Keeping your dog active indoors can be a fun challenge, especially on days when going outside isn’t an option. There are many fun and engaging ways to play with your dog indoors. These are twelve creative ideas that you can try today.
1. Ball Pit-Palooza
Fill a kiddie pool with colorful balls and scatter treats on top for your dog to find. As your dog searches through the shifting balls, it gets both physical exercise and mental stimulation. This activity is easy to set up in any room, and if you want to up the difficulty, you can hide treats deeper in the pit. This is the perfect way to turn playtime into a fun challenge!
2. Snuffle Mat Challenge
Another fun way to stimulate your pup is to hide small treats in a snuffle mat. This mess-free and quiet activity is the perfect way to keep your pet’s mind active and focused. This activity can help slow down fast eaters and add a bit of variety to your pet’s routine.
3. Indoor Obstacle Course
Creating an indoor obstacle course is easier than you might think. You can use everyday objects like books, chairs, and blankets to create tunnels, jumps, and weave poles for your pet to play in. Use basic training commands to guide your dog through the obstacle course, and reward them with small treats when they successfully complete the course.
4. Staircase Run
The perfect way to tire out an active dog is to use the stairs in your home. Encourage your dog to race up and down the stairs with you or play fetch on your staircase. This is an excellent way to increase your pet’s heart rate and to get rid of some pent-up energy in a small space.
5. Treasure Hunt
Another fun and easy way to stimulate your dog is to hide their favorite treats and toys around the house. Start with easy hiding spots and gradually make them more challenging to keep your dog engaged. This is a great way to give your pet a physical workout and to work on their problem-solving skills.
6. Tug of War
If you have a study rope toy at home or just an old plain rope lying around, you can play a fun game of tug of war with your pup. This engaging activity provides your pet with physical exercise and mental stimulation. This is also a great way of reinforcing commands like “drop it” or “release.”
7. Indoor Fetch with iFetch
An automatic ball launcher like iFetch makes it easy to play fetch indoors, even in small spaces. This device allows your dog to enjoy an extended game of fetch without you having to throw the ball constantly.
8. Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys are all the hype right now, and for good reason! These toys require your dog to solve problems and find hidden treats. These games stimulate your dog’s brain by encouraging problem-solving and focus, helping with boredom and anxiety.
9. Hide and Seek
Playing hide and seek with your dog can be fun for you and your pet. While your dog is in another room, hide and call them to find you. This is a fun mix of physical activity and mental stimulation.
10. Muffin Tin Puzzle
If you have any old muffin tins lying around, you can place your pet’s favorite treats in the cups and cover them with tennis balls. This will force your dog to figure out how they can remove the balls to access treats. This is great for training your dog’s fine motor skills!
11. Indoor Digging Box
Use an old kiddie pool as an indoor digging box for your dog. You can add colorful balls or piles of blankets to hide your dog’s favorite toys inside. This will satisfy your pet’s instinct to dig without damaging your home.
12. Scent Work
Hide an object or toy with a strong scent and train your dog to find it on command. Scent work challenges your dog to focus and use its sense of smell in a fun, engaging way. You can easily adjust the difficulty by using different scents or hiding spots.
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