We all have to go to work. Some of us have puppies, and we all know they can get bored staying alone in the house nine-ten hours a day. I know I would. What we could do is at least entertain them when we are there.
Please find below a list with ideas on what you can do with your dog when you are back home to make up for the lost time.
20 Simple Ways to Keep Your Dog Entertained Indoors
- Hide the dog’s favorite treats and allow it to look for them
Find places around the house where you can place your dog’s favorite treats. Then, encourage your companion to sniff and search for them.
- Fun with stuffed Kong toys
Kong toys are precisely made for those days when the dog spends too much time indoors. They can be easily stuffed with dog food and treats, being resistant at the same time. So, your dog will be entertained and busy while chewing on the toy and trying to get that food out.
- Play tug-of-war
Who says it wouldn’t be fun to play tug-of-war with your sociable poodle?
Every dog loves a bit of tug-of-war, so this is a great game to play indoors. Just use a resistant toy for this. Also, make sure that your dog plays nice. Do not encourage aggressiveness or growling. Instead, teach your dog to let go when asked and reward them when behaving nicely.
- Turn your dog into your personal assistant
Dogs love being around their owners and family, so spending time inside with the dog can also mean that you can make it your trustworthy assistant. Teach it to help you with the house’s chores, like to bring you things, open doors, and so on. It is true that you may need patience until the dog gets the idea, but it will be fun for both of you.
- Make the dog deposit some effort for its meal
We want to know our dog is safe and comfortable; this is why we take best of care of it and offer it everything it needs. Still, making the dog work a little for its meal is not a bad thing at all. It keeps its mind busy and makes the meal more interesting. There are special toys that gradually release food, as soon as the dog figures out how to use them.
- Teach your dog how to put away the toys
Yes, it is possible to have a neat dog that puts away its toys once the play session is over. It’s easier if the dog is already familiar with the “drop it” command. If not, you will have to teach it first. Then, make the dog pick up a toy, go next to the toy container, and have it drop it there.
- Use a lightweight ball to play catch
If you have sufficient space indoors or own a small dog, you can play catch inside. Just use a lightweight ball so you don’t risk breaking anything.
- Play “hide and seek” with toys
Just like you used to hide treats, you can do the same and hide your dog’s favorite toys. You may want to start hiding them in areas where they are easy to find, increasing the difficulty of the game as soon as your dog gets the hang of it.
- Teach the dog how to perform a new trick
When the weather is bad and both you and your dog are bored, use this valuable time to teach your companion a new trick. It can be rolling over, playing dead, weave through your legs, or any other trick you can think of.
- Practice commands with the dog
This can be very useful, especially in case you have a puppy or young dog. You can use the time you spend indoors to make sure that your dog knows the basic commands and is capable of behaving nicely. While it is recommended to practice commands in busy areas too, where distractions will test your dog, practicing in a quiet and family environment is always great.
- Hide and let your dog search for you
This is probably one of the most amusing games you can play with your dog indoors. When your pooch is not paying attention, go hide. Then give the dog a little call and make it look for you. Most certainly you will have a blast.
- Let the dog have fun with special puzzle games
If you visit the pet shop, you will see that there are special puzzle games created for dogs. These games will capture their attention, stimulate their mind, and keep them busy for a very long time. A puzzle game can be the ideal solution when the dog is bored or spends too much time indoors.
- Give your dog a relaxing massage
Dogs can also be affected by stress, so giving them a nice massage will help them relax and get rid of any tensions. Of course, this is not the only reason you should give your dog a massage. They simply enjoy it, just as humans, and strengthen the bond between the two of you. There’s plenty of info online if you want to find out how to give your dog a proper massage.
- Groom your dog or work on getting it used to this process
Grooming is more than necessary, both for the dog and for you. It keeps your house free of dog hair and dust, and it gives you the chance to check your dog, looking for any potential problems. Not to mention that grooming will maintain a glossy coat and healthy skin.
- Make the dog catch bubbles
Making bubbles and allowing your dog to catch them is a very simple way to keep both of you entertained indoors. But, it would be great if you can choose toys for bubble making from pet shops, as they don’t use substances that can be toxic to your dog.
- Have some dog friends over
If your dog has some dog friends, perhaps among your neighbors or friends, having a dog friend over can definitely translate into an amusing play date for your four-legged companion.
- Get your dog a new toy
Everybody gets bored with the same old things, so don’t be surprised if your dog doesn’t feel any attraction toward its old toys. Get it a new one and spark its interest once more. It doesn’t necessarily have to be an expensive toy, as it is enough that it’s a new one.
- Teach your dog some manners
It is very important for your dog to understand that a calm state of mind is highly appreciated. So, teach it to stay and wait patiently, when requested. Such a skill can turn out to be very useful in a wide range of situations.
- Make it guess the hand with the treat
Place a treat in one hand and close the fists of both of your hands. Cross them and place them in front of your dog, making it guess which hand holds the treat. Instead of doggy treats, you can use carrot pieces, as they are healthier.
- Just sit back and relax together
Of course, there are those days when you don’t feel like doing anything. So, just hit the couch with your dog and relax together, maybe even take a nap.
About the author:
Jason Goldstein works as a Marketing Specialist for Premier Pups. He takes great pride in partnering with the best certified breeders in Ohio to offer the highest quality, cutest puppies for adoption. He looks forward to sharing his love for pets with people through the agency.
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