Best indoor activities for a bored dog
A dog's energy has to go somewhere. On a day when a long walk isn't possible, these activities give it somewhere genuinely useful to go instead.
Mental work tires a dog out too
A focused 15-minute training or puzzle session can be as tiring as a much longer walk — mental effort is genuinely fatiguing, not just physical distance. Food puzzles, a 'find it' scent game hiding treats around a room, or practicing new tricks all count.
Simple indoor physical options
Stair fetch, a short indoor tug session, or a DIY obstacle course from couch cushions and furniture can burn real energy in a small space. Keep sessions short and stop while your dog is still enjoying it, rather than pushing to exhaustion.
Our mental enrichment ideas guide has a full list of food-based and scent-based games to rotate through.
Get "Mental enrichment ideas"
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