Top Ideas for Keeping Your Dogs Entertained While You're at Work

Leave the television on

Leave your television on with Animal Planet or other channels that often show animals. The sights and sounds will make the dogs feel less alone and stimulate their brains in a quiet house. Also, keeping them occupied will prevent them from getting into mischief.

Provide ways for your dog to look out a window

Make sure curtains are open so your dog can watch the outside world while you are at work. If you have a small dog, you can place a chair that they can get onto near a closed window so they can see the outdoors.

Fill a toy with treats

Many toys let you fill them with small nibbles or peanut butter. These toys can keep them entertained for hours as they work to get the treats inside.

Another good idea is to freeze the peanut butter inside before you leave. Kong & Buster offer a great range of fillable toys. Check the label: use only peanut butter without xylitol (sometimes listed as birch sugar), which is toxic to dogs.

Treasure treat hunt

Hide stuffed food puzzle toys or small piles of her kibble around your house. Scatter a couple of handfuls of kibble in the areas where your dog hangs out during the day, and they'll surely have fun hunting their treats while you’re at work.

They will learn to associate your leaving for the day with a positive experience rather than a negative emotion.

Give your dog a block of ice

In Dubai's heat, a block of ice can be a great idea. Fill your ice cream container with various treats. Then add water and freeze.

Take one out in the morning and give it to your dog. It not only cools them down, but it also keeps them busy licking the ice until they get to the treats.

Calming aids

If your pet is nervous or anxious, you can acquire many calming supplements that contain melatonin. This can help your pet relax while you're away.

If your dog is anxious when left alone, talk to us before using calming supplements. We'll look at the cause and the right dose.

Enroll your dog in doggy daycare

There are plenty of doggy daycares in Dubai that provide a pickup and drop off service to look after your dog for the day and allow them to interact with other dogs.

Dog walker

Many reputable pet care facilities offer dog walking services. They send a trained, experienced dog handler to your home for regularly scheduled walks.

Take your dog for an early morning long walk

Some older dogs enjoy long morning walks, then sleep all day to relax. So a good walk to burn off energy is a good idea before you leave for work.

Purchase dog dental chews

Giving your dog plenty of toys and dental chews will help prevent them from gnawing on your things. Dental chews also help keep their teeth clean and freshen their breath.

Introduce a new toy

A new toy can add some excitement during the day while your dog is home alone. A tough chew toy that can’t be torn apart while you’re gone is best, just in case if your dog likes to gobble things up.

Also, rotate her toys after a day or two. Put one toy away so it’s out of sight and mind, and bring out another to replace it. This helps keep your dog from getting bored with their toys so quickly.

Add a water fountain

These are great for dogs that drink a lot of water and prefer running water. Keeping them hydrated throughout the day can prevent all sorts of illnesses and problems in the long run.

If your dog barks, chews or toilets indoors when left alone, that may be anxiety rather than boredom. Book a behaviour consult, and we'll help.