Long-term dog sitter worries for restless pup when he realizes owners don't take him on walks, he seeks wholesome internet advice on how to entertain the bored doggie: 'I feel bad for him'

Author image for Briana Viser
Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jan 26, 2026 1:00 PM EST

Trying to entertain oneself is bad enough, but trying to entertain a disillusioned dog is no small feat. 

Boredom isn't just a first world problem for spoiled kids, rich adults, or eternally unhappy patrons. Boredom is the opposite of being in survival mode in a way, but it doesn't mean all your needs are met. You can still feel bored even though at the back of your mind you're worrying about paying your next credit card bill. It acts in one way as a distraction from the pain, heaviness, and constant torment of life in and of itself, and in another way it's a replication of the privilege one has in a moment to be bothered by ennui instead of by something more urgent. Everyone feels boredom, and these days with endless dopamine rushes from technology, it can come about quicker than in previous generations. When we're so used to the constant scrolling of images, noises, songs, people, animals, ideas, all to make our brains feel like a slot machine that is winning winning winning at every second, the moment these images stop it can leave anyone feeling completely deflated. 

When one is dog sitting, it's one thing to feel bored yourself, but even more discouraging to see that a poor dog is bored. How do you cheer up a dog? Dogs are usually rambunctious and energetic, being so carefree and simple minded that anything will entertain them. But not this dog. The dog in the story below is not easy to please, not easy to entertain. Dog sitting often begins as a simple favor or a short-term arrangement, but when you spend weeks in a year, with certain dogs, and years on end, your relationship grows. Spending uninterrupted time with a dog—feeding them, walking them, learning their routines—creates a bond that can form faster than expected. Dogs don't hold back affection. They offer trust quickly, curling up beside you, following you from room to room, and looking at you like you're the most important part of their day.

So what does this dog sitter do to help the bored pupper? He goes to the place he knows will have the answer: the internet. He doesn't want to step on the toes of the owners, but he doesn't want to idly watch the dog unhappy. 

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  • 01
    I am house/pet sitting for a family with 2 dogs. I have been their sitter for
    via u/Frozenyogurtplz
  • 02
    3 years and stay at their house at least 3 weeks out of an average year. so the dogs know me pretty well..
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  • 03
    Per the owners instructions.. The dogs may fight each other so they are kept separate.
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  • 04
    One of them is a big couch potato so he is fine when he's indoors and he
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  • 05
    loves the snow so I can let him out in the fenced backyard for as long as he wants.
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  • 06
    However the other dog. barks constantly unless I am actively interacting
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  • 07
    with him.. He has to be crated when I leave, he will eat things and
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  • 08
    destroy furniture. He can't go outside unless I watch him closely because he will eat things. He has a
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  • 09
    very high pitch echoing bark and barks the whole time in the yard, he and I
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  • 10
    also both get cold fast, so I try to make it quick.
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  • 11
    When I am home and we are indoors he is kept in the kitchen and dining
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  • 12
    area so he can't chew any fabrics. or fight the other dog. He is a sweet boy and wants to be near me;
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  • 13
    so I try to sit at the dining table on my computer as much as possible to be
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  • 14
    near him. He still barks A LOT. I can tell his behavior issues come from boredom and he seems
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  • 15
    stressed. He carry's toys around but will not play fetch or tug of war or anything (if I try he seems.
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  • 16
    very confused) They do not take him on walks and don't even have a
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  • 17
    walking leash, there's no side walks here and it's a busy highway but I wish I could.
    via u/Frozenyogurtplz
  • 18
    I tried hiding some kibble in his toy tire, which did entertain him, but he got
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  • 19
    it out quickly. The only treats they give him are milkbones. He gets
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  • 20
    tummy issues easily so I don't want to give him anything new.
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  • 21
    Any other suggestions? I feel bad for him. I am hesitant to buy him
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  • 22
    anything because I don't want to make the owners feel bad but I would be open to it.
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  • 23
    AriOshu Snuffle mat! | thought they were weird at first but my
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  • 24
    dogs go crazy as soon as they see me with it.
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    Cheezburger Image 10599924224
    via Werdohlerr

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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wholesome dogs cute dogs pets dog sitting doggo positivity
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