There are always those days – especially here in the UK – when it is tough to get outside with our dogs and that means they will have pent up energy. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some budget and eco-friendly ideas. Listed below are the 10 best indoor activities for dogs. These are not just for rainy days either; they can be used anytime! These indoor activities are easy, affordable and most of them can be organised with things you already have around the house (hello, eco-friendly)! Read on to find out more about the 10 best indoor activities for dogs.
Fetch
A canine classic, fetch is one of the most well-known games dogs enjoy. Most people think fetch is only to be enjoyed outside but on those soggy days when no-one wants to head outdoors, fetch can be a great way to entertain your dog indoors. Choose your dog’s favourite toy (ball, stuffed toy, Kong, etc.), find an area where your dog has a bit of space to run (like a corridor) and start playing! If your dog is not great at returning the toy, this is an excellent opportunity to teach this skill, especially as there are less distractions when playing inside. Be sure to change up where you throw the toy, as dogs will enjoy the variation of fetching from different places.
Snuffle Mat Snuffle mats are one of the newer toys to hit the doggy market, but they can range in price from £10-25! Fear not though, you can easily make a snuffle mat for your dog to enjoy, allowing for enrichment of those scent receptors and keeping your best friend mentally engaged – and not just on rainy days! Check out the instructions from Dogs Trust on how to easily fashion a snuffle mat for your four-legged friend (it’s even machine washable). Try using your dog’s food (rather than treats) so you’re not adding unnecessary calories to their diet – it will also make mealtimes much more fun!
Find the Treat
Find the treat is a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated on those drizzly days. Start off easy by having your pup sit and wait in the middle of a room and place treats in their sight on the floor around them. Give the command ‘find’ or something similar and allow your dog to reap the rewards. While the initial sit/wait and verbal command stays the same, you can make the game progressively more challenging by hiding treats behind furniture, burying treats in blankets or putting them beneath pillows. Is your dog already expert level? Have your dog wait outside while you hide their treats for an extra level of challenge. This game engages a dog’s natural instinct to use its nose to find food. Remember, this game does not need to include all levels on the same day – add more challenges over time!
Shell Game
Roll up, roll up - try your luck at the shell game! No need for any sleight of hand with this game though, your furry friend will use their nuanced noses to seek out their prize! You will need 3 cups (preferably paper or reusable plastic to keep this game eco-friendly) and some treats. Again, try using their regular dog food so as to keep the calorie-count down. Place the cups in a row in front of your dog and place a treat under one of the cups. Rearrange the cups slowly so as to mix up where the treat is. You can use the same command from the ‘Find the Treat’ game above. To extend the challenge of this game, encourage your dog to point with its paw to show which cup they want revealed.
Tug-o-War
Tug-o-war is a great game to play with your dog and while some people say this game encourages aggression, if it is played and managed in the correct way it can actually boost confidence in your dog, hone their natural instincts and build a better bond between you and
your dog. It’s also an excellent chance to brush up on the vital skill of getting your dog to release on command. Choose your dog’s most durable toy and get tugging! When playing, and your dog naturally releases (or you win) use a command such as ‘give’ and reward your dog with a treat and lots of praise. Keep doing this until the command starts to encourage the release of the toy.
Tasty Treats
Not so much of a game as a ‘keep your dog occupied’ activity, try making a frozen treat that is healthy and will ensure your dog stays busy while you get things done! Many people use ‘licky-mats’ for these, but just a regular stainless-steel bowl or even a Kong works too. There is no set recipe but freeze things together like pumpkin puree (not pie filling), peanut butter (no sugar or sweetener – we like this one for the whole family), Greek yogurt, frozen berries/vegetables, your dog’s food/treats, anything that will tantalise your dog’s tastebuds! When creating this tasty frozen concoction, be mindful of harmful ingredients, as well as adding to your dog’s overall daily calorie intake.
A New Trick
You’ve likely heard ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ – don’t be fooled, dogs no matter their age, can be taught new things! When you’re both stuck inside, a great way to entertain your dog is to teach them a new trick. It might be something as simple as roll-over or something more complex like barking on command or weaving through your legs. Either way, this is a fun bonding activity for you and your fur friend to try inside. It will mentally stimulate your dog, develop patience and sharpen your dog’s ability to concentrate.
Doggy Obstacle Course
With the rise in online shopping (we see those Amazon Prime packages), it inevitably means there is an upsurge in the number of boxes you have lying around. Before you recycle those boxes, why not use them to create an obstacle course for your dog? For safety,
this shouldn’t be the agility course a dog would run outside, but it can be full of tunnels, weaves and small jumps. You can also include things like broom handles to create different levelled jumps. If you are going to include jumps, be sure to do so on a carpeted/non-slip area so your dog doesn’t injure itself! You can also use the obstacle course in conjunction with the ‘Find the Treat’ game.
Muffin Tin Game
Another quick, inexpensive game to create for your dog that will exercise those scent-receptors! Using a regular muffin tin, fill the tin with dry dog food (roughly one piece in every other slot). Then place toys/balls on top of each slot and let your dog’s nose do the work to find the treats. If you have a smaller-breed, consider using a mini-muffin tin for
this game. Again, like any other game/activity involving food, be sure to consider your dog’s overall caloric intake for the day!
Homemade Treat Dispenser Another affordable – and be forewarned, noisy – game for your dog that uses items that will eventually be recycled. Take a used, plastic bottle (make sure it’s clean and completely dry) and cut holes into various places. These holes should be large enough for your dog’s dry food/treats to fit through. Fill the bottle with some of the food/treats and watch as your dog uses his nose and paws to move the bottle to release the treats! This DIY toy will keep your dog busy as it moves around the house trying to free its tasty treats!
So, whether it’s a soggy day or you’re just too busy for a nice long walk, these 10 indoor games are the BEST for keeping your dogs entertained and mentally stimulated. Not only that, but some of them can also keep your pups independently occupied while you’re WFH and on those all-important calls. All of these activities are easy, affordable and eco-friendly too. Let us know in the comments which of the 10 best indoor games worked for you! Did you know that Cooper’s Canine Services offers 30-minute home visits? We can try some of these activities out with your playful pooches – email us today to find out more!
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