mixing up your dog's routine will keep him stimulated and happy—and the house intact!
Since most dogs don't go to work or school, it's common for them to be bored if they are alone for long stretches of the day. Pair a long, lonely day with the hours that their human is asleep, and that's a long time for your dog to spend sleeping every day!
You might also see digging in the backyard or tipping over trash cans. And signs of boredom can be seen even when you're at home. If your dog is always mugging you for attention and acting restless, chances are he's bored and wants something to do. He might also jump on you and your guests or bark excessively.
It may simply mean that they are laying around because they honestly have nothing better to do ... they are just bored! If you feel that your dog is just bored you may want to work in more walks, play time, or trips to the doggie park. The extra exercise and stimulation can assist greatly in alleviating puppy boredom.
"A lot of dogs will sleep as a default, if they don't have something to do," Jill Sackman, a clinician in behavioral medicine for BluePearl Veterinary Partners, tells The Dodo. But, of course, they also sleep when they're actually tired.
Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? While a dog sleeps, he/she is repacking the day's memories, storing the important ones, and ditching the rest. Just like people, dogs experience periods of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. This is when their mind is active, but the body is relaxed.
“Some dogs will do better with more alone time than others,” he says. That said, for a general guideline, dogs should get a minimum of two hours of dedicated social time with humans or other dogs on a daily basis, which can be broken up into chunks of time over the course of the day.
Typically, though, dogs often spend 50% of a day sleeping, an additional 30% just lying around, and a mere 20% being active. Sounds like our kind of day…
We all get busy but leaving your dog alone for more than four hours every day can have a negative impact on its happiness, behavior, and quality of life. In fact, some dogs can eventually develop separation anxiety. Dogs are capable of feeling bored out of their minds just as humans are.
Burch, Director of Canine Good Citizen, AKC family dog director, and a certified applied animal behaviorist. This means not letting our dogs get bored. “Boredom can lead to depression, sadness, and a dog who has behavior problems, such as destruction,” says Burch.
Studies suggest that dogs live very much in the present but, like us, their internal clock or circadian rhythm regulates body processes such as when to go to sleep and get up. Left alone they may become increasingly anxious, indicating that they have an awareness of the passage of time.
Dogs get bored just like we do, so it's important to provide them with exercise, training, interactive toys, and brain games to keep them busy and entertained. Giving them appropriate ways to burn that extra energy also means your flower beds, shoes, and couch won't become unfortunate casualties.
Dogs should eat at least two meals each day, about 12 hours apart. But a breakfast, lunch, and dinner schedule is an equally great option. If more than 12 hours elapses between meals, the stomach can become hyperacidic causing nausea.
The PDSA says dogs shouldn't be left alone on a regular basis for more than four hours. Modern Dog Magazine says crated dogs shouldn't be left home alone for more than three or four hours. PAWS Chicago, a nonprofit no-kill shelter, says five to six hours is the max for an adult dog.
Feed them at a certain time, take them out for a daily walk, and have cuddle sessions in between; all this can help cheer your pup up. If in the case your dog is still sad or does not seem to be getting better, they might need some medical attention.
Like humans, dogs need food, water, and shelter to survive. Yet, they also need physical care, mental stimulation, and nurturing to thrive. Providing these things is an essential part of keeping your dog healthy and safe and sets the foundation for a long, happy life with your dog.
In general, Bray says dogs probably think about all the staples in their lives, from food and play to other dogs and their pet parents. Like humans, how much time they spend pondering a specific focus “depends on the dog and their individual preferences and experiences,” she notes.
Dogs and Time
We know dogs have circadian rhythms, and are sensitive to day and night, as well as certain times of day. We know through living with dogs that they know when it's time to go to bed and when it's time to eat. Certainly a part of this is based on circadian rhythms and past experiences.
So, yes, a puppy can definitely think of you as his “mother” — that is, his provider and protector — and develop as strong an emotional bond with you as if you were blood-related. Your puppy will also quickly learn to pick you out among strangers, both by sight and through his powerful sense of smell.
Animal memory is thought to be much more simplistic than human memory, and dogs have episodic memories, which means they are only able to remember certain events in their life. While your dog will remember you leaving the house, they most likely won't understand how long you were away.
If your dog follows you into the bathroom, it's likely a result of their animal instinct and pack mentality. Canines who do this are referred to as “Velcro dogs,” due to their desire to be attached to your side. They may follow you around, even to the bathroom, to protect a part of their pack.