Dogs are known to be lively and energetic creatures. They crave the attention of their owner at all times.

However, not all dog owners have the opportunity to always spend quality time with their dogs, this might be a result of busy work schedules or any other valid reason.

In this case, leaving your dog to stay alone in the house might not be the right choice because your lonely dog will always be bored and he will also want to find his way to play.

This is when you will find out that your dog is always chewing on your rugs, carpets, furniture, and other household components.

This is destructive but your dog won’t know this because all he craves is just to play around and become happy since you aren’t there for him.

Nonetheless, there are a lot of things you can do to mentally stimulate your dog while at work, all these helpful tips will be revealed in this article, and practicing them won’t make your dog show destructive acts anytime you are at work.

Can I own a Dog if I work from 9-5 daily?

There is no straight answer to this question, it can either be YES or NO. I will like to exemplify

Yes, you can own a dog if you work from 9 – 5 daily. However, you should know that only a low-energetic dog that can stay for hours alone without being bored will be the best for you.

The answer to this question can also be NO, that is if you plan to get a highly- energetic dog that craves a lot of attention.

What is the best dog breed for someone working from 9-5 daily?

A Dachshund sleeping on a chair.

There are a lot of dog breeds that can self-stimulate themselves and they also crave less attention from their owner.

These dogs don’t need frequent mental stimulation to be stable or well-behaved unlike dogs like dobermans.

Here are some of the dog breeds you should consider if you are planning to get one due to your busy work schedule.

• Dachshund
• Greyhound
• French Bulldog
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Chihuahua

Now, let’s talk about the best tips to mentally stimulate a dog while at work

How to Mentally Stimulate A Dog while at Work

Mental Stimulation is the best solution to boredom in dogs. Stimulating a dog while at work is easy now.

However, you should be ready to adhere to the tips that will be stated here and also ensure that you adhere to the routines that will provide all your dog’s needs while you are at your workplace.

When it comes to tire out a dog, many people go for only physical stimulation such as walking their dogs, making them run, etc.

However, Mental stimulation is equally needed because it will help you get rid of all problems stemming from boredom.

If you are willing to mentally stimulate your dog while at work, here are some of the tips you should indulge in.

Get an Automated Feeder

There are some devices called automated feeders. These automated feeders dispense dog treats at intervals for your dog just to keep them mentally stimulated.

With this device, you don’t need to be around to give your dog some treats, all you need is to set the time interval you want the feeder to release the treats.

Facetime your Pooch

You can also Facetime your dog. This looks like a normal zoom session where you can interact with your dog while you are away. There is an Audio-visual connection also.

You can also play with them with the laser pointer option which you can turn on at any time from your end.

There is also a mobile app you can share with families and friends and they will also have access to play with your dog anywhere they are.

With this, I don’t think your dog should feel the need to be destructive because even though you are not present, your presence is still always felt.

Get them some puzzle toys

Puzzle toys, such as treat-dispensing balls and interactive feeders, provide mental stimulation as dogs work to figure out how to access the treats inside.

Apart from the two toys listed above, there are also some interactive dog toys such as Babble ball, Petcube bites 2, Kong Toys etc. that will keep your dog occupied for a longer time.

Make use of a Kong Toy

You can also maximize the use of the Kong toy. The Kong toy has a hollow hole where you can stuff in dog treats.

Fill this hole with peanut butter or any other liquid dog treat and freeze it. Your dog will have to work to lick the content of the Kong toy, and this will serve as mental stimulation for him.

Have you gotten a Snuffle Mat?

This is another nice option when it comes to mentally stimulating a dog.

A snuffle mat is a mat with strings or fabric strips that dogs can sniff and search through to find treats.

Before leaving your house for work, you can fill this mat with some treats that have a nice scent that will lure your dog to find them.

Your dog will do all it takes to locate this treat and eat them, this will serve as mental stimulation for your dog.

Make your dog access to a window view.

Confining your dog to the house only might be too boring to bear. You should ensure your dog has access to a view of the window.

Watching some bikes and vehicles and how people move about might be more exciting rather than staring at only the four corners of their room.

If we are talking about a small dog, you should endeavor to provide a chair or a pillow where they can sit so they can have a nicer and proper view of the environment.

Get your dog another furry friend and ensure they socialize

You should Adopt or rescue another dog that will serve as a companion dog for your pooch. Doing this will ease your dog from boredom and you’ve also saved a life.

Ensure they get along well before you start leaving them to play together. Ensure the dog you adopt or rescue is healthy and has also been vaccinated by a reputable vet.

Enrolment in Doggy Day Care

You can also consider enrolling your dog in a doggy daycare. However, you should do this only if your dog is well-socialized and can live freely with other dogs.

There are a lot of Doggy Day Care with well-trained workers and also good facilities that will ensure your dog’s safety.

Search for a Doggy Day Care around you that fits your schedule, and book an appointment with their management to make inquiries about them and the prices for the services they render.

Doing this will help stimulate your dog mentally while you are at your workplace.

Make Use of Dog Dental Chews

To mentally stimulate your dog while at work, you can kindly bank on Dental Chews. This dog treat has a lot of benefits to offer your dog.

Your dog will keep chewing on it and this will reduce the risk of your dog chewing on your carpet, rugs, and furniture.

Additionally, dental chews also help dogs’ oral hygiene. It makes their teeth to be healthier and also helps to get rid of bad breath.

Final Thought

When it comes to how you can mentally stimulate your dog while you are away from home, the list is truly endless because there are a series of tips you can apply to do this.

However, these 10 tips listed in this article have been tested by me and I must say they are truly the best 10 tips for a dog’s mental stimulation.

These tips will keep your dog entertained and also help him to alleviate boredom.

You should also note that not all dogs will enjoy or benefit from the same types of mental stimulation tips.

You have to observe your dog’s behavior and preferences to determine which activities are the most effective for them.