My dog is so bored all the time.

My dear kris, please don't think about getting another dog. You must admit you are a cat person, and you don't understand dogs. Why would you take another dog to bother you? Of course your dog is bored all the time! But you do nothing to change this. Do you think that if he has a yard now, he should be happy? I'll tell you. The answer is no. Unlike cats, dogs need to interact a lot with their owners in order to be happy. Dogs are more social animals than cats, don't expect your dog to act like a cat. He needs you to be happy. He needs you to spend some time with him. Having more space isn't enough. Find some time in your daily schedule and take him for a walk. At least 30 minutes a day. If you think you are able to walk two dogs for at least 30 minutes a day, then get another dog. If not, try to bring some joy to the dog you have now. He's an old guy, he will soon be gone and you'll regret you didn't do this earlier.

I think that your dog isn't bored, he is just slowing down because of his age. Most dogs do when they reached that old age stage. He is lazy to move but not bored. My idea of a bored dog beviour is different. I read somwhere that if a dog is bored one of the most noticeable character is chewing of almost eveything they can sink their teeth in. And they are often restless. Your dog is different, but I'm not a dog expert so I must be interpreting the situation wrongly. Why don't you ask a vet's opinion regarding this matter. For sure he/she can give you an accurate evaluation... I admire you for truly caring for your dog's welfare and hapiness.:)

Well since ytou mentioned the dog park, you obviously take your dog for walks. Sometimes, another dog isn't the answer. A dog will eat cat food if it is available to them because it smells and tastes good to dogs. I believe it is due to the high fat content. A toy may help but only if you interact and play with your dog with the new toy. I am afraid your dog is bored because he is not working. What I mean by this is that a dog wants to be lead/guided. A dog wants to work for his rewards (food/treats/praise) If you want a happier dog, your dog needs a routine, on schedule and daily. Exercise, discipline and reward, in that order will present a well rounded dog. I would start by preparing yourself, your lifestyle and schedule to take the dog out for walks, at least three times a day (even if you feed only once or twice a day). Be enthusiastic about it and switch up the walks to keep it interesting. Always walk, exercise before feeding. Never feed without having taken the dog out for a good walk prior. A simple way to discipline your dog is to simply have hit sit while you prepare his meal. For walks where it is not meal time afterward, simply stop in a park or take the dog home and interact with him, with a toy, a ball or a stick and have him play, tug-a-war or fetch. Reward him with enthusiastic praise or a treat and more play. This way you are covering the discipline and reward. Three walks sounds like a lot and it is but make at least one of them a good long one that is interesting for both yourself and your dog. Be enthusiastic. The others can simply be around the block or if you let your dog out into the yard, go with him. Interact with him. When he sniffs at stuff, talk to him, ask him what he is sniffing. Be a part of his experience. Entertain him with a ball or something or just talk and walk with him around the yard, letting him do his thing. 9 years old is not that old at all. That dog has some very good years left. My point here is that you must interact with your dog more. Be enthusiastic and empathetic in order to be able to effectively communicate with him. Build that bond and I am almost positive that you will notice a positive reaction within some time. The exercise,discipline and reward is most important and in that order. Never feed without taking the dog outside first. Preferably for a good walk. Find what works for you dog too. A ball may not interest him as it does other dogs. My dog doesn't do balls or bones but she loves sticks although I am not so keen on her chewing on sticks, for obvious reasons. I let her if I am right there and watching her. Sometimes when she is in the park off to under a bush sniffing, I go with her and get down to her level, asking her whats in there. I ask her "puppy dog smells" and her tail springs up. You can see a positive reaction to my being genuinely interested in what she is experiencing. I let her blaze the trail sometimes and I follow her. When she starts checking things out, I check it out with her. She loves this. After walks, I take her home and we play with her toys for a bit before her breakfast, afternoon snack and dinner time. Before bed she gets a snack but has to do tricks for it and is always totally up for it. I have been finding new tricks to teach her and what is most amazing is that she is totally into doing whatever it takes to get her snacks. I make her cookies that consist of brown rice flour, oat bran, water, olive oil and peanut butter. I spruce up the recipe with flax seeds and sesame seeds, along with crushed almonds. I have found something she really really likes and let me tell you she lights right up when I mention the word. What does your dog really like? Besides cat food? If you want the cookie recipe, shoot me a private message. I'd be happy to send it. The point is, being treats or toys, find something that lights your dog up, peaks his interest and take it with you to the park, on his walks, whatever and use it to interact with your dog. Your dog is requiring stimulation. Switch up your walks, enter the park from a different angle if you always go to the same park. Take him out more often. Be totally enthusiastic as he will pick this up from you but be prepared to provide something in the walk or during the walk or outing or during play time that will justify the height of enthusiasm. Reward and praise him when his reactions are positive ones. It is a lot more work that most people realize to have and maintain a happy dog. It is time consuming as well so work it into your lifestyle and have fun with it. Your dog loves you and just wants to have fun with you too. Going out into the yard, by himself is boring. Go with him. When you are working on something at home, involve him. Even if he is just laying near you watching, give him something like a toy, a cookie (after he has sat nicely when you asked him too) but just involve him. Never treat your dog with out asking him to do something for it. Even if it is just sit. A dog wants to work for reward. Makes for a more content dog.

If its not that long ago since you moved house he may not be properly relaxed and feel safe in the new house, just like children that find it hard to feel at home in a new house. I would say get some dog toys but you said it might not even help. You could try feeding him different dog food to see if i gives him more energy to be abit more active.

Did you consider finding him a FEMALE companion or playing a new game together?

I read this in an article written by animal psychologists that all dogs simply live their full life in boredom. They say that because we walk them pretty much at the same time each day that they sort of develop a sense of a routine and do not have much to look forward to. As they get older I suppose they are some people where as they no longer find much motivating. Good luck with you dog.

Oh I am sorry to hear that your dog is bored. My dog is bored too. He sleeps all day and whenever I got time I will play with, talk and cuddle him. He's cute he is poodle brown.

Some animals may seem like they are bored to us. It is probably just our ay of thinking. it may just be their manner and personality to behave the way they do.

I think your dog will be happy if you yourself have some time to play with him. You might to schedule some mornings afternoons to play with your sad dog. I notice that some dogs just need to have company, not necessarily another dog, but I think humans make good company too. My dogs for instance are so happy whenever I am around. Otherwise, all they do is just sleep the whole day and only becomes active when I am around.

hello friend. why is your dog bored all the time ? why not eat something better ? maybe he catch a cold in this term . just let your best dog doctor to have a look for this to protect the disease for worse thing to happen here. so maybe you can buy some better or healthy food for the dog. best wishes.

maybe your dog is lonely. better find another dog for him to play with.