Back to School Blues – Tackling dog boredom

Pet Insurance Australia is urging all Australians to consider their dogs mental wellbeing as the bell rings the beginning of another school year.

“As school goes back many dogs will be feeling the emptiness of their home,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. “This is the time of year when the excitement and entertainment of the school holidays comes to an end, and our pets return to spending time on their own.”

The major concern during this time of year is dog boredom.

“A bored dog can become destructive and a nuisance in terms of escaping and barking,” Crighton warns. “It’s advisable that dog owners take steps to ensure their pets are not bored as their prime source of entertainment, being the children, return to school.”

Joseph Parsons, Director Aussie Dog Products agrees that boredom can be a huge factor affecting pets around this time of year.

“Dog owners should remember to go back to the life essentials and duty of care,” Joseph says. “Providing their pet with food, water, shelter and air but also enrichment. They need to provide enrichment toys to stimulate them while they are home alone and remember that a dog will look forward them coming home so apart from playing with the dog upon their return, take the dog for a walk daily. Owners should also remember that they are their dog’s world and they wait for them patiently while they are away.”

BACK TO SCHOOL BLUES TOP TIPS

• Walk your dog before you leave for school/work
• Enrich their environment
• Consider boredom busting dog toys that stimulate your dog’s mind
• Have home alone dog toys and remove when you arrive home
• Play with your dog when you get home
• Weekly training sessions
• Special weekend adventures

“Training is also important,” Nadia from Pet Insurance Australia says. “A well-trained dog is a happy dog and much less likely to show signs of destruction.”

Joseph from Aussie Dog Products agrees.

“It is essential to have your dog properly trained as this will avoid many of the well documented problems that we see in the media from time to time. It takes a sensible person to be a good dog owner. The dogs ok, it’s the other end of the lead you have to worry about. Remember a bored dog is a destructive force in many ways.”

Pet Insurance Australia also reminds pet owners to provide ample water and shelter.

“It’s a good idea to have an extra bowl of water particularly if you are not going to be home during the middle of the day to refill an empty bowl,” Crighton says. “Also consider shade, if your dog has been spending most of the holidays lazing on the cool tiles in the kitchen or bathroom, contemplate making a cool outside spot available.”

Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia