Do dogs get bored?

[handlemecarefully]

Very attached to my new puppy already, but finding that she is another 'person' / thing to feel guilty about.

I worry that she doesn't get enough attention / stimulation because life is busy and I have two under 4 years to look after. In terms of concentrated focus on herself she doesn't get a great deal...Am I just totally barmy, or does anybody else feel a bit apprehensive about whether they are giving their dog quality of life (I realise that this thread sounds a bit surreal because I am tipsy, but I'm serious! - in my sober moments this is praying on my mind)

[expatinscotland]

yes. haven't you watched 'it's me or the dog'?

[ShaysMummy]

They get bored, then they rip the house apart- period!!
my 2 did!!
Mine have taken a back seat since ds came along and are no longer 'top dogs'- excuse the pun. they arent happy about it but they handle it and dont take it out on ds who climbs all over them and takes the piss.
but they can handle it- they are both females.
:o :o :o

[handlemecarefully]

mine hasn't ripped the house apart and she is a pup (13 weeks), is this a good sign?

I am going downstairs now to give her a big smoochey hug

[harpsichordcarrier]

yes, they do. you are not being surreal/barmy at all.
bored dogs are sad dogs.

[VeniVidiVickiQV]

Bored dogs end up DESTRUCTIVE dogs IME...well not MY experience, my PILs experience......

[ShaysMummy]

mine was 10 weeks when she started chewing furniture, but we went back for her sister 3 days and nights of no sleep later, and she improved no end. she was no longer bored or lonely.
i have a particulaly destructive breed, coz theyre so clever- :o
their little brains need constant stimulation!!

[handlemecarefully]

Ok - my dog is not sad, she's a happy little thing, so I think I am worrying too much. Have just rubbed noses with her and given her a doggy treat. All is well.

I expect that she gets more stimulation than I realise from the fact that we are mostly at home (even if not exclusively concentrating her) and have a lot of visitors....

[handlemecarefully]

Tell me I'm right!

[buffythenappyslayer]

i often feel guilty about our pup aswell!hes 6 months,and i always think he doesnt get enough attention,as ive got 5 kids to deal with aswell!he always lets me know though when hes feeling left out,usually by chewing on my expensive shoes or my clothes!(hes totally become attatched to me and only listens to me.also follows me everywhere and cries if he cant see me!bless!!)

[handlemecarefully]

I expect he really enjoys having 5 playmates around!

[buffythenappyslayer]

hes just a big softy!he lets dd climb all over him!and she pulls his lips up to kiss his teeth!!yuk!!!

[buffythenappyslayer]

what breed is yours?

[handlemecarefully]

Bernese Mountain Dog - yours?

[buffythenappyslayer]

japanese akita.we thought about getting a burmese,but they grow HUGE!!!our akita will be big,but not as big as yours!!

[handlemecarefully]

Tell me about it!

She's already enormous (but cute with it)

[handlemecarefully]

I've just googled Japanese akita - they are beautiful!

[buffythenappyslayer]

ours is gorg!!we got him and we saw his dad,well,enormous isnt the word for it!!diesel is big now,he'll stand on his back legs and his heads almost upto my shoulders!akitas dont tend to get wide,so he doesnt look that big compared to some you see.

[Ellbell]

HMC... did you see tonight's Dog Borstal? If you give your dog too much attention (like the woman with the Ridgeback in the programme) she will become excessively attached to you and will not be able to cope on her own, leading to separation anxiety. (Obviously it depends on the individual dog how prone to this they are...) Don't feel guilty. You do give your pup attention, but she can't demand it 24/7... and you'll be taking a rod for your own back if you try to give her attention 24/7. Just give her lots of love and attention when you can and allow her to just chill out and do her own doggy thing the rest of the time. She'll be fab, I'm sure.

[handlemecarefully]

No didn't see that Ellbell, but wish I had!

[buffythenappyslayer]

i tried putting a pic on here before,but the photo was too big!
hes so cute though!hes brindle coloured.and really protective of me and the kids.hes not that bothered with dh!!
burmese get protective aswell dont they?is she ok with your kids?i was worried about having a big dog with the kids,but hes brilliant with them

[handlemecarefully]

Very good indeed with the kids so far....actually, am quite concerned for her that 23 month old ds keeps trying to run her over with his fire engine!

[Ellbell]

Sounds like you're doing everything right, hmc. I am trying my dog for the first time today with the calming pheromone diffuser (see my thread below re. terrible fight) and will let you know if it works. The diffuser is expensive (£25 - lasts a month) but if it has the calming effect that it's meant to have it'll be worth it.

Big dogs, ime, are often the most gentle. Bernese are lovely - I'm very jealous.

[bubblerock]

There was an Akita offered on our Freecycle last week!

[handlemecarefully]

Ellbell - just read your thread. How horrible! Best if luck with the diffuser...

[JVickers]

my best friend got her first puppy ever and it was an Akita, the thing is the female dog is absolutely massive, enormous! Massive!, Huge I cannot explain how big she is, people mistake her for a male. She is also very dominant and aggressive. Think its because my friend never ever had a dog before. I refuse to go round because she mauls you and tries to climb on top of you its so awful. My Dh used to have to go round and help put her in the kitchen for bed because she is too heavy for my friend.

No ta!
Jo x

oh yes, dogs do get bored. if your busy get a kong and fill it with food, biscuits, peanut butter and put in freezer so it take them a while to get through it.