Post by Brooke on Feb 22, 2006 9:59:31 GMT -5
Boredom busters important for your dog's mental and physical health
Posted on Wed, Feb. 22, 2006
DR. MARTY BECKER
Knight Ridder Newspapers
What if you woke up every morning and found nothing on your to-do list? Sure, it might be paradise for a week or two, but it is very likely that boredom would soon strike hard and deep putting a real dent in your zest for life.
Our dogs come from a long line of working animals. They have only been house pets for a very brief snippet of their evolutionary lifetime. As man's helper, dogs were bred for specialized jobs. Terriers cleared out the vermin, sporting dogs brought in the hunt, working dogs protected property, and sheep dogs moved sheep.
Today, dogs still have the same genetic exuberance as did their ancestors to put in a good day's work. But most live a life of leisure. The result for many is similar to "Type A" person forced into an early retirement. Stress!
Instead of relying on our dog's work ethic, we now put them into solitary confinement in the yard or house while we work. We give our dogs very little to do and expect them to be content. Just like people, some breeds adapt better than others to vegging out. Sadly, too many dogs experience pent up frustration and then act out in destructive behaviors. They chew our things, dig up our lawns, and join neighborhood dogs in crooning the "I'm so lonely and bored" ballad or sounding off many false alarms. Still others live lives of quiet desperation.
"While we have welcomed pets into our homes, we are less available to them," says Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary behaviorist at Tufts Cummins School of Veterinary Medicine and author of "If Only They Could Speak." Just like us, dogs get cabin fever. They long for the adventure of meeting other dogs and need a change of scenery. It is also natural for dogs to have a role or job description that contributes to the pack. Dogs instinctively want to please the leader or main provider of food, shelter, and safety.
Dodman points out that "Type-B" personality dogs may nap during the day, arise lazily with a yawn and stretch upon their owner's return. However, more active or compulsive "Type-A" dogs may stress during their owner's absence and act out by destroying the house or even harming themselves by chewing a leg down to the bone.
How can you tell if your dog suffers from separation anxiety or boredom stress? Separation anxiety is more common in dogs adopted from a shelter or that comes from multiple owners. Other signs include following the owner around like a shadow. They are more likely to whine, pant, destroy, and not eat when their owners are away. If you are not sure, try setting up a camcorder to see what goes on when you are not home.
While separation anxiety often requires veterinary care, what a bored dog needs is "Environmental Enrichment" says Dodman who suggests trying one or more of the following boredom-busters:
Doggie-daycare - Dogs need friends too! Prevent the "Home Alone" scenario.
Food puzzles - Dogs are wired to work for their food and to play. Begin a policy of no free lunch.
Television - Hearing the TV or radio makes it sound more like we are home. Try a show on Animal Planet, and you dog might just watch the TV. Indoor sounds mask outdoor sounds and can help quiet an excessive barker.
Shutters Up - Think of the window as dog reality TV for squirrel, bird, and, people watching. If your dog is a barker when you are gone, this may not be a good idea.
Toy story - Mix it up by rotating toys. Put a surprise in your dog's day. Hide toys with treats in them.
Exercise - A tired dog is a happy dog and a better-behaved dog. If you can't get out, consider a dog walker.
It is only humane to help our dogs "thrive and not just survive." As with children, dogs are dependent on us and need our understanding and compassion. We must remind ourselves that they are a different species! It's not easy being a dog in a human world. Dogs require regular exercise outside of the home environment, companionship, training (a job) and play. It's often the stress of their most basic needs not being met that leads the unwanted behaviors.
Providing a dog a food puzzle instead of a food bowl is a good first step to adding variety and spice to your dog's daily life. You can start by putting Kong toys with kibble in them in a large food bowl and put a small amount of tasty treats in the food puzzle. Once the dog gets the idea, vary the routine. Isn't giving your dog something to do a small price to pay for a little doggy happiness?
www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/13951301.htm
Posted on Wed, Feb. 22, 2006
DR. MARTY BECKER
Knight Ridder Newspapers
What if you woke up every morning and found nothing on your to-do list? Sure, it might be paradise for a week or two, but it is very likely that boredom would soon strike hard and deep putting a real dent in your zest for life.
Our dogs come from a long line of working animals. They have only been house pets for a very brief snippet of their evolutionary lifetime. As man's helper, dogs were bred for specialized jobs. Terriers cleared out the vermin, sporting dogs brought in the hunt, working dogs protected property, and sheep dogs moved sheep.
Today, dogs still have the same genetic exuberance as did their ancestors to put in a good day's work. But most live a life of leisure. The result for many is similar to "Type A" person forced into an early retirement. Stress!
Instead of relying on our dog's work ethic, we now put them into solitary confinement in the yard or house while we work. We give our dogs very little to do and expect them to be content. Just like people, some breeds adapt better than others to vegging out. Sadly, too many dogs experience pent up frustration and then act out in destructive behaviors. They chew our things, dig up our lawns, and join neighborhood dogs in crooning the "I'm so lonely and bored" ballad or sounding off many false alarms. Still others live lives of quiet desperation.
"While we have welcomed pets into our homes, we are less available to them," says Nicholas Dodman, a veterinary behaviorist at Tufts Cummins School of Veterinary Medicine and author of "If Only They Could Speak." Just like us, dogs get cabin fever. They long for the adventure of meeting other dogs and need a change of scenery. It is also natural for dogs to have a role or job description that contributes to the pack. Dogs instinctively want to please the leader or main provider of food, shelter, and safety.
Dodman points out that "Type-B" personality dogs may nap during the day, arise lazily with a yawn and stretch upon their owner's return. However, more active or compulsive "Type-A" dogs may stress during their owner's absence and act out by destroying the house or even harming themselves by chewing a leg down to the bone.
How can you tell if your dog suffers from separation anxiety or boredom stress? Separation anxiety is more common in dogs adopted from a shelter or that comes from multiple owners. Other signs include following the owner around like a shadow. They are more likely to whine, pant, destroy, and not eat when their owners are away. If you are not sure, try setting up a camcorder to see what goes on when you are not home.
While separation anxiety often requires veterinary care, what a bored dog needs is "Environmental Enrichment" says Dodman who suggests trying one or more of the following boredom-busters:
Doggie-daycare - Dogs need friends too! Prevent the "Home Alone" scenario.
Food puzzles - Dogs are wired to work for their food and to play. Begin a policy of no free lunch.
Television - Hearing the TV or radio makes it sound more like we are home. Try a show on Animal Planet, and you dog might just watch the TV. Indoor sounds mask outdoor sounds and can help quiet an excessive barker.
Shutters Up - Think of the window as dog reality TV for squirrel, bird, and, people watching. If your dog is a barker when you are gone, this may not be a good idea.
Toy story - Mix it up by rotating toys. Put a surprise in your dog's day. Hide toys with treats in them.
Exercise - A tired dog is a happy dog and a better-behaved dog. If you can't get out, consider a dog walker.
It is only humane to help our dogs "thrive and not just survive." As with children, dogs are dependent on us and need our understanding and compassion. We must remind ourselves that they are a different species! It's not easy being a dog in a human world. Dogs require regular exercise outside of the home environment, companionship, training (a job) and play. It's often the stress of their most basic needs not being met that leads the unwanted behaviors.
Providing a dog a food puzzle instead of a food bowl is a good first step to adding variety and spice to your dog's daily life. You can start by putting Kong toys with kibble in them in a large food bowl and put a small amount of tasty treats in the food puzzle. Once the dog gets the idea, vary the routine. Isn't giving your dog something to do a small price to pay for a little doggy happiness?
www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/news/13951301.htm