Dogs require a lot of time, and that doesn’t just mean care hours, like exercise, grooming, and feeding. They also need your attention and engagement, whether that’s belly rubs, games of fetch, or couch snuggles. But how much attention do they need each day?
It can be hard to pin down a number, since a dog’s need for engagement will vary based on breed, personality, and their level of connection with the person giving attention. One study showed that dogs attended more to a familiar person (i.e., someone they like) versus a stranger. Research also tells us that the amount of attention a dog gives and needs can change throughout their life, and it can also change due to training.
We spoke with Allie Bender, founder, author, behaviour consultant, and mentor at Pet Harmony Animal Behavior & Training, to learn how much quality interaction a dog needs, plus how and when to offer it.
How Many Hours of Attention Per Day Do Dogs Need?
An hour of focused interaction per day is a good baseline, but the amount of attention a dog needs daily varies a lot. “Just like humans have different attention/engagement needs, so too do dogs,” explains Bender.
Your dog may also get more mileage out of some forms of interaction than others. “For many dogs, simply looking at them counts as giving attention. Others require almost climbing inside your skin to get the same effect,” Bender explains. She recommends looking at a dog’s body language to judge the value of an activity. Good signs are:
- leaning into pets
- soliciting play
- moving closer to you
You’ll also want to adjust the amount of attention you’re giving your dog depending on the circumstances. For example, Bender says that when she’s just returned from a trip or has been working long hours outside the house all week, she gives her dog extra snuggle time (an activity her 90-pound dog enjoys) to make up for the time away.
Signs Your Dog Needs or Wants Attention
Dogs who don’t receive enough engagement will often display attention-seeking behaviour (or misbehaviour). What those behaviours look like can vary. “There’s no hard and fast rule as to what comprises an attention-seeking behaviour other than it gets someone’s attention,” Bender says. “Once a dog does find a behaviour that works to get their human’s attention, they’ll continue doing that behaviour because it works for them.”
Common attention-seeking behaviours include:
- Digging into the couch
- Getting into the rubbish
- Jumping on the countertop
- Sleeping more
- Bringing you toys
- Acting out
- Staring at you
- Depression
- Potty accidents
- Barking
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Ekaterina Ilchenko via iStock
Ways To Give Your Dog Attention
Research suggests dogs are more social than the wolves they evolved from—and that difference is coded in their genes. But what that social time should look like can vary from dog to dog.
For some pups, walks will absolutely count as time well spent together. For others, they’re a chance to go into their own world of sniffs, and it’s just a coincidence that you’re on the other end of the leash.
“It’s hard to separate out attention/engagement from other needs,” Bender acknowledges. “Pet dogs live in a human world that requires thumbs and money to survive. We feed them, give them water, give them shelter, provide their physical and mental exercise, etc. Our attention/engagement is inextricably tied to providing for other needs.”
The best way to give your dog attention will depend on their preferences. To find out what counts, observe your dog’s behaviour.
“I prefer to sit back and watch how a dog is trying to interact with me and then follow their lead,” advises Bender. “Are they pushing into my hand? Let’s try petting. Are they offering me play solicitation behaviours? Let’s try some toys and games. Are they just napping beside me with our hips touching? I’m always down for snuggles on the couch.”
Here’s what to try:
- Walks together in a range of styles, from focused training outings to decompression walks and hikes on long leads
- Toy-based games like fetch, tug, or flirt poles
- Training games
- Enrichment activities
- Agility work
- Nose work
- Snuggle time
When Do Dogs Need More Attention?
Attention needs vary by dog, and an individual dog’s needs may even change based on their mood or breed. But the answer isn’t always simple.
Breeds
“We can’t make sweeping generalisations about breed,” Bender cautions. You might, however, occasionally see higher attention needs in dogs that were bred to work more closely with humans.
That includes herding breeds like Border Collies and hunting or sporting breeds like Labrador Retrievers.
Livestock guardian breeds like the Great Pyrenees, by contrast, were bred to work independently without a human, so you might find some have lower attention needs.
Ages and stages
Young dogs tend to thrive on attention and be less discriminating about the form it takes. “Puppies tend to need a lot of things in general,” agrees Bender, pointing out that care and interaction at this stage will be more intertwined.
As they mature, a dog’s preferences for the kind of attention they receive might change. But they don’t necessarily need less of it. “A dog might love playing with their human but start needing less of that and more snuggle time as they age,” Bender offers.
Attention seekers
For dogs who demand constant attention, “ignore it” is the common advice. But according to Bender, that’s only part of the solution. Ignoring a behaviour will avoid reinforcing it, but it doesn’t solve the need that motivates your pup.
If your dog can’t leave you alone and has had plenty of attention and enrichment generally, it’s a good idea to schedule a vet visit to rule out underlying medical or behavioural conditions, like anxiety. If your dog gets a clean bill of health, consider making an appointment with a trainer or behaviourist to go over strategies specific to your pup.
What happens if a dog doesn’t get enough attention?
Dogs need attention to thrive, and if they don’t get enough of it, they may start acting out. You might see destructive behaviour, potty accidents, and more severe symptoms like depression and lethargy, weight loss, or hair loss.
If you’re struggling to give your dog enough attention, consider calling in reinforcements. That might be a dog walker to drop by when you’re out, or a day of doggy daycare with an attentive sitter to offer enrichment.
