We all are busy with work and other commitments and we can't be home and play with our lovely pets all the time. Though some dogs can go a few hours or even days without human interaction, other dogs can become restless, frustrated, or even destructive when left alone with no occupation. That is why it will be great news for you to know that there are many wonderful toys and activities that you can offer your pet to help entertain him or her, make his or her day more interesting, and help curb things like excessive barking or chewing.
Interactive Toys
There are different toys that one can purchase for a dog, and these include interactive toys that help keep the dog physically and mentally occupied when the owner is not around. Toys that force them to work for their food are very good for their mental well-being because they exercise their brains trying to solve puzzles. Some examples are toys that have several hinged parts; the parts can only open when the toy is moved in a specific manner, such as being slid or patted. First, begin with simple puzzles which would be on easier levels, and later as the child gets used to playing the game, gradually make it difficult. Some examples include leaving some toys behind for them to play with while you are away, or even leaving some small portions of their favorite food around the house for them to ‘hunt’. This triggers their hunting instincts, to look for food in the survival instinctary concept.
Chew Toys
Here also offering a range of chew toys is another constructive approach to combating boredom and anxiety during times of solitude. Providing your dog with an object that makes him happy to chew and gnaw on it causes the release of endorphins in his head which makes him feel good. If you have a puppy, it also helps to soothe the discomfort of the growing of their teeth. Second of all, chewing is just a happy and therapeutic pastime that can be quite soothing to many dogs.
When it comes to chew toys there are an awful lot of good ones in the market from nylon bones to flavored compressed rawhide ones. This largely depends on your dog’s chewing and eating behavior so you need to make your decision based on this factor. An aggressive strong chewer is going to need a more durable toy that consists of dense rubber or thick rawhide. Soft toys and other soft materials suit mild chewers since they can be a way of satisfying the urge to chew. T
Food Puzzles
What was also mentioned earlier, food puzzles (or food dispensing toys) are one of the best toys for interaction for your dog to help it spend its mental energy and enjoy hours of fun. They range from simple spherical shapes to cubes, twirling gyroscopic discs, and tiered mazes. The right one will depend on the natural food drive your dog has, and the way he can solve certain tasks. Difficulty level is also a consideration when going for the best puzzle toy for your pet.
First attempt normal mazes before proceeding to the complicated ones more so the complex multi-chamber ones. This way your dog gains confidence and feels at ease when handling the toy to achieve the main aim which is to get a tasty reward. If they first meet with too much of a challenge or even just a perceived nuisance, they may avoid any attempts at it. Hence, do remember their ability level and select some interesting puzzles that are still funny without placing the competitors in a difficult position.
Kong Toys
If there is one thing that any article that seeks to describe how to entertain dogs when home alone should not be without then it would be Kong toys. Kongs come in many sizes, shapes, and types of recipes, and they are perfect for addressing behavioral issues that are caused by things like boredom, stress, or hyperactivity. This should then be replaced with something yummy such as peanut butter, wet dog food, cheese, or your favorite tasty treat for the hollow core. Dogs crave and salivate over the Kong and will chew and nudge it for various minutes to get the last bit of food inserted in the Kong.
Some owners freeze the stuffed Kongs before, and this adds an exciting twist that you have to work harder just to get the filling out of it. It also serves the purpose of a teething aid by giving a cool sensation to puppies when they chew on it. Just do not overload on the treats during puzzle time and give lesser portions during normal feeding times to avoid adding bulk the pet may not need. It should be noted that the key goal, when interacting with filled chew toys, is to provide physical and mental activity while restricting calorie consumption within the proper parameters.
Treat Dispensing Rollers
Treat dispensing rollers to ensure that your pup receives constant rewards in case you have to leave him alone to play. Common designs include areas with grooves or channels designed to accommodate dog biscuits, kibble trails, small training treats, or smaller portions of biscuits. Only a small portion of the food item is released with each spin of the roller to quickly grab the attention of your dog to the next portion soon after it has eaten the previous portion.
Such disproportionate size and the fact that the treats spit out in irregular intervals add a certain unpredictability to the fun for eager dogs. It triggers their foraging behavior and is a lot of fun for the dogs as well as it allows them to entertain themselves whenever they want a snack. All that is necessary is to extend or reduce the openings on the roller to a proper size for your dog’s favorite chews to be held securely.
Conclusion
Dogs should not be left for extreme hours without the company of other animals or people to play with them. However, if sometimes you have to leave your pet for quite reasonable intervals of time, offering toys that stimulate your pet’s instincts and preoccupy their mind is the closest thing. Whether your pet receives kibbles through food puzzles, chews toys, treats in balls, or has rubber Kongs to stuff, the reward of being able to work it out on his own in terms of scavenging, foraging, or chewing will assist in preventing your pet from being occupied in wrong ways when you are not around.
