Rain or shine, your dog relies on you to be their workout buddy. It’s no problem staying active during the dog days of summer, but how can we exercise our four-legged friends and avoid cabin fever during the chilliest months? That’s where indoor dog activities come in.
These fun indoor dog games will help you and your pooch beat the wintertime blues and use up extra energy, to boot!
Practice Dog Tricks
Those gray winter days are the perfect time to teach your dog some fun new tricks. To start, play off what your dog knows; if they’ve mastered “shake” you can easily transition into a “high five.” Keep sessions short so Fido can absorb the new commands and get ready to show off at those upcoming holiday parties. Winter is also a great time to introduce or refresh clicker training with your dog. ‘Lucky Dog Lessons’ is a good foundational book to get you started.
Indoor Digging Challenge
If your dog loves to dig, you can create the opportunity indoors without all the mess. For a simple activity, pile up some hardy blankets, hide a few toys or treats inside, and let them go to town (this is a simple variation on hide-and-seek). Feeling ambitious? Pick up a plastic kiddie pool and fill it with colorful balls. This is a popular enrichment activity at some animal shelters.
Treat Puzzles
Indoor dog activities that don’t require any action on your part include toys. And what’s better than a new toy? A toy that rewards your dog with a treat! Treat puzzles keep your dog stimulated and well-fed. They come in a variety of styles, from a basic stuffed KONG to interactive and challenging treat puzzles. Here’s list by The Spruce Pets for some top picks.
The mental exercise can help calm your cooped-up canine, while the yummy food reward will keep them coming back for more.
Obstacle Course
While your dog may not be the next agility champion, an in-home obstacle course is a fun way for the two of you to play inside. Whether you build jumps out of couch cushions or purchase some basic agility supplies like a tunnel or weave poles, working together to get through the obstacles strengthens your relationship and builds confidence.
Doggy’s IQ Test
Want to test your dog’s smarts? There are plenty of ways to test your dog’s IQ at home. You don’t need any special equipment. You can test your dog’s skills with everyday items and some high-value treats. Even if your dog isn’t the world’s greatest problem solver, it’s great mental exercise and fun for both of you.
Fetch and Tug
You can’t beat the old standbys when it comes to indoor dog action, and fetch (with an appropriate soft toy or ball) is a fun way to get your dog moving. Make the game more challenging by asking your dog to do a trick for each toss. Or, play tug-o-war with a soft toy or rope is another great indoor dog game. Dogs love it because it gives them an outlet for their canine urges to grab and shake. It also gives you an opportunity to work on cues like “give” and “gentle.”
At Silverstone Living, we are a pet-friendly community that understands what a joy our pets can bring to our lives. So, while you’re shopping for Pumpkin’s next toy, always remember to put your pet’s safety, health and well-being first. Need advice? Always chat with your veterinarian. They can offer insight on the most appropriate toy for your pup.
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Rain or shine, your dog relies on you to be their workout buddy. It’s no problem staying active during the dog days of summer, but how can we exercise our four-legged friends and avoid cabin fever during the chilliest months? That’s where indoor dog activities come in.
These fun indoor dog games will help you and your pooch beat the wintertime blues and use up extra energy, to boot!
Practice Dog Tricks
Those gray winter days are the perfect time to teach your dog some fun new tricks. To start, play off what your dog knows; if they’ve mastered “shake” you can easily transition into a “high five.” Keep sessions short so Fido can absorb the new commands and get ready to show off at those upcoming holiday parties. Winter is also a great time to introduce or refresh clicker training with your dog. ‘Lucky Dog Lessons’ is a good foundational book to get you started.
Indoor Digging Challenge
If your dog loves to dig, you can create the opportunity indoors without all the mess. For a simple activity, pile up some hardy blankets, hide a few toys or treats inside, and let them go to town (this is a simple variation on hide-and-seek). Feeling ambitious? Pick up a plastic kiddie pool and fill it with colorful balls. This is a popular enrichment activity at some animal shelters.
Treat Puzzles
Indoor dog activities that don’t require any action on your part include toys. And what’s better than a new toy? A toy that rewards your dog with a treat! Treat puzzles keep your dog stimulated and well-fed. They come in a variety of styles, from a basic stuffed KONG to interactive and challenging treat puzzles. Here’s list by The Spruce Pets for some top picks.
The mental exercise can help calm your cooped-up canine, while the yummy food reward will keep them coming back for more.
Obstacle Course
While your dog may not be the next agility champion, an in-home obstacle course is a fun way for the two of you to play inside. Whether you build jumps out of couch cushions or purchase some basic agility supplies like a tunnel or weave poles, working together to get through the obstacles strengthens your relationship and builds confidence.
Doggy’s IQ Test
Want to test your dog’s smarts? There are plenty of ways to test your dog’s IQ at home. You don’t need any special equipment. You can test your dog’s skills with everyday items and some high-value treats. Even if your dog isn’t the world’s greatest problem solver, it’s great mental exercise and fun for both of you.
Fetch and Tug
You can’t beat the old standbys when it comes to indoor dog action, and fetch (with an appropriate soft toy or ball) is a fun way to get your dog moving. Make the game more challenging by asking your dog to do a trick for each toss. Or, play tug-o-war with a soft toy or rope is another great indoor dog game. Dogs love it because it gives them an outlet for their canine urges to grab and shake. It also gives you an opportunity to work on cues like “give” and “gentle.”
At Silverstone Living, we are a pet-friendly community that understands what a joy our pets can bring to our lives. So, while you’re shopping for Pumpkin’s next toy, always remember to put your pet’s safety, health and well-being first. Need advice? Always chat with your veterinarian. They can offer insight on the most appropriate toy for your pup.
