Quick answer: When you cannot go out, play find it, hide and seek, a muffin tin puzzle, a towel roll or a snuffle toy game. Short sniffing and thinking games can tire a dog as much as a walk.
10 games to try
- Find it. Toss a treat across the floor and say "find it".
- Hide and seek. Ask your dog to stay, hide, and call them.
- Muffin tin puzzle. Put treats in a muffin tin and cover each hole with a tennis ball.
- Towel roll. Roll treats inside a towel for your dog to unroll.
- Snuffle toy hunt. Use a toy like Guu Mushroom or Toto in Marine.
- Lick mat time. Spread a lick mat and freeze it on hot days.
- Cup shuffle. Hide a treat under one of three cups and let your dog choose.
- Trick training. Practise spin, paw or roll over for 5 minutes.
- Gentle tug. With rules, such as "drop it" to end the game.
- Cardboard box dig. Hide treats in crumpled paper inside a box. Supervise so no cardboard is eaten.
Tips
- Use small treats or part of your dog's meal.
- Keep sessions short and end on a win.
- Supervise all games.
More ideas are in our guide to DIY enrichment activities. Browse our enrichment toys for ready made options.
Frequently asked questions
How long should indoor games last?
5 to 15 minutes is plenty for most dogs.
Can games replace walks?
For a day or two they can help, but dogs still need regular exercise and outings.
