California Dog Mom Notices Her Pup Is Feeling Down, So She Tries Three Simple Tricks To Change Everything

A dedicated dog parent shares her favorite free, simple enrichment strategies to cure canine boredom and keep her furry best friend mentally stimulated while she works from home.

The Challenge of a Working Dog Parent

Working from home in California can be a wonderful way to spend more time with our pets, but it also comes with unique challenges.

One dedicated dog mom noticed that while she was busy at her desk, her furry best friend was struggling with the downtime.

She knew that a bored dog is often prone to behavioral issues and can even slip into depression.

Determined to brighten her pup’s day without breaking the bank, she came up with three completely free enrichment ideas to keep her dog entertained.

Slowing Down the Daily Stroll

The first strategy was the easiest to implement, as it simply required tweaking their existing daily routine.

Like many dog owners, she used to try her hardest to get as many steps in as possible during their walks.

However, she realized that rushing through the neighborhood wasn’t giving her dog the mental stimulation she craved.

By slowing down and letting her dog sniff everything in sight, she discovered that exploring the world through scent made her pup’s mind tired, which was just as effective as a brisk walk.

An Indoor Treasure Hunt

When it was time to head back indoors, she introduced a new game: foraging.

To set up the game, she puts her dog in a separate room to wait patiently.

Then, she takes a handful of treats and hides them in various spots all around her living room.

This simple game of hide-and-seek taps into the dog’s natural instincts and gives her a fun, rewarding job to do.

Leveling Up the Challenge

Because they play the foraging game so often, her clever dog has become quite the expert.

The pup’s tracking skills have improved so much that her mom has had to get incredibly creative with her hiding places.

This indoor treasure hunt gets the dog moving around the house and gives her a great reason to use her nose.

More importantly, it encourages the dog to do some active problem-solving, keeping her brain sharp and engaged.

The Cardboard Box Solution

For her final trick, she turns to a common household item that most online shoppers have lying around.

She grabs an empty cardboard box and some paper to create a DIY “snuffle box.”

By simply crumpling the paper and sprinkling in a few small treats, she creates an instant puzzle toy.

Since she almost always has a box left over from something she ordered, this enrichment activity is incredibly easy and completely free.

A Happier, Healthier Companion

While these activities are fun and enriching, safety is always the top priority.

The dog mom emphasizes the importance of always supervising your dog during these games, especially when using household materials.

She also notes a crucial safety tip: never use plastic materials in the snuffle box.

Thanks to these three simple, loving adjustments, her once-bored pup is now a happy, mentally stimulated companion who looks forward to every working day at home.