Fun Games to Play with Your Dog Indoors!
Whether it be because of the winter months or a challenging schedule, it can oftentimes be difficult to find time to play and stay active with your dog. Fortunately, there are a number of games you can play with your dog to keep them happy and healthy, even when you cannot find the time to leave the house. Here is a short list of some games to play with your dog inside!
1. Find the Treat- Does your dog have a great sense of smell? This game tests their ability and offers them a reward after each discovery. One way to play is to hide training treats around your house and have your dog sniff them out! For beginner dogs, it might help to start out by placing some in plain sight until they get the hang of it and can take on a bigger challenge. Another way to play is to gather a few boxes or cups and place the treat under one box, then place them in front of your dog.
2. Hide and Seek- If your dog has mastered basic commands such as sit, stay, and come, this game will be a success. Ask your dog to sit and stay while you hide in a different location. Once you’ve found a place to hide, call your dog and encourage them to find you.
3. The Which Hand Game- For dogs that have not practiced nose work before, this game is a perfect introduction. All you have to do is place a piece of kibble or a dog treat in one of your hands then hold them out in a fist before your dog. From there, let your dog choose which hand the treat is in.
4. Put Your Toys Away- Not only does this game allow your dog to have fun, it also helps you with cleaning up their toys! To start, have your dog pick up a toy around where they are usually stored, then have them drop it into the box. Though this might take some practice, it will result in a fun game for you and your dog.
5. Interactive Dog Toys- In stores there are many interactive dog toys available. Depending on what your dog likes to do, there are toys to chase that are tied to the end of ropes attached to a stick as well as various kinds of puzzles. One DYI puzzle you can do is to get a muffin tin, place a few treats in it, then cover the holes with tennis balls.
6. Obstacle Course- Using common household items, this game is easy to design and can be made as easy or difficult as you want. Some items you could use might include old broken down cardboard boxes, a few chairs, stacks of books, and other objects to create a course where your dog can jump, crawl, and navigate through.