How to entertain your dog when you can’t go out

If there’s one thing we can rely on in the UK, it’s that the weather will be totally unpredictable! Spring is on the way, but there will still be days when the rain doesn’t stop, meaning you and your dog can’t get outside for your usual walk. The good news is that you can still entertain your four-legged friend when you can’t go out. Here are our tips to help you keep your pooch’s mind and body active indoors.

Keep to your routine

Dogs thrive with a routine because it helps them feel safe and secure and reduces stress. If bad weather keeps you inside, sticking to your usual mealtimes and exercise times will help your pooch stay calm and benefit their mental well-being. Keeping to the same feeding times also supports good digestion.

Routine is essential when you’re training a puppy, but it benefits older dogs too.

Make feeding time fun

Going outside doesn’t just let your doggo get some exercise. It also provides them with vital enrichment, letting them experience new sights, sounds and smells. You can recreate some of that by providing treats in different ways.

Dogs are naturally drawn to chewing and exploring things with their mouths, so making their treats last longer means they’re less likely to get bored and chew the furniture. Try longer-lasting chews or hide treats inside a Kong, then freeze it to make them last longer. Always check with your vet to make sure new treats are suitable for your pooch. You can also put their usual food on a lick mat to make it last longer.

Create a scent trail

Creating a scent trail is easy as you can simply hide your dog’s favourite treats around the house and send them off to find them. (Remember where you’ve hidden them in case they don’t find them all!) You can also use their favourite toys if you don’t want to overdo it with food treats.

You can use a scent trail to encourage your pooch to run around the whole house and get some exercise. If your doggo is older or has health issues that limit their physical activity, they’ll still get mental enrichment if you focus on a smaller area.

Practice your recall training

If you’re training a new puppy, you’ll probably do a fair bit of work inside, so carry on with your usual training tasks to keep them entertained. It can be fun to give your older dog some refresher training. Recall training is perfect as it lets your pooch run around. You can also practice sitting and staying so they can run in short bursts.

You can tailor your training to anything you and your puppy are working on or use it as a reminder to reinforce good behaviour at any age.

Play with toys

Playing with toys helps you and your dog bond with a shared activity. If you have the space, you can throw a ball or another toy and encourage your doggo to bring it back to you. Alternatively, try tug of war. You can do it in a small space, but it helps you and your pooch get some exercise.

Some dogs get overly excited during rough games, so always stay calm and keep a close eye on your pooch. Take a break if they need to calm down.

Enrich their environment

An obstacle course can get your doggo moving and provide mental enrichment as they must work out which way to go. You can use children’s activity toys such as fabric funnels, or use blankets and cushions draped over tables and chairs. Avoid slippery surfaces such as vinyl or wooden flooring and stick to carpeted areas to avoid collisions.

You could also let them weave through your legs. This is especially good on a wet weekend if you are unable to get out of the house.

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