Having a puppy can bring so much joy and happiness to your life. However, they also require a lot of attention and stimulation to keep them entertained and prevent boredom or restlessness. If you cannot take your pup outside due to bad weather or other circumstances, here are ten fun indoor activities to keep your puppy entertained.
- Hide and Seek: This classic game is not only fun for kids but also for puppies. Hide treats or toys around the house and encourage your puppy to find them. This will stimulate their natural hunting instincts and keep them mentally engaged. New puppy owners will love this bonding game! This simple game allows you to spend quality time with your puppy and have some fun!
- Puzzle Toys: Invest in puzzle toys for your puppy that require them to figure out how to get treats or rewards. Use healthy treats and doggie peanut butter smeared on the rubber mat puzzles. This will keep them entertained and help improve their problem-solving skills. These toys are great for bored puppies, provide an interesting indoor game and can provide hours of entertainment and keep them busy indoors.
- Indoor Fetch: If you have a spacious room or hallway, play indoor fetch with your puppy using soft toys or soft balls. Avoid using average balls or tennis balls as these could mark walls and damage furniture as they bounce. Clear any breakable items out of the way and create a safe playing environment. This game of fetch will help expel excess energy. Games of catch are fun games for dogs but be safe and avoid encouraging your puppy to run on slippery tiles or wooden floors where they could slip and injure themselves. You can incorporate some fun tricks such as teaching your puppy to give you their paw, sit or spin before you throw the ball each time, making it a fun training exercise. Remember to include plenty of positive reinforcement.
- Obstacle Course: Set up a mini obstacle course using pillows, blankets, a cardboard box and other household items in your living room. Guide your puppy through the course, rewarding them with tasty treats for completing each obstacle. This interactive game will help keep your puppy busy and use plenty of mental energy. Keep some of your puppy’s favourite treats for an extra special reward if they excel in this challenging game!
- Tug-of-War: Engage in a game of tug-of-war with your puppy using a rope toy or a plush toy. This will provide physical exercise and mental stimulation for your pup. Encourage your puppy to chew his toys, especially if he is teething. Encouraging chewing on toys will help deter your puppy from more destructive behaviors such as chewing your shoes or furniture.
- Treat Dispensing Toys: In addition to puzzle toys, treat dispensing toys are another great way to keep your puppy entertained indoors. These toys are designed to hold baked dog treats or kibble, and your puppy must figure out how to get the treats out. This not only provides mental stimulation but also encourages problem-solving skills. Brain games are particularly good for dogs that have boundless energy and helps channel their focus as well as being a great boredom buster!
- Training Sessions: Use indoor time as an opportunity to work on training with your puppy. Teach them basic commands such as sit, stay, or paw. Not only will this keep them mentally engaged, but it will also strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend. You can also test if you have reliable recall by increasing the distance each time. At the exact time your puppy does what you want, make sure you reward.
- Indoor Agility: Create a makeshift agility course using household items such as chairs, broomsticks, and hula hoops. Guide your puppy through the course, rewarding them with treats and praise for completing each obstacle. This will provide physical exercise and mental stimulation might even find that your puppy has a talent for this type of play and could end up excelling in advanced agility training as an adult dog!
- Hide and Sniff: Hide treats or toys around the house and encourage your puppy to use their sense of smell to find them. This game will stimulate their natural instincts and keep them mentally engaged. This is a challenging activity that your puppy will love! It offers a bit of activity without over exerting them.
- Interactive Toys: Invest in interactive toys that require your puppy to interact with them to get treats or rewards. This will keep them entertained and mentally stimulated while you’re unable to play with them directly. Activity ideas are good for dogs, they extend the boredom threshold and allow you to get on with your household chores or working from home in peace!
Remember, it’s important to always supervise your puppy during these indoor activities to ensure their safety. These are all fun games your dog will love. They will keep your puppy entertained and prevent boredom even when going outside isn’t an option.
