Entertaining Your Dog on Rainy Days: Fun Ideas and Games
by Friends of the Dog
by Friends of the Dog
Rainy days, especially when they drag on for a few days, can certainly create a bit of a stir, both for dogs and their owners. It's not unusual for dogs to get restless and even irritable when they can’t burn off their energy outside, especially if they’re used to being active or playing outdoors. That, combined with the frustration of being cooped up inside, can lead to all sorts of mischief—boredom, excessive attention-seeking, or even squabbles between pets.
Rainy days don’t have to mean boring days for your dog! Here are some creative and simple games you can play using household items to keep your pup entertained and mentally stimulated.
Games Using Household Items
Cardboard Boxes: Hide a treat inside a cardboard box, fold it up, and let your dog have a blast trying to get to the reward.
Plastic Bottles: Drop a couple of treats inside an empty plastic bottle, then let your dog figure out how to get them out. Just be mindful that they don't rip the bottle apart, and take top off for safety. A good idea is to get one of the bottles that are covered with a crinkly sleeve which makes it safer for dogs, plus they love the noise!
Empty Paper Towel Rolls: Place a few treats inside the roll, fold up the ends, and hand it over. Your dog will love the challenge of getting the goodies.
Egg Cartons: Put treats in an egg carton and close it. Let your dog use their nose and paws to open it and find the treats inside.
Old Towels: Lay a towel flat, sprinkle some treats in the middle, and roll it up like a pretzel. Watch your dog work to unroll it and get the reward!
Nose & Sniffing Games for Your Dog
Even if you don’t have a scent hound, you can still have a lot of fun with nose games! Bulldogs and other breeds can excel at these games too, and they enjoy the challenge. Start with easy activities and gradually make them more difficult as your dog becomes more skilled.
Kongs & Treat Dispensing Toys: These are wonderful to keep dogs busy and mentally stimulated. There is a vast array of them available.
The Shell Game: Grab three plastic or paper cups and place a treat under one. Ask your dog, “Which one?” When they sniff out the correct cup, praise them and lift the cup to let them enjoy their reward. Once your dog gets the hang of it, shuffle the cups around before asking, “Which one?”
Which Hand?: Hold a treat in one hand, close both hands into fists, and ask your dog, “Which one?” Let them choose and give praise when they find the right hand.
Find-It: This game encourages your dog to use their nose and brain to locate hidden treats or toys, offering both mental and physical stimulation. If your dog gives up after searching for 30- 45 seconds, offer a little assistance by standing closer to the treat or toy.For
* Beginners: Start by tossing a treat a few feet away and say “Find it!” Repeat several times.
* As They Get Better: Ask your dog to sit or lie down and stay while you hide the treat in a slightly more difficult spot (e.g., just out of sight around a corner). Release them with “Find it!” and let them search for it. Increase the difficulty as your dog improves, and soon you’ll have them searching all over the house.
Snuffle Mats: These mats are a fantastic way to entertain your dog. They’re designed for dogs to sniff out hidden treats, and we’ve linked to an article below that shows how they work and how to make or buy one.
Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys are a great way to engage your dog’s brain and encourage them to work for their food. They can be filled with hidden treats, making mealtime more fun and stimulating.
Benefits of Puzzle Toys: Nose work is a great way to keep your dog mentally sharp, and the deep breathing it encourages can be very soothing for dogs. Puzzle toys can be used with dogs of all ages and activity levels, even senior or injured dogs. For younger pups, start with simple puzzles that require lots of interaction with you and positive reinforcement. For older or less active dogs, puzzles that focus on nose work are perfect because they don't require much physical movement.
By introducing a variety of these games and toys, you'll ensure that your dog stays entertained and mentally stimulated, even on rainy days!
Rainy days don’t have to mean boring days for your dog! Here are some creative and simple games you can play using household items to keep your pup entertained and mentally stimulated.
Games Using Household Items
Cardboard Boxes: Hide a treat inside a cardboard box, fold it up, and let your dog have a blast trying to get to the reward.
Plastic Bottles: Drop a couple of treats inside an empty plastic bottle, then let your dog figure out how to get them out. Just be mindful that they don't rip the bottle apart, and take top off for safety. A good idea is to get one of the bottles that are covered with a crinkly sleeve which makes it safer for dogs, plus they love the noise!
Empty Paper Towel Rolls: Place a few treats inside the roll, fold up the ends, and hand it over. Your dog will love the challenge of getting the goodies.
Egg Cartons: Put treats in an egg carton and close it. Let your dog use their nose and paws to open it and find the treats inside.
Old Towels: Lay a towel flat, sprinkle some treats in the middle, and roll it up like a pretzel. Watch your dog work to unroll it and get the reward!
Nose & Sniffing Games for Your Dog
Even if you don’t have a scent hound, you can still have a lot of fun with nose games! Bulldogs and other breeds can excel at these games too, and they enjoy the challenge. Start with easy activities and gradually make them more difficult as your dog becomes more skilled.
Kongs & Treat Dispensing Toys: These are wonderful to keep dogs busy and mentally stimulated. There is a vast array of them available.
The Shell Game: Grab three plastic or paper cups and place a treat under one. Ask your dog, “Which one?” When they sniff out the correct cup, praise them and lift the cup to let them enjoy their reward. Once your dog gets the hang of it, shuffle the cups around before asking, “Which one?”
Which Hand?: Hold a treat in one hand, close both hands into fists, and ask your dog, “Which one?” Let them choose and give praise when they find the right hand.
Find-It: This game encourages your dog to use their nose and brain to locate hidden treats or toys, offering both mental and physical stimulation. If your dog gives up after searching for 30- 45 seconds, offer a little assistance by standing closer to the treat or toy.For
* Beginners: Start by tossing a treat a few feet away and say “Find it!” Repeat several times.
* As They Get Better: Ask your dog to sit or lie down and stay while you hide the treat in a slightly more difficult spot (e.g., just out of sight around a corner). Release them with “Find it!” and let them search for it. Increase the difficulty as your dog improves, and soon you’ll have them searching all over the house.
Snuffle Mats: These mats are a fantastic way to entertain your dog. They’re designed for dogs to sniff out hidden treats, and we’ve linked to an article below that shows how they work and how to make or buy one.
Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys are a great way to engage your dog’s brain and encourage them to work for their food. They can be filled with hidden treats, making mealtime more fun and stimulating.
Benefits of Puzzle Toys: Nose work is a great way to keep your dog mentally sharp, and the deep breathing it encourages can be very soothing for dogs. Puzzle toys can be used with dogs of all ages and activity levels, even senior or injured dogs. For younger pups, start with simple puzzles that require lots of interaction with you and positive reinforcement. For older or less active dogs, puzzles that focus on nose work are perfect because they don't require much physical movement.
By introducing a variety of these games and toys, you'll ensure that your dog stays entertained and mentally stimulated, even on rainy days!
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