We seem to go from being totally snowed under with ridiculous amounts of work, to being bored mindless scrabbling for things to do. We like routine to keep us occupied, and when that routine gets boring we quickly find a way to spice it up.
Your Cocker Spaniel is the same. They’ll throw themselves into walking and play time, and as soon as that’s done be waiting for the next activity to keep them going. However, in our busy lives it’s often difficult to find the time and the energy to constantly keep our pets occupied as well as ourselves.
Cocker Spaniel are very smart, and they want to be involved in everything that their human does. Whilst this isn’t always possible, here are the signs of boredom you should look out for in your Cocker Spaniel, and what you can do about it.
Help! My Cocker Spaniel Is Bored!
All dogs have their habits, and Cocker Spaniel are the same. It’s what we love about them, and we rely on their character to keep us up to speed with how they’re feeling. When they start to get annoying, that’s when you know that your Cocker Spaniel is getting bored – they’re trying to let you know something.
When Cocker Spaniel are bored they can appear lazy or disinterested. If your Cocker Spaniel isn’t showing interest in their favourite game or toy, it means something’s wrong. Similarly, if they’re barking or whining, it means that they want some attention and are letting you know as best they can.
It’s important that you know your Cocker Spaniel, so if something changes, you can respond aptly.
Keeping Your Cocker Spaniel Busy
Cocker Spaniel need our attention just like we crave theirs. So, it’s important that you respond to them to make them feel loved and cared for. Your Cocker Spaniel will want to be a part of everything that you do, so do your best to include them.
We know it’s impractical to take them everywhere, and we all need a bit of alone time, so here are some simple things that you can do to help your Cocker Spaniel feel included:
- Take your Cocker Spaniel with you whenever you can. If there’s two humans to one Cocker Spaniel, you can take them to the shop with you and alternate who waits outside.
- Engage them in play while you’re watching TV – if you throw the toy for them, that’ll be enough to keep them occupied while you’re relaxing.
- Allowing your Cocker Spaniel to sleep in the bed with you will help them to feel close to you, especially if you’re out at work during the day.
There are also a variety of puzzle toys on the market that will keep your Cocker Spaniel occupied for hours, as they figure just how to tease the treat out of the ball.
Is Your Cocker Spaniel Lonely?
We understand that it’s not always possible to take your dog to work with you. Also, when work situations change, it sometimes means that your Cocker Spaniel goes from spending every day with you to being left alone for long durations.
No Change?
If you feel like you’ve tried everything, and your Cocker Spaniel is still acting unusually, don’t ignore the signs. They could be suffering from separation anxiety, so it’s best to seek help.
Don’t worry, there are many ways to reduce your dog anxiety levels, so there’s definitely something that can be done. Often, it’s just one specific change that’s needed to make all the difference to your dog’s overall wellbeing.