5 Fun Indoor Activities To Do With Your Dog On Rainy Days
|
Rainy or chilly weather got you stuck inside? No worries! Discover 5 fun indoor activities to keep your dog happy, active, and engaged—no matter how gloomy it gets!
Why Keeping Your Dog Entertained is Essential
Keeping your dog entertained is essential, even when the weather is gloomy. Rainy or cold days can lead to boredom and stress, so keeping them engaged indoors is key to their happiness and well-being.
Here’s why:
😴 Preventing Boredom:
Stimulation helps avoid destructive behaviours and keeps your dog content.
🧠 Mental Stimulation:
Engaging activities challenge your dog’s mind, preventing boredom and enhancing cognitive function.
🏃♂️ Physical Exercise:
Indoor activities help your dog stay active, which is important for their overall health and fitness.
🤗 Strengthening Bond:
Fun activities provide opportunities for quality time and strengthen your bond with your pup.
1. Build an Indoor Agility Course
Turn your living room into an adventure! You don’t need fancy equipment—just some household items like chairs, cushions, and blankets.
Set up obstacles for your dog to weave through, jump over, or crawl under. It’s a fantastic way to keep your dog active and improve their coordination.
Plus, it keeps their mind sharp as they figure out how to navigate the course.
Why we love it: This activity burns energy and strengthens your dog’s confidence. At Years, we’re passionate about holistic, mentally stimulating activities like this!
2. Interactive Toys & Puzzle Games
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise, especially on dreary days.
Interactive toys and puzzles are an excellent way to challenge your dog’s brain and keep them engaged.
You can fill puzzle toys with your dog’s favourite treats and watch them figure out how to get to the reward.
Why we recommend it: Interactive toys promote problem-solving skills and prevent boredom.
3. Play Hide & Seek
Want to make your dog’s day? Play a game of hide and seek! Have them stay in one room while you hide in another.
Once you’re hidden, call your dog and watch them use their amazing sense of smell to track you down.
This game taps into their natural hunting instincts, making it both fun and mentally stimulating.
Years tip: To make it even more exciting, hide your dog’s favourite toy or a treat.
4. Tug-of-War
Sometimes, all your dog needs is a simple, energetic game of tug-of-war. Grab a sturdy rope toy and engage in a playful tugging match with your pup.
This game provides a quick burst of energy and keeps your dog physically active indoors, especially on days when outdoor play isn’t possible.
Why it works: Tug-of-war is a great way to bond with your dog, and it’s one of those timeless activities we love because it’s easy, fun, and strengthens the relationship between you and your pup.
5. Training Time
Indoor days are a great opportunity to brush up on training! Whether you’re reinforcing basic commands like "sit" or "stay," or teaching new tricks like "roll over" or "spin," training sessions are an excellent way to keep your dog mentally engaged.
Positive reinforcement with treats and praise makes the experience enjoyable for your dog.
At Years, we believe in lifelong learning for dogs. Short training sessions are not only good for mental stimulation, but they also deepen the bond between you and your dog.
Engage Your Dog Indoors- Rainy or cold weather doesn’t mean your dog has to be bored. Set up a fun indoor agility course, use interactive toys, or play games to keep them mentally and physically active.
Prevent Boredom and Stress- Keeping your dog entertained indoors helps prevent boredom and stress, which can lead to behavioural issues.
Strengthen Your Bond- Indoor activities offer great opportunities for quality time and strengthen the bond between you and your dog, making those gloomy days more enjoyable for both of you.
FAQs
What are some signs that my dog is bored or stressed indoors?
Signs of boredom or stress in dogs can include excessive barking, destructive behaviour, restlessness, and pacing.
How can I create a safe indoor agility course for my dog?
Use household items like chairs, cushions, and blankets to set up obstacles. Ensure there are no sharp edges or small parts that could harm your dog.
How long should indoor training sessions be?
Keep training sessions short and positive, around 5-10 minutes each. Frequent, brief sessions are more effective than longer, less focused ones
About the author
Amy Gossling
Brand Engagement Manager, Years (Dog Mum to TWO Newfypoos)
Amy Gossling is the Brand Engagement Manager at Years, where she brings her passion for pets and expertise in digital engagement to connect dog lovers with healthy, fresh food solutions. At home, she’s a devoted dog mum to two playful Newfypoos, Noodle and Bingo, who keep her busy and entertained. When she’s not crafting campaigns, you’ll find Amy exploring the outdoors with her pups or enjoying a well earnt nap!
