Bored Puppy! Help!!?

Question

My 5 month old puppy, (Mini Schnauzer-Terrier mix,) is bored at home! He has lots of toys: soft squeaky toys, nylabones, edible nylabones, a rope, cow hooves.. But he still seems bored. We try to play fetch with him but he gets bored with that really easily and just lies down on the couch or at our feet. We pet him all the time and cuddle, take him out several times a day and run around outside. He stays in his crate during the day while we are at work but we come home during lunch to take him out and play with him. Any suggestions/help would be appreciated! I don't know what else we can do!

Sorry! When I say 'bored,' I mean he sits at our feet or on the couch just staring at us, sometimes whining. He has food and water and it doesn't always mean he has to potty because we'll take him out and he'll just sit in the grass doing nothing.

I wish we could take him to work but we're not allowed. :(

Answer 1

Sounds like you do a lot already and like you are providing him with lots of attention and outlets for his energy. Maybe one thing you can add is socialization with other dogs. You might already do this, but assuming he has had all his shots, a regular romp with the pack at the dog park might help. Also, basic obedience classes for puppies is a good way to socialize your dog with other dogs and with other people. When you take him out during the day, is this for walks or is he running around in the yard? If he is mostly running in the yard, this could be part of the problem too because dogs need to go for walks in the neighborhood every day. Your dog may be needing to get out of his immediate home and yard. I know this may not be the case, so gl with your dog, you sound like great people.

Answer 2

What about interactive toys? Something that will keep him playing while you are gone.

You can get them online or at Petco/Petsmart.

Here's a website for the pictures and average price range.
http://www.pet-shop.net/html/active.html

Talk To Me Treat Ball
Record your Voice - Leave your Dog a Message! The message is motion sensitive and will play over & over again. Message is 15 seconds - change it as often as you like. Talk To Me Treats will dispense randomly, a clean healthy treat.
Talk To Me Tag - Works with other Tags.
Great for traveling. Plastic construction. Battery required
Mfg: Talk to Me - Aspen Pet Products
Color: Varies


Talk To Me Laser Ball
Record your own Personal Message
Record a 15 second message and change it as often as you like. Motion activated lights and message. Treats also randomly dispense from ball as your dog plays with the ball.
Durable and long lasting plastic construction.
Sight .. Sound .. Touch .. Smell .. Taste - It appeals to all 5 senses. Battery required
Mfg: Talk to Me - Aspen Pet Products
Color: Varies
Laser Ball Small 3.5 in

Buster® Food Cube
Buster Cube is made of durable plastic and easy to use.
Put the dryfood through the opening and turn to distribute the food into various compartments inside, then turn the central cyclinder to adjust the level of difficulty.
Size 4.5 inches Colors: Blue and Red

Answer 3

puppies need lots of rest. I wouldn't worry too much about what he is doing. It seems normal. Puppies don't play all day long. Figure out which toys are his favorites and keep the others put away where he can get to them but they are not in his face all day. Change the toys he has out so it is exciting and new to him. He seems like a normal puppy from what you have said.

Answer 4

After being in a crate most of the day he needs to get out for exercise, his breed is an active breed; the running around playing fetch doesn't sound like his cup of tea so to replace the 'fetching activity I suggest taking him for walks on a leash. Perhaps chasing a ball? My JR is obsessed with chasing a ball.

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

When you say bored, what do you mean?

Just because he wants to lay on the couch, isn't a bad thing. Maybe he just dosent want to play.

So long as he isnt being destructive, I wouldn't worry. Dogs don't play with toys, etc all day long.

To Add: You may want to take him to a vet just for a checkup if he hasn't had one yet to rule out any medical issues.

Answer 6

If you haven't taken him to obedience class already, then it would be a great time to start now, because that will give him something to do and it's always great to give you dog something new to learn. Maybe get him some "Kong" toys, which you can actually buy them at WalMart, Petco, or Petsmart. If he is very entergetic, then try some agility classes! Just type that in and your city, state, and see what you find. Good luck!

Answer 7

If you pet him and cuddle him alot, you've probably spoiled him. Puppies are not unlike children when they have been spoiled, they don't forget. Maybe considered getting him a playmate. The local ASPCA/Humane Society had lots of buddies available. They would have each other for company when you are not home and may help relieving your puppies constant need for cuddling. Hope it helps.

Answer 8

Make certain you take him to a vet to assure he is healthy.

Maybe he is just a lazy puppy, not as active as you are. Give him time to grow up. Also, don't overwhelm him with toys and attention. Keep him focused on one thing at a time.

Answer 9

we got this toy from pet smart, its this ball with little rubber nubs on it and its battery powered, you turn it on and it bounces and rolls and hums... my dog loves it and will play with it for hours. i think it was only like $15, worth a shot right?

Answer 10

Sounds like you are doing fine. He just isn't a high energy dog.