In a world of puzzle toys, enrichment games, and constant stimulation, it might sound strange to say your dog needs to learn to be bored. But hear me out, teaching your dog to settle when nothing exciting is happening is one of the most valuable life skills you can give them.
Why Boredom Tolerance Matters
Dogs, like people, need downtime. But many dogs haven’t learned how to just be. They’ve been trained to expect constant action, walks, games, training, and attention. While enrichment is important, a dog who never learns to relax on their own may become:
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Demanding (barking, whining, nudging for attention)
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Frustrated when you’re busy or can’t engage
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Destructive out of boredom
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Anxious when left alone or without direction
Teaching your dog that it’s okay (and even good) to chill out and do nothing helps them build independence, resilience, and better coping skills.
What Does “Teaching Boredom” Look Like?
This doesn’t mean ignoring your dog completely or skipping exercise and mental stimulation. Instead, it’s about weaving purposeful calm into your routine. Think of it as helping your dog build an “off switch.”
It can be as simple as enjoying a quiet coffee in the morning while your dog rests beside you, learning that not every moment needs action or attention. (Like Karma and Cooper chilling on their beds while I work yes, it’s possible!)
Here’s how to start:
1. Place Training or Mat Work
Teach your dog to lie on a designated mat or bed and stay there, even when life happens around them. This isn’t a “stay and stare at you” exercise, it’s a “relax here while I do things” one.
Start small: reward for short calm durations and slowly increase the time.
2. Incorporate Boring Time Into the Day
Not every moment needs to be a training session. During your day, intentionally ignore your dog for periods of time while you’re doing quiet tasks. No eye contact, no talking, just let them observe or nap.
3. Limit Over-Stimulation
If your dog gets excited by every little sound or movement, it might be time to scale back some environmental triggers. Always being “on alert” makes it harder to learn how to relax.
For example, if your dog spends their day glued to the window barking at everything that moves, try closing the blinds or using a baby gate to limit access to that space during downtime. You can also play gentle background music or white noise to muffle outside sounds. Creating a calm environment helps your dog shift into rest mode more easily.
4. Use Calm Reinforcement
Reward calm behaviour. If your dog chooses to lie down quietly while you’re working on the computer or sipping tea on the porch, quietly praise or offer a reward. Let them know being still is a good thing.
5. Practice “Doing Nothing” in New Places
Once your dog gets the hang of being bored at home, try it in slightly more distracting environments: the park, a patio, the vet’s waiting room. These are all perfect places to build that skill of relaxed observation.
The Benefits of Boredom Training
When your dog learns to be bored, they also learn to:
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Self-soothe instead of immediately seeking attention
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Build impulse control and reduce reactivity
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Develop patience (a must for service dogs or therapy dogs!)
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Cope better with alone time
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Be a calmer companion overall
A Calm Dog is a Happy Dog
So yes, teach the tricks. Go on adventures. Let them sniff all the good stuff. But also teach them how to pause. Dogs don’t need 24/7 stimulation, they need balance. And the ability to be bored? That’s a sign of emotional maturity in a dog.
Your future vet visits, family dinners, and rainy days stuck indoors will thank you.