Staying indoors for long periods can be tough on your pup, especially if they’re used to getting long walks or lengthy outdoor time. Whether you’re staying at home for social distancing or to keep safe from bad weather, you need to engage your dog to keep them from becoming restless and destructive.
Here are 10 indoor activities you might want to try:
If you don’t already have puzzle games for your dog, you can make one out of a muffin tin, some tennis balls, and some of your dog’s favorite treats. Hide treats in a few of the cups but cover all with tennis balls.
Have fun watching your dog uncover the correct cups and then try again.
Finding games stimulate your dog’s mind and scenting abilities. Hide a dog toy that excites them and teach them to “Find.”
Start with hiding places they can see and reward them when they give the toy back to you. Then, you can increase the difficulty of hiding places, so they learn to use their sniffers.
Dogs learn best when treats are involved.
Obedience training is something you can easily do indoors. The five basic commands include sit, down, come, stay, and leave it. There are tons of online videos that will help you do this.
But, if your dog already has them mastered, there are plenty of other fun tricks to try. Just make sure you have tons of treats and extra patience.
You can make dog treats out of ingredients you find in a typical kitchen. Sure, your pup can’t really help you bake. But they’ll definitely be there to enjoy the finished products.
To make the most of these treats, cut them into small pieces that you can use for training.
A tray of homemade dog treats. Photo by Jeffrey Beall. (CC BY-ND 2.0)
A woman and her dog practicing doga with the downward dog pose. Photo by ErharYaksaa. (CC BY-SA 4.0)
If you enjoy yoga, you might want to try sharing your practice with your dog. Doga might sound silly, but there are genuine benefits to you and your dog if you’re able to do it properly.
Plus, it’s an incredible bonding experience you can continue doing regularly, just like an actual yoga practice.
You don’t need a lot of space to make an obstacle course at home. You can use practically anything from furniture to books.
Then, guide your dog through it using some treats or a peanut butter-smeared spatula. You can even keep adding more obstacles as days pass to keep your pup challenged.
A German Shepherd comforting a Paralympic athlete. Photo by skeeze.
Take some introductory classes online to see whether your pup has what it takes to become a therapy dog. You can learn handler basics and hone the essential dog behavior at home.
Later on, you can even pursue therapy dog certification and volunteer in various facilities within your community.
Style a portion of your home and turn it into a makeshift studio. Dress your pup in a dog hoodie and have some fun with different themes.
Although this activity is mostly for you, your pup will surely enjoy it for as long as it involves belly rubs and unlimited treats.
A Dachshund wearing an DIY dog sweater. Photo by The Crafty Upcycler. (CC BY-SA 2.0)
There’s a whole lot of irresistible dog clothes to buy. But, if you’re bored and stuck at home, you can also make some yourself using stuff you probably already have.
The best part? You don’t even need any knitting or sewing skills. Here’s how to DIY dog clothes at home.
Stuck at home with lots of time on your hands? It’s the perfect time to start a social media presence for your dog.
Document all the things you’ve been doing at home and connect with other pet parents who are also staying indoors. Who knows? Your dog might end up being the next big social media pupfluencer.
Puppies in dog clothes like the Shark Monster raincoat are perfect for Instagram.
No matter how long it takes, staying at home with your dog need not be monotonous. There are always things you can do to have some fun indoors. But amidst all the activities, don’t forget to slow down and just hang out.
At the end of the day, your pup will just be happy to have you around.
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