Dogs are naturally curious pack animals. Their tendencies to dig and chew must be harnessed in a such a way that Patches won’t mangle your most comfortable shoes  or a sofa cushion.
Mentally stimulating an animal diverts that destructive energy into something positive. Our desires and those of our dog’s are not that different. We’re both social creatures with appetites and a desire to please those we care about.
Below are some suggestions from the ASCPA for reducing your pet’s boredom while training their mind.

-Puzzle toys are an excellent distraction while you’re at work. The rubber or plastic contraptions store treats or kibbles for your dog. They must be rolled, gnawed and shaken to jostled out the reward. (Tip: Start by making the toy easy to solve to hook the animal then ratchet up the difficulty to train their problem-solving skills).

-Dogs are going to chew long after they stop teething. It’s what they do and there’s no stopping it. Channel that activity into a variety of toys and bones. Rawhide, rubber toys, ropes, pig ears and marrow bones are all excellent options.

-Socialize them. Meet with friends of yours who have dogs and let the animals romp sans leash for awhile. The interaction challenges them physically and mentally. Dog parks and doggie daycare centers are other options.

-Play tug of war. The strength-based game naturally appeals to the animal’s instinct to bite and pull. You can also use the game to teach the pet how to listen when he or she is excited.

-Let them search. Stash kibbles in the backyard or around the home to create an ideal problem-solving activity. This offers them a chance to search and burn some calories before ingesting more.