The Art(y) of Play
Chasing Away Boredom!
Ever wonder why Arty has such joy? His infectious joy comes from his playful approach to everything he does. This lighthearted attitude makes his training a breeze; he quickly mastered "doggie manners"—such as waiting at the door, staying off the furniture, and coming when called—as if they were games. Because he views every challenge as a form of play, he has maintained a lifelong love of learning simply for the fun of it.
Playing games does more than burn off energy; they stimulate your dog’s brain in ways traditional obedience training cannot. Mr. Smarty Arty defines play as “finding fun in the routine.” As it turns out, a playful approach is one of the best ways to keep your dog’s mind engaged and fresh while learning those commands like “Come” and “Heel”. Think of it as reaching your pup through the lens of play.
Boredom in a dog is NOT a good thing! It takes more than physical exertion to make a dog happy and healthy. They need active play which engages their mind too. When your dog is bored, he can be destructive, digging, chewing, and tearing things apart. Or he may become extra-clingy or overly anxious, pacing and barking excessively to get your attention.
To thrive, dogs need to tap into their natural instincts of hunt and seek. Tapping into these instincts requires some specialized equipment, which Arty thoughtfully showcased in the photo below: his most important 'tool'—his nose.
The unique doggy nose!
Game 1: Hide-and-Seek
Dog noses have 100 to 300 million olfactory receptors, compared to a measly six million in us. While we "see" the world, they "smell" it. Use their ‘super-power’ of sniff! Give that nose something to do with a rousing game of hide-and-seek!
How to Play: Have your dog WAIT (or have someone hold them), then go hide!
Start Easy: Once hidden, call your dog. When they find you, celebrate with treats and praise!
Level Up: Increase the difficulty slowly so they don’t get discouraged. It’s a complex workout for their brains. Bye-bye boredom, hello fun!
Game 2: Find-It
If Hide-and-Seek is about finding people, Find-It is about the thrill of the hunt for a favorite toy.
How to Play: Hide a toy nearby and say “Find It!” or “Where is it?”
Create Energy: Act excited! When they succeed, celebrate!
The Goal: Hide it further away or under a rug once they understand. Your pup is learning the whole time, even though it looks like “only play.”
Now there’s a thought . . .
Boredom in a HUMAN is not a good thing, either! Routines can provide stability to our lives, although it can become stagnant without variety. Just as a dog might turn to digging or chewing when his mind isn't engaged, we have our own "destructive" reactions when this happens.
When we are starved of play, we don’t usually tear apart the sofa, but we might tear apart our own peace of mind. For us, boredom looks like mental fog, weariness, or "doom-scrolling" on our phones. We become impatient and easily irritated, pacing through to-do lists without really accomplishing much. We, too, have natural instincts for curiosity and discovery that go hungry in a world of repetitive chores.
There is wisdom to be gleaned by watching dogs play. Their play requires creating and reacting in real-time, being present in the moment, not worrying about the past or the future. Play is a functional necessity for dogs. Is it for us, too? The answer is a resounding YES!
Incorporating games and a playful outlook makes our ordinary routines sustainable. Play acts as a “stress circuit-breaker.” It keeps the mind fresh, inspires creativity, and allows new perspectives to emerge.
In a friendly game of cribbage, for instance, we learn to fail, lose, and take risks in a safe environment. This builds resilience for when things get tough at work or home. When we play, our brains release endorphins and dopamine. These don’t just make us feel good—they physically lower cortisol levels and improve brain plasticity.
Play isn’t escapism. It’s a perspective shift. You are not wasting time when you take a few moments to solve a riddle or sink a shot at a desktop hoop. You are creating breathing room needed for fresh ideas to bubble up. By inviting a little play into your day, you can be a boredom buster just like Arty!
Arty, Professional Boredom Buster
“Boredom detected at 12 o'clock. Engaging hyper-drive”
“A little nonsense now and then is cherished by the wisest men.”
~ Roald Dahl, British Author
