Dogs are energetic bundles of fun, and they require more than two times the amount of sleep that we need. If they’re not playing with the garden hose or chasing squirrels up trees, you might find them curled up in their favorite spot for hours.
Although it's normal for dogs to sleep for more than half the day in some cases, it becomes a concern when your dog sleeps longer than normal or way less.
People say a tired dog is a happy dog and a “tired dog, happy owner,” but a very tired dog can be even more dangerous for itself and its people.
There are many reasons why a dog might be more tired than usual or seem particularly uninterested in many activities that usually excite them. So it is important to know the symptoms and signs of exhaustion in dogs. Not to worry, this article highlights several ways to keep your dog busy.
Is a sleeping dog a happy dog? Is a calm dog a happy dog? These are some of the questions curious dog owners ask.
If you’ve ever had a super energetic and very hyper dog, surely you know the answers to these questions. Here’s why we’d like to think a tired dog is a happy dog:
There is never a dull moment when your dog is active and happy, but a tired dog can mean different things.
Some dog owners, especially new ones, find it hard to tell if their dogs are unwell or simply tired. As a pet owner, you should know when to give your dog a rest when they show signs of tiredness and exhaustion.
Because let's face it, most dogs don't know how to stop themselves, no matter how tired or exhausted they get. There are always telling signs that your dog might be getting exhausted - here are a few examples:
Like human beings, dogs need a strong balance of mental and physical exercise, whether it's indoors or outdoors. Here are 5 ways to keep your dog busy:
Taking your dog on a quick hike is one way to keep your dog busy and active.
Hiking is a good way for dogs to exercise and an even better way to get away from the busy and noisy city life to explore the quieter part of the world.
It's an activity that will benefit you and the dog as you get to take in much-needed vitamin D on a sunny day while your dog burns energy.
Research and look for suitable hiking trails that you and your pup can and make sure to pack essentials too!
Another fun way to pass the time and keep your dog busy is to try teaching it a new trick, whether it's learning the name of their favorite toy or how to shake a paw.
The more hours you spend teaching new tricks, the more options you can exhaust. One useful trick you can try is getting them to tidy up after playing with their toys.
Start by teaching your pup the meaning of "put it away" and getting them to pick up their dog toys and drop them in a box.
After this, you can go further by scattering toys around the room and pointing to specific toys one at a time, and getting them to pick them up and put away. Soon enough, your dog will be able to do this trick with just a command, and you can reward with a treat too.
Puzzle games aren't just for humans; there are several puzzle games made for dogs that you can use to keep them busy. Owners can play these games with their dogs and reward them with treats.
There are puzzle games that dispense treats once a dog hits a lever or button on command, and these games most times come with multiple levels of difficulty.
Once you train your doggo to play and get the hang of it, they'll have something to stay occupied with while you work at home or do some chores. As a precaution, choose the puzzle game according to the size of your pup.
Hide and seek is another fun activity to occupy your fur baby with and keep it busy, and it's quite fun and pops up on pet TikTok videos pretty much every week.
It is a fun, bonding, and surprisingly educational game for dogs because it teaches them to come to you.
Start by telling your dog to sit still and stay, then go and hide somewhere in the house. Wait for a few seconds before you call your dog to come to you.
Your pup should be able to find you quickly with ease and once they do, make it a habit to praise them excitedly.
Try upping the game's difficulty every time you play it to challenge your dog's mind by hiding in different new locations around the house.
Undoubtedly, grooming is an incredibly important part of every dog's life, and some dogs require more grooming than others.
However, irrespective of the breed, it is important to groom your dog at least once daily and the best time to start is when they're a little pup, so they get used to it.
You can use grooming to keep your dog busy while keeping it clean. Grooming is a good bonding activity that gets dogs used to physical contact.
While your dog may not understand the workings of a clock, they still have something called an internal circadian rhythm that gives a general sense of the times of the day things happen.
This is why they are already at the door before you come in from work at the same time every day. A clear daily routine will help your dog know when it's time to keep busy with play, exercise, or just lay down and relax.
Looking for more ways to tire your dog out? Check out these dog friendly swimming holes in Ottawa to visit when the weather is warm!
Want to keep up to date about dog stuff in Ottawa? Join my mailing list!
