Dogs are like humans – our lives can flip from being super busy to not having anything to do(if we are lucky).
Your Shih Chon 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.
Shih Chons 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 Shih Chon, and what you can do about it.
Help! My Shih Chon Is Bored!
All dogs have their habits, and Shih Chons 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 Shih Chon is getting bored – they’re trying to let you know something.
When Shih Chons are bored they can appear lazy or disinterested. If your Shih Chon 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 Shih Chon, so if something changes, you can respond aptly.
Keeping Your Shih Chon Busy
Shih Chons 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 Shih Chon 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 Shih Chon feel included:
- Take your Shih Chon with you whenever you can. If there’s two humans to one Shih Chon, 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 Shih Chon 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 Shih Chon occupied for hours, as they figure just how to tease the treat out of the ball.
Is Your Shih Chon 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 Shih Chon 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 Shih Chon 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.