5 Fun Games You Can Play With Your Dog In The House To Keep Them Entertained
Whether you're stuck indoors due to the weather or just looking for some fun activities to do with your pup, these 5 games are sure to keep them entertained! From fetch to hide and seek, find out which game your dog loves the most and enjoy some quality time together.
Introduction
Dogs are social animals and love to play. When they're left alone in the house, they can get bored and destructive. To keep your dog happy and entertained, try playing some of these fun games with them inside the house.
Hide and Seek: This classic game is a great way to mentally stimulate your dog. Have them stay in one room while you hide in another. Once you're hidden, call their name and let them find you. Repeat as often as your dog seems to enjoy it.
Tug of War: Many dogs love to play tug of war. Just be sure to use a tug toy that's specifically made for this game and avoid using anything that could break or be torn apart, like an old sock. Start by letting your dog win a few rounds, then gradually make it more challenging for them so they stay engaged. It is important that your puppy learn to release the toy when you say so. Hold the toy in one hand and a training treat in the other. Place the training treat by their nose. When they open to eat the treat say "release" or "drop" and give them the treat.
Fetch: Fetch is another classic game that most dogs enjoy. You can play indoors with a soft toy or outdoors with a ball or Sailz. If your dog isn't naturally inclined to fetch, start by rolling the ball or Frisbee close to them so they see it moving and are encouraged to chase after it. With time and patience, most dogs will learn to love this game.
These are just a few ideas for fun games you can play with your dog inside the house. By keeping them mentally and physically stimulated, you'll help them stay happy and healthy while spending time indoors.
Game #1: Hide and Seek
One of the most classic games that you can play with your dog is hide and seek. This game is not only great for entertaining your pup, but it also helps to stimulate their mind. To play hide and seek with your dog, simply have them stay in one room while you go and hide in another room. Once you are hidden, call out their name and let them find you. This game is great for dogs of all ages and can be played anywhere in the house.
Game #2: Find the Treat
Have someone distract your puppy or put them in a crate so they can't see where you hide the treats. Take 10 low calorie training treats and hide them around the room. When you first start make it easy by placing the treats on the open floor with a few on the fringes. As your puppy gets better hide the treats on chair seats, under pillows, carpets and other things that make them harder to find. Let them activate their noses to help them.
Game #3: Follow the Leader
In this game, you'll be the leader and your dog will follow you around. Start by walking around the room and then give your dog a command to follow you, such as "come" or "follow me." As you walk, make sure to keep your pace slow so that your dog can easily keep up with you. If your dog starts to lag behind, give them a treat to encourage them to continue following you. Once you've made a few laps around the room, end the game by giving your dog a favorite treat.
Game #4: Target Training
If your dog is starting to get a little stir-crazy from being cooped up indoors, try out this fun and simple game to help burn off some energy. Target training is a great way to keep your dog's mind active, and you can do it right in your living room. All you need is a few small treats and a lot of patience!
To start, have your dog sit or lie down in front of you. Hold a treat in your hand and place it close to their nose so they can smell it, but don't let them have it just yet. Next, slowly move the treat up and over their head, towards their tail. As they follow the treat with their eyes, say the cue word "target" (or whatever word you want to use). Once they've looked all the way around at the treat, give it to them as a reward.
Repeat this process a few times, until your dog is consistently responding to the cue word. Once they've got the hang of it, start moving the treat further away from their body before giving them the cue to look around. You can also add in some distractions, like having someone else walk by or throwing a toy near them while they're focused on the treat.
With a little practice, your dog will be target training like a pro in no time!
Game #5: Treat Puzzle Games
Puzzle games are a great way to keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated. There are a number of different puzzle games available for dogs, and they can be a lot of fun for both you and your pooch.
Visit these links to see some durable puzzle toys that won't only extend the life of your dog treats, but also keep your puppy working for hours to get their treat out: Tux | Qwizl
Another Puzzle game that is popular with dogs is the Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy. This toy comes with three squirrels that your dog has to find and retrieve from the toy. This is a great game for dogs that love to play fetch, as they will have to use their nose to find the hidden squirrels.
Puzzle games are a great way to keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated. If you are looking for a fun way to bond with your dog, then consider playing one of these puzzle games with them. Wobble Bowl | Dog Smart | Hide N Slide
Conclusion
Keeping your dog entertained inside the house can be a great way to keep them healthy, happy and active. We hope these five fun games will give you some ideas of how to bond with your pup indoors and also provide them with lots of mental stimulation. So why not grab that toy box, set aside some time for playtime, and make sure your furry friend gets all the physical exercise they need even when you're stuck at home!