15 Dog Boredom Busters

When you’re stuck indoors due to bad weather, construction, or quarantine, even your doting pup can get tired of cuddling all day. What’s a dog to do when they can’t run that energy off at the park or in the yard? Try these fifteen ways of keeping your pet engaged and entertained until you can get out again.

1) Track the Treat

You’ll need three cups and a few of your dog’s favorite treats. Place a treat under one of the cups while your dog watches, then mix the cups around. Let your dog guess which cup the treat is under by nosing at it or indicating with their paw. If they guess correctly, they get the treat. Repeat for a few rounds, making it more difficult each time by mixing the cups around longer.

2) Indoor Obstacle Course

Get creative with household objects like chairs, pillows, broom handles, and cardboard boxes to create an obstacle course for your dog. As they get better at it, you can change sections of the course or add to it to keep them interested, making it more challenging each time.

3) The Rocky Run

If you have stairs, train your dog like a champ. Either run up and down the stairs with them, or have one person at either end and throw a toy for them to chase back and forth. This is a great way for high-energy dogs to get exercise within a small space.

4) Hide and Seek

This is a great activity for dogs ruled by their noses. One option is to hide treats around the house for them to sniff out. Alternately, you can have someone hide and see if Rover can sniff their way to solving the mystery of their missing person. (Pro tip: the bathtub or shower is usually a good hiding spot for humans!)

5) Bubbles

Who can resist popping a shiny, delicate bubble floating down through the air? Most dogs sure can’t! If you don’t have bubble fluid, just about any dish soap or hand soap mixed with a little water will work. If the solution is too thin you can even mix in a bit of cornstarch. As for the blowing wand, pipe cleaners, jewelry wire, or even drinking straws with string are enough to make some old-fashioned fun with your pet. This is a great activity for getting kids involved too!

6) Tug-O-War

If your dog doesn’t have a rope or preferred tug toy, you can tie knots in an old t-shirt or towel and spend the day testing each other’s strength.

7) Massage

Is your dog older or do they have health issues preventing them from being too active? Or perhaps your pup is just a little high-strung? Learning the art of doggie massage is a great way to alleviate stress, ease joint and muscle pain, relax, and deepen your bond. There are many videos online walking you through the basics. You might even turn it into a spa day! Massage, nails, warm bath, maybe a hair trim? Sounds good to us!

8) Spice Up Mealtime

Kill a little extra time while making dinner more interesting by serving it in a puzzle toy or kibble dispenser. The more your dog engages with it, the more food comes out. This is a fun way to play to all your dog’s senses and stave off the boredom of routine.

9) Keepaway

Instead of throwing a toy back and forth in the air and risking damage to your things while inside, try rolling a ball between two or more people on the floor. The more people, the more challenging and engaging for your dog. See if your dog can catch the ball as you pass it person to person.

10) Learn Something New

Of course you can teach an old dog new tricks! And if you’re stuck inside, why not try? Try teaching your dog new commands or brush up on obedience training. Is there a behavioral issue you’ve been too busy to address consistently? Use your extra time to get to the bottom of it in a fun way that makes living together a better experience for everyone.

11) Hit the Home Gym

Many dogs can be trained to walk on a treadmill, which is a great alternative when walking outside isn’t ideal. But you can also get your furry friends involved in your home workouts like yoga, pilates, and dance. Get moving together!

12) Fetch

If you have a hallway or long room, don’t let being cooped up inside stop you from playing the most tried and true dog game of all! Find a place, even if it’s on the narrow side, where your dog can indulge those chasing instincts.

13) Play Dates

Do you have a neighbor, friend, or family member your dog would love to visit with? Whether it’s another dog buddy or a human pal, spending time with someone different is a wonderful activity to shake up a pet’s boredom. Consider taking them to visit an elderly person or even a nursing home. Know of someone having a rough time? Would your pup brighten their day? Even a quick play date with a friend’s dog can make a world of difference!

14) Freezer Fun

Make treats last for the food-motivated by freezing them. You can mix some kibble with peanut butter and fill a hollow toy like a Kong or a marrow bone, then stick it in the freezer. The peanut butter will thaw gradually, keeping your dog busy for good while!

15) Muffin Tin Mystery

Tennis balls work best for this activity, but any toy big enough to cover the top of each muffin cup will do. Place a treat in only a few muffin cups, then cover all the cups with a ball or toy. Your dog will have to figure out how to get the ball out of the cup as well as where the treats are hidden.

What are your dog’s favorite rainy day activities? Tell us about it on our Facebook page . . . even better if you share pics!