During inclement weather, either because of a chance summer storm or the dead of winter, you might find yourself with a hyperactive pooch bouncing around the house.
What do you do when you have a bored, high-energy dog? There are a surprising number of things you can do indoors if, for whatever reason, going outdoors is out of the question.
In this blog post, we’ll look at some indoor-friendly stuff to do with your pooch. We hope you find something that works for both of you!
1. Partake in Obedience Training
There’s no better time to brush up on obedience training skills. Not only will it keep you both mentally stimulated, but being indoors is an environment with fewer distractions, which will help your dog perform better instead of taking off across the yard in chase of a squirrel.
A few minutes of obedience training several times a day will help the both of you further reinforce positive behaviors. You can also mix obedience training skills like sit/stay with more advanced commands.
2. Play Indoor Games
If you have time to spare for some doggy fun, there are heaps of indoor games to play! Dogs have a formidable sense of smell, about 40 times greater than ours. Make them use it! Here are some ideas:
Play Hide-And-Seek
Not only is it a great way to burn off some extra energy, but it’s also a fun way to bond with your furry friend and practice some nose work. Put your dog in a sit and stay, then go hide with a treat. Then release your dog with an “okay!” and see him go nuts trying to find you.
Of course, when he does, a big hug and plenty of treats are in order! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try playing in the dark.
Make Your Dog Find Their Treats
Same as finding you, but this time it’s just the treats, and many of them! Place your dog in a sit and stay position in another room, then go around the living room or a separate room and hide all the treats.
On the release, have fun watching your dog go nuts trying to undercover all the goodies. Make sure that you hide the treats in places that your dog has access to and doesn’t need to do something that is normally discouraged like go into the laundry basket or nosing through your shoes.
Play Tug-Of-War
An oldie but a goodie; a vigorous game of tug is great for tiring out pooches. You’ll also get to train and reinforce the command “drop it”. You can use a rope toy, or make one out of old rope, braiding individual pieces to make a thicker one. Be sure that the rope is durable and will not tear off and cause a choking hazard.
3. Create an Indoor Agility Course
This could be good fun for both of you. You can totally let your creative juices flow and use all kinds of household things to make an agility course for your pooch.
You can use an old tire or a hula hoop, some plastic containers for homemade weave poles, and brooms and mops for the jumps. You can get creative with the layout of the course, but make sure there are no dead ends or tight spaces where your dog could get stuck.
4. Create Interactive Toys
If you need to work at home or are busy doing chores, you can always invest in a few puzzle toys to keep your dog happy and entertained while being on his own. Even better, make your own DIY dog toys!
The best puzzle toys are those that dispense treats as you smack them around. Some toys even have varying difficulty levels; the smaller the openings, the harder it is.
Another goodie is the classic Kong; an indestructible toy that can be stuffed with peanut butter and frozen! Be sure to use unsalted, natural peanut butter that’s safe for dogs.
5. Invest in Chew Toys
Most dogs love to chew, which means you better provide an outlet for their energy unless you want your shoes and furniture ripped up!
Dogs need chew toys for a variety of reasons. Chew toys can help to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy, and they can also help to relieve boredom and stop your dog from chewing on things that they’re not supposed to.
Chew toys come in all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that your dog will love. And, because they’re specifically designed for dogs, chew toys are much safer than other household items that your dog might be tempted to chew on, like shoes or furniture.
Try getting organic, natural dental sticks, and do some research before getting the toys. Powerful dogs will suit more durable toys, while smaller dogs can do with less. Be sure that the toys don’t have any parts that could break off and cause a choking hazard, or a bone that could splinter off and pierce your dog’s mouth or intestine. And remember: stay away from rawhide, as it can break apart and cause serious health complications.
Bad weather isn’t the end of the world. You can still have a good time indoors with your pooch!
