Lickimats and other puzzle toys can be great for reducing anxiety and boredom in dogs. This is becoming essential since the beginning of lockdown and we have all been at home with our gorgeous pooches. Now that everything is starting to open up again, you may notice that your dog is feeling anxious about you leaving. Our dogs also respond to our behaviour, so if you are feeling a certain way it is likely your dog is either aware of this or can take this on themselves.
To combat this, lick mats and puzzle toys have become a staple for many pet owners. The act of licking or chewing is a natural anxiety or stress reliever in dogs. Therefore using Poochbutter on/in any of these toys will encourage your pooch to do either of these actions and in turn, relieve any stress or anxiety they may feel!
Signs of anxiety or stress are listed below:
- Barking or howling when owner isn't home
- Panting and pacing (even when it's not hot)
- Shivering
- Running away and/or cowering in the corner of a house
- Digging
- Escaping the yard
- Destroying furniture
- Self-harm, including excessive licking or chewing
- Not eating
- Urinating more frequently
- A general inability to settle.
For example, many pooches feel uncomfortable when bathing or having their nails trimmed. A great way to help with this issue is to treat them during the process and hopefully distract them. Many of our awesome customers smear their bathroom tiles with Poochbutter to help their dog during bath times. This may sound like a mess but what dog doesn’t want a Peanut Butter wall?!
Puzzle Toys can also be a great way to refocus your dogs attention on something stimulating. There are many options available and you can also create your own homemade stimulation games for your pooch. Hide and seek, snuffle games and training are all great ways to stimulate your pooches mind and combat boredom at home. It’s also super fun to engage with your dog and spend quality time with them!
Remember to share with us, and others, any of your enrichment ideas. Let’s share the love! Comment below: