Is your dog actually bored? 7 signs to watch

Most pet parents picture a bored dog lying flat on the floor, sighing. In reality, boredom in dogs shows up as behaviour we usually label as 'naughty' — destructive chewing, constant barking, or pacing that never seems to stop.

Watch for these seven signs: chewing furniture or shoes, following you from room to room, barking at nothing in particular, zoomies late at night, inhaling meals in seconds, whining when left alone, and a general restlessness even after a long walk. None of these mean your dog is badly behaved — they mean their brain is asking for a job.

The fix isn't more walks. It's mental enrichment: sniffing games, puzzle feeders, and lick mats that give your dog's mind something to chew on, literally and figuratively.