Rain, sleet, or extreme heat can prevent pets and the people that love them from adventuring in the great outdoors. When that’s the case, what indoor activities for dogs can still give them the physical and mental workout they need?
Here are some of our favorite tips to prevent doggie boredom when indoors:
"MA! Stop watching TV and throw the ball!" -Major
1. Good ol’ Fashioned Play - If space allows, chase your pup around the house, get into a game of tug o’ war with a favorite toy, or play a game of fetch down a long hallway. These are doggie classics for a reason- they get your heart going and they’re fun!
2. Indoor "Agility Course"- Set up obstacles similar to that of an agility course: a tunnel, jumps, or weave poles. Get creative with items you already have in your home, such as a broomstick for a jump and cushions for a tunnel. As your dog navigates through new obstacles, she’ll be challenged both mentally and physically.
3. Hide & Seek - If your dog has a strong sniffer, this will be his new favorite activity. Hide some small treats in various places around the house and watch your dog be entertained and instantly rewarded for hours!
4. Puppy Playdate - Invite a furry friend over for some playtime, which is great for both exercise and socialization. However, this is probably only ideal if you have smaller dogs and/or ample space for a little roughhousing.
Maddie and Macaron patiently await their treats after a training session.
5. Training - This is a great time to pick up some training treats or small bite kibble for training rewards. Brush up on some tricks your pet already knows, or work on new, more advanced moves.
But remember: only work on training as long as it’s fun for both you and your dog. Anything more can be counterproductive to learning.
6. Brain Games - Teach your dogs the name of their toys, and have him retrieve accordingly! This is tough, so start with one or two toys at a time.
If you think your dog is a genius, try teaching her to count! Offer your pup two handfuls full of varying amounts of kibble, give her a command such as ‘small’, with the ultimate goal of her choosing the hand with smaller quantity. Keep in mind that this game takes a little encouragement and a lot of patience.
Snoop toys are a Tomlinson's dog favorite!
7. Smart Toys - Pick up a couple of brain-teasing toys for your pup. Kong is a classic: fill it with kibble, seal it with peanut butter (xylitol-free, of course), and let them go to work!
A Tomlinson's staff favorite is Planet Dog's Snoop toy. We fill it with freeze-dried raw morsels and watch our fur children nose, nudge, and kick it around the living room (find it at any Tomlinson's, or on Instacart).
How does your pet like to stay occupied while indoors? Tell us in the comments below, or over on our Facebook page!
7 Indoor Activities for Dogs
Physical
"MA! Stop watching TV and throw the ball!" -Major
1. Good ol’ Fashioned Play - If space allows, chase your pup around the house, get into a game of tug o’ war with a favorite toy, or play a game of fetch down a long hallway. These are doggie classics for a reason- they get your heart going and they’re fun!
2. Indoor "Agility Course"- Set up obstacles similar to that of an agility course: a tunnel, jumps, or weave poles. Get creative with items you already have in your home, such as a broomstick for a jump and cushions for a tunnel. As your dog navigates through new obstacles, she’ll be challenged both mentally and physically.
3. Hide & Seek - If your dog has a strong sniffer, this will be his new favorite activity. Hide some small treats in various places around the house and watch your dog be entertained and instantly rewarded for hours!
4. Puppy Playdate - Invite a furry friend over for some playtime, which is great for both exercise and socialization. However, this is probably only ideal if you have smaller dogs and/or ample space for a little roughhousing.
Mental
Maddie and Macaron patiently await their treats after a training session.
5. Training - This is a great time to pick up some training treats or small bite kibble for training rewards. Brush up on some tricks your pet already knows, or work on new, more advanced moves.
But remember: only work on training as long as it’s fun for both you and your dog. Anything more can be counterproductive to learning.
6. Brain Games - Teach your dogs the name of their toys, and have him retrieve accordingly! This is tough, so start with one or two toys at a time.
If you think your dog is a genius, try teaching her to count! Offer your pup two handfuls full of varying amounts of kibble, give her a command such as ‘small’, with the ultimate goal of her choosing the hand with smaller quantity. Keep in mind that this game takes a little encouragement and a lot of patience.
Snoop toys are a Tomlinson's dog favorite!
7. Smart Toys - Pick up a couple of brain-teasing toys for your pup. Kong is a classic: fill it with kibble, seal it with peanut butter (xylitol-free, of course), and let them go to work!
A Tomlinson's staff favorite is Planet Dog's Snoop toy. We fill it with freeze-dried raw morsels and watch our fur children nose, nudge, and kick it around the living room (find it at any Tomlinson's, or on Instacart).
How does your pet like to stay occupied while indoors? Tell us in the comments below, or over on our Facebook page!
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