Bored dogs

[Chickerdoodle13]

Definitely, a kiddie pool is a GREAT thing for dogs!

I was also going to suggest a bone or toy that you can stick treats in. They even have balls which you can put little pieces of food and I've seen dogs play with those for hours!

On hot summer days, you can usually find our cattle dog hiding in the shade or laying flat out on his side on the concrete in the garage.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Thanks for the suggestions, y'all! I forgot about the Kong toys. They had settled to the bottom of the toy box. I pulled them out this morning and loaded them up with kibble and peanut butter. They have been systemactically working on those.

I have tried kiddie pools before. We stare suspiciously at them as if they will turn into a BATH at any minute. They won't even walk through them. They do love the hose. We do that sometimes in the evening.

They fight over the big bones and the little bones just don't last very long. I need to go get some cow hooves. Those just get so stinky sometimes.

Lucy seems pretty happy to lay about. Lily is my bored puppy. She's currently sharing a cup of ice with me.

 

[Kaitie09]

We use the kongs for our dogs too. We take them and fill them with peanut butter, and them put the in the freezer for about 3-4 hours. We give them to them when people arrive (they are big jumpers) and they take off to their beds. they normally last 1-1 1/2 hours trying to get every nook and cranny cleaned, and it cools them down too.

 

[Okie Amazon]

The "hide-n-seek" suggestion is a great one. Use a (dry) food treat, (dried chicken jerky is great, and you can tear it in small pieces) give them a couple to let them get the scent and desire for the treat, then "hide" one just under the sofa edge, for example, letting them see you do it at first. Say "find it!" and let them get the treat. This way they get the idea that "find it" means get the goodie. When you see that they know that "find it" means to look for the goodie, you can start really hiding it. The great thing about this is that the mental work-out (using their nose) is actually MORE tiring than physical exercise. When teaching our young pups to track, they will be full of beans, but after tracking just two or three very short (<10 foot) puppy trails, they will keel over and snooze like they just ran a marathon! Plus you can hide a bunch of treats, turn both dogs loose to hunt them, and you don't have to do anything more but sip your iced tea!

 

[HEChicken]

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I love this idea!

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I forgot to mention these. I like the hooves because they are cheap - $1 apiece in my area - compared to rawhide or other chew toys, and if anything, last longer. I bought a dozen last summer and still have a few because I just pull one out and give it to them now and then when they're bored. Keeps them busy for quite awhile at a stretch.