If you work full time and leave your dog home alone, you might be worried about your dog getting bored by itself in the house, or even develop destructive tendencies stemming from its boredom. Here are some things you can do to keep your dog from getting too bored:

Get a Kong

Kong toys are great for occupying a dog who’s home alone. They’re toys which you put some treats in. Throughout the day, the dog chews and plays with the Kong, slowly getting out the treats. Kongs are great for treat/food-driven dogs. Just remember that your dog’s treat consumption should be included in its overall food intake.

Get a Dog Door

If you keep your dog inside when you’re at work and have a backyard, consider getting a dog door for your dog to be able to go in and out. Of course you don’t want your dog trailing in dirt from your yard into your house at will, so one thing you can do is make the room in which you put the doggie door like your dog’s playroom when it’s alone. Confine your dog to this room and the yard. This way instead of roaming the house unattended and getting bored, your dog can roam the yard and part of the house.

Leave a Toy

Make sure to leave a couple of your dog’s favorite toys in its room when you leave.

Get a Playmate

Do you have a neighbor who also leaves during the day and has a dog? Are your dog the best of friends? If you feel comfortable leaving your dogs alone, consider leaving them together. This way the two dogs can keep each other company during the day. Remember, however, that you have to be totally confident that the two of your dogs can be left with each other safely and that the main dog in the house is comfortable with having its friend on its territory.

Dogs get bored just like people. How do you keep your dog from getting bored when it’s home alone?