5 Indoor Games for Dogs on Rainy Days
The rain’s coming in sideways and your dog has brought you the same toy twice. By the third time, it’s hard to pretend you haven’t got the message. A few minutes of play can give you both something to do while you wait for the weather to ease.
These five indoor games use things you probably already have at home. If your dog likes to sniff every blade of grass on a walk, start with the treat trail. If they’re already standing there with a toy in their mouth, skip straight to fetch.
1. Lay a treat trail
Start with three or four small pieces of your dog’s usual dry food or a few Dewkes Fishy Bites if fish is a favourite. Let your dog watch you lay the pieces in a line along a rug. Point to the first piece and say ‘find them’, then give your dog time to work their way along the trail.
Once they’ve got the idea, spread the pieces a little further apart or put the last one just around the corner. If they lose the trail, point to the next piece and let them take it from there.
2. Make a towel puzzle
Lay an old towel flat and scatter a few pieces of dry food or small treats near one edge. Fold the edge loosely over the food, leaving one piece showing. Your dog can eat that piece first, then use their nose to lift the towel and find the rest. If they get stuck, lift a corner for them.
Once one fold is easy, try two. You can work your way up to more complicated puzzles, such as bundling the towel into a ball or even a loose knot.
3. Play hide-and-seek
Start in the living room with your dog and someone they know. Ask your helper to stay in the room with your dog while you step into the hallway, just out of sight. Leave the door open.
Call your dog’s name from the hallway while your helper stays put. When your dog finds you, give them a little fuss or a treat. If they stay in the living room, peek around the doorway so they can see you and try again from there. Once they’ve got the hang of it, try hiding a little further along the hallway. Keep the game on one floor with a clear route between you and your dog.
4. Set up a toy search
Show your dog a favourite toy, then slide one end under a cushion while they watch. Leave enough sticking out for them to grab and say ‘find it’. When they pull it free, have a quick play together before you hide it again.
Once your dog knows how the game works, try hiding the toy somewhere else in the same room. Start with an easy spot, such as beside the sofa with part of the toy still visible.
5. Play a gentle game of indoor fetch
Pick a soft toy your dog likes to carry and find a clear space with a rug or other non-slip surface.
- Sit at one end of the rug and roll the toy a short distance along the floor.
- When your dog picks it up, say their name and pat the floor beside you to invite them back.
- When they come back, praise them. If they hold on to the toy, offer a small treat as a swap. Once they drop it, pick it up and roll it again.
- If your dog takes the toy off to play on their own, start closer next time. Even rolling it a foot or two is enough to get the game going.
How long should you play?
Start with a few minutes and let your dog choose whether to carry on. Keep rewards small, count them towards their daily food allowance and offer a break if they wander off. For a festive twist, try our Christmas enrichment ideas for dogs.
