We all worry about leaving our dogs alone, even for short periods of separation. We want to do what’s best for them so they can be happy when we have to leave them (to earn money to buy them things, for example!). Sure, that’s part of us know the best way to keep them happy is to skip our obligations and take them out for a run oa walkingwill open in a new tab or hang out at home and play in the yard.
But what is the best way to keep them happy when we really have to go without them, and they have to stay on their own? Plan A — never leaving our dogs — has great appeal, but a Plan B is essential. Recent research has found that long-lasting chew toys are a great way to keep puppies occupied when they need solo time at home.
Chronic chewing is also a dog’s best friend
In a study published in Februarywill open in a new tabthe dogs remained in contact with a long lasting chew toy will open in a new tablonger than they remained focused on other enrichment options. They also showed less stress and more positive emotions when they chewed for a long time, compared to when they were offered other options.
Long-term chewing is the most effective way to keep dogs engaged and in a more positive emotional state with less stress than other learning options. Long-lasting chews are better than toys that have food and give food automatically, along with a voice from someone talking to them in a fun way.
Chew toys, food toys and automatic feeding toys
The study investigated the effects of different food-based enrichment options for dogs left alone to determine which kept them occupied the longest. The study also examined which options keep dogs in the happiest state of mind so that alone time doesn’t have to be sad or stressful.
The researchers tried to keep the dogs happy by offering them a durable chew, a Kong wobbler with kibble in it, and an automatic food dispenser toy with kibble. The automatic feeding toy was used in two ways: accompanied by a human voice and without a human voice.
A treat is delivered once a minute, whether the dog is talking or not. The voice is always a woman speaking in a high pitched happy voice. He spoke before handing out each treat, saying things like, “Hello, Max, are you a good boy? Do you want a treat?” and “Guess what, I’ve got some more treats for you! You’re on your way now!”
The experience of learning dogs
The researchers video-recorded 10 Labrador Retrievers and 10 Petit Basset Griffon Vendéens for 20 minutes in each of the enrichment options. The dogs in the study were each left alone four times so each dog had the opportunity to try all four options for isolation enrichment. Experts watched the videos and recorded the emotional state of the dog throughout the experiment and the amount of time they remained interested in the food or chewing.
Future research
Dogs tend to like food and chew toys, but they generally don’t like being left alone, so it’s worth exploring how to use the former to help make the latter easier. However, more research needs to be done. I want to know how long it takes to chew compared to a toy stuffed with really good quality food like chicken, steak, or peanut butter, instead of kibble to help keep dogs happy when they are alone. I also want to know which long-term chews make dogs happy and keep them occupied when they should be alone.
It’s an exciting time to be a dog (and own a dog) because scientists are studying what makes them happy and what we can do to keep their quality of life high. We don’t want to abandon our dogs, but it’s easier when science informs us what to do in that situation for the benefit of our dogs.
