Your dog is not naughty – He’s just bored, and this inexpensive tool can fix it

Coming home to chaos isn’t fun – chewed shoes, destroyed cushions, and a dog who looks guilty the second you walk through the door. Your dog isn’t naughty; he’s just bored. And this simple, affordable tool might just be the sanity saver you need.

You close the front door behind you after a long day at the office, and right on cue, the destruction begins. First comes the insistent whining. Then, the sound of your favourite pair of shoes being dragged across the floor. If you don’t intervene immediately, the throw pillows are next.

It sounds familiar because it is. Between my two dogs, I’ve lived this scene more times than I’d like to admit. My one dog will beg for food constantly – at the table, during meals, anytime food is mentioned, any food-related smell is detected. My other dog? She’s bored, destructive, and when left alone while I’m at work all day, her separation anxiety kicks in hard. She needs something to occupy her mind, or she’ll find something to destroy instead.

It’s easy to feel frustrated and assume your dog is just being deliberately naughty. But before you lose your cool, take a breath and reframe the situation: your dog isn’t acting out to spite you – your dog is just incredibly bored.

Dogs are natural problem-solvers. When we don’t give them a job to do, they will happily invent their own – and usually, that job involves chewing the baseboards or redecorating your lounge. While physical exercise is great, a long walk doesn’t always tire out a dog’s brain. If you want a peaceful household, you need to target their mental energy.

Fortunately, you don’t need to spend a fortune on fancy high-tech gadgets. The ultimate sanity saver costs less than R200, and it’s likely already sitting in thousands of calm households: the silicone dog lickmat.

The science of the lick: How it works

It looks simple – just a textured silicone mat with a series of grooves, mazes, or bumps. But to your dog’s brain, it’s a high-stakes puzzle.

When a dog licks a textured surface, the repetitive motion triggers the release of cortisol-reducing endorphins in their body. It is an inherently self-soothing, calming mechanism – exactly what a dog with separation anxiety needs when you’re not home. By spreading a tasty treat across the mat, you turn a quick snack into a 20-to-30-minute meditative focus session.

While they are working hard to clean out every single microscopic crevice, you get a beautiful, uninterrupted window of peace to actually relax after your workday, cook dinner, or simply enjoy a quiet cup of coffee.

Quick & easy lickmat recipes

The beauty of this tool is that you don’t need fancy ingredients. You can use items already in your kitchen to create a mental workout:

The quick fix: A few tablespoons of dog-safe, xylitol-free peanut butter or plain yoghurt smeared evenly across the surface.

The longevity hack: Spread a layer of wet dog food or pureed pumpkin over the mat, and pop it in the freezer for two hours before serving. Freezing turns a 10-minute distraction into a 30-minute marathon – perfect for those evenings when you need a breather before tackling dinner.

The low-calorie option: Pour a small amount of low-sodium bone broth into the grooves and freeze it for a hydrating, guilt-free treat.

If you’re ready to trade the chaotic barking for total tranquility, you can find durable, easy-to-clean lickmats online or at your local pet shop today.

One tool, endless uses

While banishing boredom is a massive win, this budget-friendly tool is far from a one-trick pony. If you have a food-obsessed pup who inhales their dinner in three seconds flat – my beggar does this daily – spreading their meals onto a larger mat forces them to slow down, preventing dangerous bloating and indigestion. It’s also an absolute game-changer for grooming. They will be so blissfully distracted by the frozen peanut butter that you can wash, brush, or clip their nails without struggle.

From vet visits to crate training, it is truly the best less-than-R200 investment you will ever make for your dog’s happiness – and your own peace of mind.

Buy it from takealot.com

Single mat for around R95

Set of two for around R155

Mat + dog friendly peanut butter around R145

This article was not sponsored but contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, ALL THAT will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions expressed are those of the editorial team. Prices are subject to change.