While most dogs enjoy getting outside for a walk in any weather, we humans might feel differently! The good news is that a little creativity can provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation for your dog without leaving the house. In fact, just 15 minutes of brain work, including sniffing games, puzzle-solving and training, can leave many dogs feeling happily tired.
Here are some simple indoor games that will keep your dog entertained until the sun comes out again.
1. Hide and seek
Hide behind a door, around a corner or in another room and call your dog’s name. Once they find you, reward them with plenty of praise, a treat or a favourite toy.
This game strengthens your dog’s recall skills while encouraging them to use their nose and problem-solving abilities. It’s also fun to watch them hunt for you!
2. Find the treats
Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, making scent games one of the best indoor activities.
Start by hiding treats in easy-to-find locations in a room. As your dog gets better at the game, make the hiding spots more challenging by placing treats under cushions, behind furniture or inside cardboard boxes.
Always supervise your dog to ensure they don’t chew or swallow anything they shouldn’t.
3. Puzzle toys
Interactive puzzle toys encourage your dog to think while rewarding them with food or treats.
There are puzzles suitable for beginners through to advanced problem-solvers, helping to reduce boredom and keep curious minds occupied. Most are designed to hold treats that must be released through various mechanisms, from sliding compartments to the right rolling angle.
4. Build an indoor obstacle course
Use everyday household items to create a fun agility course.
Try using:
- cushions to weave around
- chairs with a broomstick balanced across them for a low jump (only if appropriate for your dog’s size and health)
- blankets draped over chairs to make tunnels
- boxes to step over.
Keep obstacles low and safe, and avoid any activities that could strain your dog’s joints.
5. Teach a new trick
Rainy days are the perfect opportunity for a short training session.
Consider teaching your dog:
- shake hands
- spin
- roll over
- high five
- fetch a specific toy
- put toys away in a basket.
Keep sessions short – around five to 10 minutes – and reward positive behaviour with treats and praise.
6. Tug-of-war
A game of tug can provide excellent physical exercise for your dog while strengthening your bond. Choose a long-handled toy to keep your fingers safe.
Teach your dog the rules of the game and ensure it is you who is deciding when playtime begins and ends. Keep a dedicated, durable tug-of-war toy for this game only, and put it away and out of reach when not in use. Teach your dog a reliable ‘drop it’ or ‘leave it’ cue so the game stays safe and enjoyable, and stop immediately if play becomes overly rough.
The key is to use a side-to-side motion only when pulling the toy, so your dog’s neck can bend naturally. Never jerk the toy up and down or lift your dog’s feet off the ground.
8. Treasure box
Fill a cardboard box with crumpled paper, empty toilet roll tubes or safe packing paper, then hide treats throughout the box. Let your dog sniff, dig and search for the hidden rewards. It’s an excellent enrichment activity that taps into natural foraging instincts.
9. Practice basic commands
Refreshing your dog’s training is a great rainy day activity that strenghens your bond and provides your dog with plenty of mental stimulation. Keep sessions positive, and reward successful actions with praise and treats.
