Rainy days are perfect for curling up with a blanket and a cup of steaming tea. But, chances are, your dog probably won’t be quite as thrilled about spending a quiet day inside as you are. If your dog hates being trapped inside when the weather prevents you from heading outdoors, this is the post for you! We’re sharing 10 activity ideas to help keep your dog occupied the next time you’re forced to spend a day indoors. So, when your dog starts pawing, whining, and beggggggging for a walk, try these things to help him enjoy his day, instead!
#1 Play Hide & Seek
There are so many different versions of this game you can play with your pet. Make hide and seek pet friendly by putting your dog in another room while you hide some of your pup’s favorite treats around the house. Once you’re done stowing them away and sprinkling them around, bring your dog back into the room so he can seek out all his treats.
Or, hide yourself and let your dog find you! This can be a little tricky if you’re the only two at home, but if there are multiple people spending time indoors in your house, this is perfect! Again, place your dog in another room while you hide. Then, once you’re in your secret place, have someone else let your dog back into the room and see how long it takes him to find your hiding spot!
#2 Have A Training Session
Take this opportunity to teach your dog a new trick or two! Grab the treats, your clicker, and choose something new to teach your dog. Maybe he’s a master at ‘high fives’ but you want to see if he can rollover. Or, maybe you want to teach Fido how to put his own toys away, fetch a specific item or try something silly like crawling or spinning. Whatever you decide to teach your dog, a rainy day is a perfect time to have a training session!
#3 Bake Some Treats
Your dog will love you so much if you spend your rainy day baking up some tasty treats that are all for him! Let your dog help by having him sniff ingredients and telling you with tail wags which ones he is most excited about. Of course, he can also lend a paw by being a taste-tester! Search for dog-friendly treat recipes online, there are countless options out there and plenty to choose from if your dog has any dietary restrictions, too. Mix, bake, cool, and feed to your dog for a rainy day special something your dog won’t even mind missing his walk for!
#4 Make An Obstacle Course
Test your dog’s agility and help him get a little exercise indoors by setting up an obstacle course. You can make a tunnel using a blanket and some chairs, set up some furniture so your pup has to weave, climb and find his way around. It’s a great way for you to spend some quality time with your dog and for him to burn some energy and get out his wiggles by running around the course!
#5 Use Dog Activity Toys
Bust out the Kong, the puzzle toy, or the other activity toy to pique your dog’s interest and keep him entertained for hours! If your dog loves to chew, grab the Kong and fill it with your dog’s favorite treats or some peanut butter. To make his session last even longer, pop the Kong in the freezer so the food is even harder to get out!
To make your dog use his noggin, try a treat toy that only dispenses treats when turned a certain way. Or pick up another dog puzzle that requires your dog to figure out exactly how to get to his treats inside. Interactive activity toys are a rainy day saver and perfect to keep your dog entertained for ages!
#6 Have Chew Time
Let your dog take his time chewing on something special the next time you’re stuck inside thanks to the weather. Pick up a back of dental chews, bully sticks, a kneecap, or whatever chew your dog goes crazy for. It’s important to keep a close eye on your dog whenever you feed him a stick or chew to chomp on, so this is the perfect time to let him chew as much as he wants! And, bonus, if you choose a dental chew, you’ll also be freshening your dog’s breath and supporting his dental health at the same time.
#7 Visit An Indoor Dog Park
If you’ve never been to an indoor dog park before, you need to check to see if there is one in your city. They are every pet parent’s savior when the weather is preventing you from getting to your normal dog park outside. Most indoor dog parks work the same way as outdoor versions and require your pet to be well behaved, require you to clean up after your pet, and often have spaces designated for smaller dogs and larger dogs. Every dog park is unique, so make sure you check out the rules before you visit, but it’s a great way to spend a gloomy day with your dog.
#8 Practice Your Dog’s Obedience Skills
Help your dog brush up on his manners and training basics by going over some of the commands your dog already knows. Have him practice sit, stay, come, down, and all the commands he needs to know to keep him safe and to help him in social settings. You can even make things tricky for your pet by distracting him with noises or his favorite toys to make your brush-up lesson a little bit challenging for your dog!
#9 Give Your Dog A Massage
Treat your dog to a grooming session or a massage when you’re trapped indoors. He’ll love the attention, snuggles and amazing massage nad you’ll get to spend some quality time with your pet. Look up a tutorial online because it can be tough to really get in there and massage your pet if you’ve never tried to before, but with a little guidance, it can be a fun way for you to spend your rainy day!
#10 Blow Some Bubbles
Everyone loves bubbles, right>! Dogs included. If you’re stuck inside entertain your dog by busting out the bubbles and letting him chase, jump, and pop as many bubbles as he wants! Make sure you pick up a bottle that is non-toxic and safe for your dog to play with and start blowing bubbles for Fido.
Pet Honesty Products To Pick Up When You’re Stuck Indoors
If you’re at home with your dog, looking for fun ways to spend your time inside, pick up some Pet Honesty sticks. They are perfect to keep your pet occupied for ages, plus they offer health benefits at the same time. Choose between Hemp Calming Fresh Sticks or Allergy Support Fresh Sticks.
Sources:
https://www.rover.com/blog/awesome-indoor-dog-activities/
https://www.womansday.com/life/pet-care/g32085722/indoor-dog-activities/
https://www.puppyleaks.com/easy-ways-to-keep-your-dog-busy-indoors/
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/how-to-keep-your-dog-entertained-indoors/
