Dog boredom

[jarox]

My large breed dog sleeps all day and all night. She's 5&1/2 and I have 3 kids at home so am at home with her every day. She goes for her morning walk and then comes back has breakfast and the rest of the day she sleeps in her bed. The only change to this is if we take her for a day out somewhere but obviously this depends on what we are doing. Most of the time we are in and out with the kids.

She doesn't play at all. Not interested in toys or playing with the kids. She loves food but is on a strict diet because she's so lazy so can't have treats etc. She goes out for a wee in the garden and then straight back to her bed. she doesn't spend any time in the garden even if we are sat outside. In the day you wouldn't even know she was in the house!

I would struggle to get her out for another walk in the day but if my DH is home in time he will take her out again after tea.

Is it normal for a dog to be this lazy or do you think something is wrong with her? She was never like this as a pup but has calmed down a lot in the last few years!

I just worry she's not stimulated enough or happy but don't know what more I can do without walking her again!

That sounds extreme. Has her thyroid level been checked?

Go to the park throw a ball over and over
Join an agility or fly ball class
Do some training
Make yourself really interesting

Did you have her from a puppy? We looked after a 2 year old former street dog for a while, and she was a bit the same. I guessed she was used to not wasting energy... maybe yours is just content? I feel like they 'misbehave ' when not stimulated enough

What breed is she?

She's a Rhodesian ridgeback. We have had her from a puppy and she used to play a lot on a walk with other dogs etc. But now she just trots by the side of me she doesn't run around so it's hard to give her a good run... she doesn't play ball or fetch a stick and refuses to go in water so no swimming etc! She does interact with other dogs but doesn't play!

I could take her to the vets and see what they say! She's got no other I'll symptoms. Just want her to be enjoying life a bit more!

Yeah vets sounds like a good idea then to rule things out. How long has she been like this?

Ridgies can be quite lazy. I have a friend with 3.

She has been like it a while.. but we've also had 3 children since her so I think part of it is just from getting less attention!

She does get out of bed whenever the cheese packets opened which makes me think she's ok just being very lazy!

I've tried to do some basic training and things at home just to keep her mind going but she's not interested unless there is reasonable food on offer!

Has anyone tried any of the boredom type toys? Kongs etc? She is a bit over weight so can't have too many treats but the plain bones she's not interested in!

Find a recipe for sardine cake to use as training rewards.

You could try dried sprats in a kong-type thing...they're quite low cal I guess and would fall out just easily enough to keep her interest

As she's quite foody, I would suggest trying to deliver food in enrichment toys, so that she has to work for it - Kong (various varieties inc. Classic, wobbler, gyro), Nina Ottosson and similar

The canine enrichment Facebook group has lots of good ideas

The Kong Wobble is a hit with most dogs, you can put their normal kibble in at dinner time, and a few extra treats as rewards. My dog can play with it for an hour at a time.

You could try a fun agility or tricks class?

You might just have a very chilled dog!