How to Keep a Bored Dog Entertained While You're Busy

As much as we might like to spend the day playing and pampering our pooches, life typically has other plans. Most of us have schedules filled with work meetings, emails, house chores, errands, kids… the list goes on. So, giving our pups attention 24/7 isn’t exactly possible, even if we wish we could.

If you’re anything like me, someone who works from home and has a dog who’s very aware that you’re still in the house, you know that guilty feeling all too well. Even after a nice long walk in the morning and a belly full of breakfast, my pup will still often look up at us with those big eyes, clearly wondering what’s next.

I’ll be trying to answer emails or fold some washing and there’s my dog, nudging my elbow, dropping toys at my feet and just staring me down with those irresistible eyes as if I owe him an explanation as to why I’m ignoring him.

Whether you’re remote working, a stay-at-home parent, recovering from surgery or simply trying to get through your to-do list in peace, finding ways to keep your bored dog entertained during the day is a real challenge. And that’s exactly what this blog is here to help with.

Yep! Just like us humans, our dogs can get bored. We're not talking about when our pups happily laze on the sofa or in the sun, it's when they're chewing the corner of your rug, barking at nothing or following you from room to room like your furry little shadow because they're under-stimulated.

Dogs are smart, social, and full of energy and in the wild, they'd be sniffing, exploring, chasing and problem-solving pretty much all day. So when our dogs are at home, and their life suddenly slows down, it's natural for a bored dog to start looking for something to fill that gap, especially since most dogs need both mental stimulation and regular exercise to prevent boredom.

It’s a bigger issue than you might think too. According to the PDSA’s 2024 PAW Report, 19% of UK dogs are left alone for five hours or more on a typical day, and 11% show visible signs of distress when they are, including destructive behaviour, scratching and prolonged barking. A fair chunk of that comes down to a dog with nothing to do and nowhere to put all that extra energy.

Boredom for dogs doesn’t always appear like you might think. While us humans often pick at our fingers or doom scroll on our phones, dogs don’t have that option. Instead, they’ll reveal their mood in other ways. Keep an eye out for:

• Nudging your elbow or lap, often right when you’re deep in a work email or trying to sip your coffee
• Dropping toys at your feet, staring at you intensely, or letting out dramatic sighs that somehow manage to sound like guilt trips
• Pawing, whining or jumping up for attention, especially in younger dogs
• Chewing a shoe, shredding tissues or quietly rearranging the couch cushions
• Barking at the window, whining for no clear reason, or pacing the same stretch of hallway over and over again
• Sleeping more than usual or house soiling, especially in older dogs

A few of these, sleeping and soiling especially, can also be signs of something medical, so mention any sudden changes to your vet just to rule anything else out. A dog who’s always napped through the afternoon isn’t cause for concern, but a sudden shift in appetite, energy or toilet habits is worth flagging, even if boredom still turns out to be part of the picture.

The key is to notice these little patterns, because once you spot them, you can do something about them. You don’t need a formal tracking system, just a rough sense of when it happens and what seems to set it off, like every day around the time you sit down for a video call or whenever the post comes through the door. That’s usually enough to point you toward which type of enrichment is going to help the most.

Once you know the signs of a bored dog, the next step is giving them something to do, ideally something fun, safe, and good for their overall wellbeing. And interestingly, mental and physical enrichment isn't just about beating boredom; it can also help prevent behavioural problems. It also helps reduce stress, encourages problem-solving, builds confidence, and can even prevent unwanted behaviours before they start.

A simple daily routine also helps keep your dog engaged and makes boredom less likely. So without further ado, here are five easy, low-effort ways to keep a bored dog busy while you're working.

If you’ve visited us at WOOOF before, then you know we’re a big fan of lick mats, especially when it comes to helping our bored dogs feel satisfied. These dog enrichment tools are simple, flat mats made of silicone or rubber with textured surfaces designed to hold soft treats like peanut butter, yoghurt, or mashed pumpkin.

After we’ve spread their favourite pastes on, our dogs can then use their tongues to lick the food out of the grooves, which keeps them busy for quite a while. Fun fact: this slow, repetitive licking is calming and soothing for dogs, helping to reduce anxiety and stress.

And because licking is a natural and comforting behaviour, lick mats for dogs turn snack time into a mentally stimulating activity. They encourage your dog to focus, slow down, and work patiently to get the tasty reward. Plus, they can help slow down fast eaters who tend to gulp down their food in seconds, which is better for digestion and reduces the risk of choking or bloating.

There are plenty of different styles of dog lick mats to choose from, and SodaPup offers a fantastic range of flat mats in bright colours and fun patterns. You’ll find everything from simple starter grooves that help your pup learn to lick out every last spread, to intricate designs that will challenge even the cleverest of dogs. Some options can keep your dog occupied for just a few minutes or much longer, depending on what you spread on them. That way, you can pick a mat that perfectly suits your pup’s personality – or even matches your home décor.

Meanwhile, LickiMat has many shapes to choose from. From Yoggie Pots to the UFO shallow slow feeding which are perfect for dogs that are already an expert at licking peanut butter! The LickiMat Slomo Lick Mat is a good one for beginners, as it still has varying textures and shapes without consisting of any moving features.

