CREATIVE TRICKS TO BEAT DOGGY BOREDOM Keep Those Paws Busy
Have you ever come home to find chewed shoes, shredded pillows, or your trash mysteriously scattered across the floor? If your dog has become a one-pup demolition crew, boredom might be the culprit. Like us, dogs need mental stimulation and activities to keep their minds sharp and their behavior in check. The good news is that you don’t need fancy gadgets or endless free time to keep your dog happy. A few simple tricks can go a long way in keeping their tails wagging and your belongings intact. Make mealtime a game. Ditch the food bowl and turn mealtime into a brain workout. Try using treat- dispensing toys or puzzle feeders that make your dog work for its food. You can also scatter kibble around the house or yard and let them “hunt” it down. It taps
into their instincts and keeps them busy in a fun and rewarding way.
Rotate toys to keep things fresh. If your dog has a pile of toys but only plays with one or two, it might be time to mix things up. Keep half of the toys hidden and rotate them out every few days. This keeps things new and exciting, even if your pup has seen the toy before. Teach a new trick. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Training sessions teach obedience and provide mental exercise! Whether it’s “shake,” “spin,” or even “put your toys away,” learning something new gives your dog a sense of purpose and boosts your bond. Schedule short, interactive play breaks. Even five minutes of fetch or tug-of-war can break up the day and add excitement.
Short bursts of play are especially great for working pet parents or anyone with a packed schedule. Enrichment on a budget. You don’t need to spend a lot to keep your pup engaged. With a bit of creativity, cardboard boxes, old towels, and even ice cubes with treats frozen inside can become boredom busters. Think of it as DIY enrichment!
WHY 2025 IS ONE OF FBMS’S MOST IMPACTFUL YEARS YET Life-Changing Career Decisions Made Simpler
This year, federal employees nationwide are experiencing many challenges, uncertainties, tough choices, and life-changing decisions. Many are facing questions about whether to resign, retire early, or navigate the stress of job eliminations. Many have ended up with more questions than answers. At Federal Benefits Made Simple (FBMS), we’re honored to have helped thousands of employees find some clarity as they make these complex decisions. It has made 2025 a record-breaking year when it comes to the number of federal employees we have been able to help. And there’s a few months left to the year. Most of the questions we’ve seen concern Deferred Resignation Programs, Voluntary Early Retirement, and Reduction in Force. Federal employees have been trying to decide if they should voluntarily resign or retire early from their positions, and how they would plan for their future moving forward. With agencies facing Reduction in Force across the country, many are unsure about what will happen to them and their families if they lose their jobs.
far, we’ve hosted free webinars alongside our standard classes, and as a result, we’ve heard hundreds of stories. More than 3,100 federal employees attended our monthly webinars, and nearly 1,200 attended one of our FERS classes. We answered almost 1,000 emails, took nearly 300 15-minute phone calls, and hosted 500 planning sessions to assist employees in determining whether they are in a position to retire. Our various programs and services simplify the complexities of federal retirement and provide strategies to maximize benefits. From understanding the eligibility requirements of early retirement programs to maximizing the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), we’re here to assist your agency and help you to navigate and plan for a secure future. We offer in-person, virtual, or hybrid sessions to meet the unique needs of employees. All of us at FBMS are incredibly grateful for the trust each of you has placed in us, especially given the incredibly difficult decisions you have faced this year. If you would like to learn more about our services, contact us at 303-922-4304 or visit our website at FederalBenefitsMadeSimple.com .
We understand how confusing and serious these concerns are, and we are committed to doing something to make a difference. So
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