Enrichment when I’m at work or class

[AngieTorres]

Hello community! Any suggestions for enrichment activities to reduce boredom when I leave my dog at home for school or work? Typically 2-6 hours at a time. My dog barks at my roommates when I AM home but she does bark at them for attention sometimes and I’m thinking it might be to ask for play aka more stimulation/enrichment. Plus I just think it would be good for her to add more of these activities into her life especially with no other dogs to play with and me not being home a whole lot during peak play with me hours 

[Adrienne Farricelli]

If your roommates can provide her activities, that's super as they can help her stay busy, provide her with outlets for natural behaviors and raise her confidence. The Brain Training section has several activities, here are just some:

1. The Treasure Hunt
2. The Muffin Game
3. The Bottle Game
4. The Magic Carpet
5. Hot and Cold

Also Kongs, Kong Wobblers, Snuffle Mats, Licki-mats, Buster Cubes, Nita Ottoson puzzles etc. 

Trick training:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/video-archive/#tricks

Clicker training:

https://www.braintraining4dogs.com/members/brain-training/clicker-training/

If she barks for attention, best to provide these activities when she has been quiet for some time so to prevent her from thinking that barking grants her fun games, which will only increase the attention-seeking barking.