Another great trick for preventing a bored dog is snuffle toys. Snuffle toys, or burrow toys as they’re sometimes called, are designed to mimic the experience of foraging, one of dogs’ most natural and rewarding activities. These toys typically look like mats or plush puzzles with lots of fabric folds, pockets, or layers where you can hide treats inside to create a simple scavenger hunt for your dog. Then it’s your dog’s job to use their nose and paws to sniff, dig and uncover the hidden goodies.

Snuffle toys tap into their natural hunting instincts which is incredibly satisfying for dogs and helps reduce boredom. Since the activity is slow-paced and rewarding, it can also have a calming effect, helping restless dogs relax.

You can create your own snuffle mat at home with something as simple as a few household items like toys, cushions and towels. Hide your dog’s favourite treats inside the folds of a blanket or towel and watch as they forage for it.

One of my personal favourite ways to keep my fluffy best friend from becoming a bored dog is to use treat dispensers, a fun way to keep them occupied when you’re busy. These come in all shapes and sizes, from balls that roll and release food to interactive puzzle toys that require your dog to figure out how to unlock compartments. These toys challenge your dog’s problem-solving skills and keep them engaged as they work to get the treats inside.

The appeal of treat dispensers lies in the combination of mental stimulation and physical activity. Dogs have to focus and manipulate the toy with their paws or noses, which tires them out mentally even if they’re not running around. This kind of engagement is perfect for preventing boredom, especially for intelligent or high-energy breeds. Many interactive toys let you gradually increase the difficulty as your dog gets better.

The Woof Pupsicle Enrichment Toy is a fantastic treat dispenser if you’re short on time and don’t always have treats on hand. The bundle includes a pack of Pops that sit inside the rounded, silicone design ready to be licked and gnawed at for up to an hour! Plus, you’ll also receive a Treat Tray for when you have a few moments spare to whip up some homemade dog treats.

If creating your own dog treat recipe sounds like fun, then the SodaPup Honeypot toy is a great one for you. You can fill the middle with any mix of ingredients you think your pup will enjoy, from canned dog food to dried treats, peanut butter and even fruit and yoghurt! For added benefits, you can also sprinkle on some healthy supplements aimed at skin, fur or joint care!

Next up, we have slow feeders which are specially designed bowls that make mealtime more challenging by creating obstacles or compartments that slow down how fast your dog can eat. Instead of gulping down their food, dogs have to work around ridges, mazes, or bumps to access each bite.

Slowing down mealtime has several benefits. It helps prevent choking, reduces the risk of bloat and aids digestion by encouraging smaller, more mindful bites. But beyond the health perks, slow feeders also turn eating into a stimulating activity that keeps dogs focused and entertained.

Like their lick mats, SodaPup have an extensive selection of slow feeder dog bowls in various styles and colours to suit your dog’s personality and needs. Shallow designs like the Mandala Shallow Slow Feeder is perfect for short-nosed breeds or dogs that are new to slow feeders while their deeper designs like the SodaPup Wave Slow Feeder Bowl amps up the difficulty for smarty pants pooches.

Finally, long-lasting dog chews are perfect for keeping bored dogs entertained for longer than ten minutes. We recommend opting for natural, durable treats that keep dogs occupied for extended periods made from simple, wholesome ingredients like hardened yak milk or natural antler. These chews provide a satisfying outlet for a dog’s natural chewing instincts without the artificial additives or risks associated with rawhide.

Just like licking, chewing is a deeply calming activity for dogs and it again helps to relieve stress, exercise their jaws, and keep their teeth clean and healthy. Unlike quick snacks, long-lasting chews take time to work through, meaning your dog stays busy and content for longer stretches, which is perfect when you need some quiet time.

If you want to add some variety to the rotation, the Woof HonestChew Ultra-Durable Antler Dog Chew Toy is a tough, plant-based alternative to antlers and rawhide. It’s made from food-grade ingredients like cellulose and vegetable oil, with a splinter-resistant design that flakes gradually as your dog works through it instead of breaking into sharp pieces. It’s hypoallergenic too, with a texture that helps clean their teeth as they chew, so it’s a solid option for dogs who need something seriously durable.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a quick way to match what’s going on with your dog right now to the enrichment toy that suits it best.

It’s completely normal for your dog to feel a little bored from time to time, and they certainly don’t need to be entertained every second of the day. But when your workday stretches on or your to-do list keeps growing, it’s not really fair to expect your dog to just sit around twiddling their paws. Enrichment helps fill that gap.

Keeping a bored dog mentally and physically engaged isn’t just a kindness but a way to support their overall health and happiness. Enrichment helps reduce stress, builds confidence, and can even prevent unwanted behaviours before they start. And as we’ve hopefully proved, enrichment doesn’t have to be complicated either. Whether it’s a simple lick mat or a long-lasting chew, there are plenty of ways to give your bored dog something meaningful to do.

It can also include indoor activities and outdoor options, not just food-based toys. A walk is still one of the simplest options, especially if you let your dog stop and sniff along a new route. A safe spot by the window to watch the world go by can be enriching too, and games like fetch or a swim tire your dog out mentally as well as physically.

Here at WOOOF, we’ve handpicked a huge range of enrichment toys designed to keep your bored dog from being bored much longer. From snuffle mats to slow feeders and everything in between, we’ve got just the thing to turn a dull afternoon into a fun, fulfilling one for your adorable pup.

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