Bored?

[Jeanine Bandini]

Wally has been acting "down" lately. I am sure it has to do with me having a cold and not taking him running! Anyone else have this problem? How do you get your dog exercise when you cant exercise? I have also thought that he needs an indoor job (Any suggestions?)

[Sharon Banks]

Sounds like Wally needs a play mate lol! I tryed to get DH to let me get another doodle for a play mate for Jake. They really get bored.

[Shirley Splude]

Hi Jeanine, I put Lillie on the treadmill when we can't get out. She goes on for 30 min. at 4.2....she really likes it! There are times when I'm walking by the room and I see her on it waiting for me :) Hope this helps

[Sharon Banks]

I would be afraid he would fall and get hurt.

[Heidi Magyar]

I love the treadmill idea!!

I always feel guilty when I can't exercise the "kids" enough, but since I have 2 Doodles that are sisters, they are pretty creative about activity. Someone mentioned that her dog did "zoomies" in the house and my dogs do that too. We also have a long area inside where we play fetch and that helps a lot.

I think I worry about it more than they do!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We actually do have a group here on DK called Doodle Doldrums (see, we have a group for everything, lol!)

We play indoor fetch with soft stuffed balls. If you have stairs, this can be great exercise, but even without them, it satisfies JD's need to retrieve somewhat.

Practicing training and teaching tricks can also be a great way to help keep a dog from getting bored during the winter months. Never underestimate how tiring mental stimulation can be for dogs. A fifteen minute training session can really wear a dog out!

[Adina P]

Practice some old training, teach him new commands, teach some tricks, make an old obedience command more challenging, teach him to retrieve household items: keys, remote, etc. Although he's probably wanting what he's used to because dogs like routine, he isn't likely bored the way we get bored. Maybe he is empathizing with your cold.

[Heidi Magyar]

That's true - dogs are so empathic! When I don't feel good they know it.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

We play fetch with soft indoor balls, hide and seek ( I put him in a down stay, hide, and then call him),  and he has one of those interactive toys I can fill with treats which he loves.  Short training sessions or refreshers -- always good. Left to his own devices, he plays his own version of hide and seek with Song, our cat...otherwise known as "torment the cat." 

[Jeanine Bandini]

Thanks for all the good ideas! Id LOVE to get another Doodle for him to have dog company but my husband is not on board with that right now.(so expensive!) Maybe in another year or two. The training and treadmill ideas are great! Who knew that dogs can get bored?!?