How to Stop a Bored Dog From Destroying Your House

Every day you come home to discover another pair of chewed up shoes, scratches on your furniture, and some other barely identifiable item shredded across your living room. While in some cases it could be anxiety, most of the time it’s just because you have a bored dog.

Boredom can affect any dog, but some breeds, especially working breeds, are naturally more energetic. Their overabundance of energy makes them the perfect candidate for a bored dog because they are typically bred to work, and are very intelligent. It’s hard to expect them to sit home in silence if you’re away for long periods of time, and not go a little crazy.

Huskies, for example, are notorious for getting into trouble. I know a few of them that have been busted for destroying their parent’s furniture, and even scratching the paint off their walls! Incidents like this don’t make them bad dogs, but bored dogs. It’s costly and annoying to replace damaged items all the time, so it’s understandable if you’re frustrated, but try to keep in mind that dogs sometimes need a little extra training (and a whole lot of patience). You should never ignore these issues because ingesting foreign objects can be hazardous to your dog’s health.

The first place to start when dealing with a bored dog is to make sure you are giving them enough opportunity to burn off energy.

There are plenty of chances to let your dog burn off energy. There are dog parks, dog daycares, and you can even set up doggy playdates with friends and neighbors. If you love walking or running, take your dog with you. If you don’t, maybe a dog daycare is a good option. You could even hire dog walkers, and for parents out there, get your kids involved. It’s good for tiring out dogs and kids, alike.

Another fun part of playtime is all the great dog toys available!

My mom gets me a Bark Box every month which comes with all kinds of awesome treats and toys. Last month, I got a doggy newspaper that had over eight squeakers in it, and I was in doggy heaven! In fact, a lot of the toys they send are stuffed with another toy and are very durable, giving me more time to work on ripping them apart. I get so busy with my toys that I almost forget about dad’s slippers!

Amazon also has a bunch of great toys, and if your parents have Prime, they get two-day shipping to get your fun goodies faster. Here’s a few I currently have my eyes on:

Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel and Puzzle Plush Squeaking Toys

Hide the squirrels and let your dog find them in this adorable plush log. This toy comes in different sizes depending on your dog’s size or ability to destroy stuffed animals.

Unique Shuffle Puzzle Smart Toy for Puppies by SunGrow

This puzzle toy is not only a fun game, but it rewards your dog with treats and helps them improve their concentration. It’s perfect for any bored dog, especially one motivated by food.

KONG Floppy Knots Dog Toy

My aunt got me this guy for Christmas, and I had a blast with it! There are different textures, knots to chew on, and under the material is a rope toy. This one is perfect if you are sick of picking toy stuffing up off your floors.

No matter what the breed, your dog needs exercise every day

According to PetMD, dogs should get a minimum of 30 minutes every day, but more active breeds could need up to one or even two hours of activity daily depending on their health and energy levels. What is your dog getting right now? If it’s not quite measuring up, try to incorporate time for them into your schedule, as you would yours. Remember, a well-exercised dog is not a bored dog, and is less likely to destroy your house.

What has your bored dog destroyed lately? Share your story in the comments.

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