Ask the dog trainer: Is your dog under stimulated?

Dear Kendall,
I’m pretty sure my dog is trying to get me fired!
Buster waits until I get on my Zoom conference call and then runs about my house like a madman. I’ve tried putting him in another room while I work, but then he barks the whole time. Yesterday he vanished into our bedroom and returned triumphant, waving my husband’s boxers in my boss’s face. Please help!
-Zoom Disaster
Dear Zoom Disaster:
It sounds like your dog may be under stimulated. As a professional dog trainer specializing in canine behavior, this is a common problem. Try using a combination of enrichment activities and foraging toys spread throughout your workday.
First, separate his dog food into four equal servings, using the first portion for your morning walk. We refer to this as an enrichment walk and its purpose is not to hurry around the block but rather to slow your pace and allow your dog to enjoy the experience using all of his senses. Keep your leash loose and use the dog food to reward your dog when he looks up from reading the local dog bulletin board and returns to your side. Enrichment walks are truly a wonderful way to mentally stimulate your dog.
When you are ready to begin your workday, take the remaining three portions of your dog’s food and put them into separate foraging toys. Found online or at your local pet store, these toys are designed to tap into your dog’s foraging instincts and engage their minds.
Whatever foraging toy you choose, make sure it is appropriate to your dog’s unique drives and disposition. As always, you want to observe your dog and make sure he isn’t going to accidentally chew and swallow a piece of the toy.
A simple homemade enrichment toy is to use a muffin tin filled with kibble. Place tennis balls over the cups so your dog must push them aside to get at the food. Have a shallow kiddie pool that’s not in use? Fill the empty pool with toys and balls and sprinkle your dog’s food inside and he will have fun finding the kibble. During the summer, fill the pool with water and let your dog “bob” for treats. I’ve even used an almost empty jar of pet-safe peanut butter and let my dog spend the afternoon polishing it to a fine shine!
The idea is simply to encourage your dog to “earn” food throughout the day in a way that rewards them for being quiet and using their mind.
If you would like to work your dog’s brain even more, then you can add 10 minutes of obedience training into your lunch break. I like to do the following: first run through my dog’s obedience skills, being dynamic as possible. Sit, down, stand, down, sit, stand, for example. Next, I work on stay and come, which cumulates into a lively game of hide and seek, where I place my dog in a stay, move to another room and call him to me.
Finally, to bring him back from an excited mood, I spend the last two minutes gently massaging my dogs’ ears and shoulders before setting out their next foraging toy and returning to work.
Most importantly, remember to reward your dog’s successes throughout the day. If your dog is calm and relaxed, then notice their good behavior and reward them with a treat. If they think about barking at you and instead sit calmly beside you, reach down and give them a pat. If they return from your bedroom empty handed, praise them because some things are best left to your boss’s imagination!

Kendall and Chandler Brown are owners of Custom K-9 Service Dogs, a dog training business serving Minden/Gardnerville, Carson and Reno. For more information go to customk9servicedogs.com or email customk9servicedogs@gmail.com.