How to Keep My Dog Entertained While I'm at Work

Some dogs can be pretty self-sufficient when it comes to fulfilling their own entertainment needs, but others do best when given options to pass the time while you're away. The main objectives for keeping your dog entertained when alone are to prevent injury to himself, damage to the house and incessant barking. But it also helps stimulate his natural curiosity and need to chew. Many options make this easy to achieve and gentle on your wallet.

Instructions

    • 1

      Seek out gnawing products that have a long-lasting chew factor, such as bully sticks. Invest a few more dollars for an elk antler, which can last up to and longer than a year. Avoid giving rawhide when you're not home to supervise, because its sticky texture can get stuck in his throat.

    • 2

      Vetinfo.com suggests stuffing food-related toys like a Kong with unsalted/sugar-free peanut butter -- though not recommended if allergic to peanuts -- which can also be combined with apple/carrot pieces. Cook oatmeal with chicken stock and applesauce, fill a Kong with the mixture, and freeze it for a longer-lasting treat. Load a hard plastic Buster Cube with dry kibble, and your dog will spend hours working to get that last morsel.

    • 3

      Make it seem as though people are in the room, by keeping the radio or television on while you're away. Remember that dogs have much keener hearing than humans, so turn the volume lower than you would for yourself.

    • 4

      Entrust a neighborhood teen or adult to walk your dog in your absence -- which engages all his senses, works his muscles and encourages a nice, long nap once back home. The ASPCA notes that dogs need a daily exercise minimum of 30 minutes, to exhaust their natural energy level.