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How to Keep a Dog Busy While at Work: 5 Great Methods

Kristin Hitchcock

By Kristin Hitchcock

Corgi playing with tech toy dog

While we’re home, our dogs are often plenty entertained. Whether it is cuddling with us on the couch or following us around the house, most dogs are content when their people are around.

However, it can be a completely different story when we are at work. Without us to keep them entertained, dogs can quickly become bored. Sometimes, this can lead to destructive behaviors as the dogs try to keep themselves entertained. It’s a good idea to offer ways to keep your dog entertained during that day that doesn’t involve eating through your drywall!

As dog owners, we know just how hard it can be to keep your dog entertained without any input from you. Below, we’ve listed some of the best methods that worked for us, even if your dog seems rather intent on counter-surfing and getting into your leftovers.

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Top 5 Ways to Keep Dogs Busy While at Work

1. Use Puzzle Toys

white dog playing puzzle toy
Photo Credit: Lenti Hill, Shutterstock

Utilizing puzzle toys is typically the best option for keeping your dog entertained. There are many different ways you can go about doing this—and many different puzzle toys out there for you to purchase.

The most basic puzzle toy is a Kong. You can simply stuff this toy with peanut butter, freeze it, and it will keep your dog busy for hours. If your dog doesn’t like peanut butter, you can fill it with other things. For instance, we’ve heard of people using Greek yogurt, though we have not tried this ourselves.

Kong does make some filling options, but it is often easier just to use whatever you have around your house.

There are lots of other puzzle toys too. Usually, they involve some sort of treat hiding system. You hide the treat in the toy before you go to work, and then your dog spends some time trying to find it.

While this method is sure to keep your dog entertained for a bit, it does require refilling. No matter what puzzle toy you use, you’ll need to refill it eventually. It likely won’t keep your dog entertained all day, but it may work for an hour or two.

Pros
  • Sure to keep most dogs entertained
  • Easily available
  • Doesn’t involve much input from you
Cons
  • Only works for a few hours
  • Requires regular refilling

2. Hire a Dog Walker

Dog walker
Photo Credit: hedgehog94, Shutterstock

Of course, the last thing you probably want to do is hire a dog walker. However, sometimes, it is one of the few ways to keep your dog entertained throughout the day when you can’t be there. Most methods on this list only work for a few hours after you leave. Therefore, it is best to schedule the dog walker for later in the day when your dog is more likely to be bored.

If you have the money, this method is a simple way to give your dog something fun to do throughout the day. It is best to hire one for every day that your dog is home alone for an extended period, so this can be quite expensive.

Pros
  • Works for most dogs
  • Requires little effort from you
Cons
  • Expensive

3. Get a Dog Cam

man watching dog on cctv pet camera
Photo Credit: Andrey Popov, Shutterstock

You can also get a dog cam that has the ability to shoot out treats. Throughout the day, randomly sign in through the app and shoot treats out to your dog through the day. While this will only keep your dog entertained for a short period of time, many short periods of time throughout the day can prevent your dog from being destructive.

Usually, this works best if you use it alongside other methods.

Of course, dog cams are not cheap, and you’ll need to pay quite a bit to set one up. Many of them have subscription services as well. You’ll need to determine if your canine would do best with a dog walker or dog cam, especially if you only have money for only one.

Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Allows you to keep track of your dog throughout the day
Cons
  • Expensive
  • Only provides entertainment for a few moments

4. Self-Fetching Toy

Dog playing with toys
Image Credit: skeeze, Pixabay

This toy is a bit like a puzzle toy. However, instead of searching for treats, your dog is using the device to play fetch. Usually, this involves the toy shooting the ball out, your dog getting it, and then your canine placing it into a hole. Of course, this method does require some training, as you’ll have to teach your dog to put it into the correct hole. Therefore, it is perhaps only best for more intelligent breeds.

However, if your dog likes to run and is on the smarter side, this is a great option. It allows them to run off some energy and get mentally stimulated at the same time.

Usually, these toys are not terribly expensive. The major downside is that you’ll need a long, open area for them to be used indoors, such as a hallway.

Pros
  • Provides mental and physical stimulation
  • Works continuously
Cons
  • Requires a long, open area
  • Requires training

5. Rotate Dog Toys

dog pulling toy playing
Image Credit: Josh Sorenson, Pexels

Your dog probably has a few different dog toys. However, just like children, dogs can become bored of toys eventually. Luckily, you can switch toys around to make them “new” again.

For instance, if your dog really likes to chew you can purchase an array of chew toys. Then, only make a few available at a time. Switch toys out every week or so to keep them new and exciting.

Sadly, not all dogs like chew toys. While this may seem like an easy option, your dog might just not take to it. Plus, buying so many toys can get expensive over time, especially if your dog tends to break them.

Pros
  • Easy and inexpensive (once you buy all the toys)
  • Works great for dogs that like to chew
Cons
  • Doesn’t work for all dogs
  • High startup cost

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Conclusion

Hopefully, with these five tips, you’ll find some way to keep your dog entertained while you’re at work. Often, the best method is the one that your dog likes the most, so be sure to also consider your dog’s needs and likes. If your dog is very active, consider a dog walker or a self-fetch toy. If they love to chew, rotate chew toys so that they always have something fun to chew on.

Puzzle toys are a great option for any dog if your only concern is keeping them mentally entertained. However, it can be difficult to figure out which puzzle toys your dog likes best. For this reason, we highly recommend that you take some time to figure out what your dog likes before you leave them home alone with a new toy.


Featured Image Credit: Xolodan, Shutterstock

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