Emma, the White Dog
Hello SaddleBrooke Progress friends! I’m Emma, your cheerful little white dog in SaddleBrooke. In this column, I share a dog’s-eye view on life by answering thoughtful questions with kindness, gentle humor, and a bit of tail-wagging wisdom.
You can follow more of my adventures and photos on my blog, Life With Emma in the Desert, at emmathewhitedog.com.
Ask Emma: Do dogs get bored?
Oh yes. We absolutely do.
Dogs are curious creatures. Our brains like to be engaged, our noses like to work, and our hearts like to feel included. When days begin to look exactly the same—same walk, same route, same view—we can get a little bored.
Boredom in dogs doesn’t always look dramatic. Sometimes it shows up as extra sleeping, restlessness, pacing, or suddenly finding creative ways to entertain ourselves—often involving things we were never interested in before.
The good news is that preventing boredom doesn’t require big adventures or long outings. Small changes can make a big difference:
• Varying walking routes, even slightly
• Allowing time to sniff (that’s serious brain work for dogs!)
• Short play sessions or simple training games
• Rotating toys instead of leaving all of them out
• Spending quiet time together—just being near you matters
Most of all, dogs don’t want constant excitement. We want connection. A little novelty combined with attention and affection keeps us happy and content.
Ask Emma: At what age do dogs stop playing?
Here’s the honest answer:
We don’t—unless something hurts or no one invites us anymore.
Play changes as we age, but it doesn’t disappear. Puppies bounce and tumble. Younger dogs race and chase. Older dogs play in gentler, smarter ways. We may prefer shorter sessions, slower movements, or more rest in between—but the desire to play remains.
Some dogs slow down because of arthritis, stiffness, or other age-related discomfort. Others stop playing simply because humans assume we’re “too old” and stop offering. That’s a little heartbreaking, because play isn’t just exercise—it’s joy and connection.
For senior dogs, play may look like:
• A slow game of tug
• Rolling a ball instead of chasing it
• Gentle indoor games
• Playful interaction with favorite people
If a dog suddenly stops playing altogether, a visit to the veterinarian is a good idea. But if we’re comfortable and healthy, trust me—we still enjoy play. We just appreciate it delivered with patience, and followed by a nice nap.
If you have a question for me, I’d love to hear it. You can email me at emmathewhitedog@gmail.com, and I just might answer in a future column.
With love and wagging optimism,
Emma