As a fellow dog parent I’m sure you understand how difficult it can be for your dog to get adequate exercise and stimulation during certain times of the year. Whether it’s intense summer heat or winter storms, taking our dogs outside to walk and play isn’t always an option. Luckily, indoor mental enrichment activities can get you and your pup through the undesirable seasons. Need some ideas? Enjoy this list of stimulating indoor activities for your dog.
Indoor Activities for Dogs
Treat puzzles and feeders: I swear by treat puzzles throughout the entire year. They get your dog thinking and working, which is necessary for positive mental growth. Treat puzzles can help your dog overcome issues like boredom, stress and anxiety. Worried about cost? Don’t be! Our favorite treat puzzles were under $10 on Chewy.com. Khloee also loves the PAW5 Rock ‘N Bowl.
Games: There are a few indoor games that I enjoy playing with my dogs. One is hide and seek. If your dog has a good “stay” command, have them stay in one room while you hide with some treats. Yell their release word like “Come!” or “Break!” and allow them to come find you! Give your dog a treat when they succeed. If there’s another person available in your home, you can have that person hold your dog while you hide. Another simple game is hiding treats around your home. Put your dogs in a room while you hide treats around your house. Your dogs will have a blast sniffing them out!
New tricks: How about teaching your dogs new tricks? YouTube is your best friend when it comes to learning new tricks that you can teach your dogs. Make sure to use lots of positive reinforcement while training.
Basic obedience training: Anytime is a good time to work on basic obedience training like sit, stay, lay down, shake, etc. Basic training with positive reinforcement methods allows you to bond with your dog and they will love the one-on-one time. Training forces your dog to think and focus, which is excellent for their mental health, especially during the rough seasons when you can’t go outside as much.
Make treats: If your stuck inside, what better way to celebrate your dogs than making them some treats? Baking some delicious homemade dog treats gives you something fun to do and your pups something new to munch on. Consider making a frozen treat in the summer. The treats will cool your dog down and your pup will have to spend time enjoying it. Need some new treat ideas? I have a whole bunch right here for you!
Practice photography: Like taking pictures? Wish your dog would sit and stay more often for cute photos? Now’s your time to practice! First, brush up on your dog’s sit and stay commands using positive reinforcement methods. Then work on taking photos of them doing so! This is a super fun activity for you and your dogs!
Tether Tug: Have an extremely active dog? Tether Tug offers a great indoor solution for you! Although the company is best known for their outdoor product, Tether Tug also has one that your dog can use indoors!
Host a play date: If you have friends with dogs, consider setting up a play date at your house or a friend’s house! This will allow your dog (and you) to get some positive social interaction! A fun play date is sure to tire out your pup.
What indoor activities do you enjoy doing with your dogs?
Great list! We love playing hide and go treat too!
There are several things I would like to try with my pup from the list and of course, I’m a huge hide and seek fan! I’ve been wanting to train him to pick up his toys, but haven’t taken the time to work on that yet.
Thank you so much for the article!
Really great activities. I will try them all with my doggos.