Rainy-day indoor games for dogs

Anyone who owns a dog in the UK knows the feeling: rain lashing the window, the sky grey all day, and a dog staring at you as if it is your fault. Short walks still matter on wet days, but when the long walk is off, indoor games can fill the gap.

Mental work tires many dogs as much as physical exercise, so ten or fifteen minutes of brain games can make a big difference to an evening. Here are games that work in small flats and big houses alike.

Find it

Show your dog a treat, say “find it”, and toss it a short distance away. Repeat a few times, then start hiding treats behind chair legs or under the edge of a rug while your dog watches. Build up to hiding them while your dog waits in another room. It is simple, and many dogs love it. For more ideas, see scent work at home.

Hide and seek

One person holds the dog, or the dog waits on a “stay”, while another hides somewhere in the house. Then call your dog once. Reward generously when they find you. Start with easy hiding spots and make them harder.

The cup game

Put a treat under one of three plastic cups while your dog watches. Shuffle them slowly and let your dog sniff out the right one. Reward a correct nose-touch by lifting the cup. Many dogs get very good at this.

Muffin tin puzzle

Put kibble in the cups of a muffin tin and cover each with a tennis ball. Your dog has to move the balls to get the food. It is a free beginner puzzle using things already in many kitchens.

Box and paper foraging

Fill a cardboard box with scrunched paper, scatter kibble inside and let your dog rummage. Remove tape and staples first and supervise in case they start eating the paper.

Towel roll

Lay a tea towel flat, scatter kibble across it and roll it up loosely. Your dog unrolls it to find the food. Full instructions are in our DIY enrichment on a budget guide.

Treat-dispensing toys

A wobbling or rolling treat dispenser such as the KONG Wobbler makes your dog work for each piece of kibble. They can be noisy on hard floors, so you may prefer to use them on a rug.

Tug

Tug is a good indoor game for many dogs when played with rules: your dog takes the toy when you offer it, and lets go when asked, in exchange for a treat or another round. Keep it fun and controlled. Stop if your dog gets too excited or grabs at hands.

Short training sessions

Teach a new trick: spin, paw, touch your hand with their nose, go to a mat, or “settle”. A few minutes of reward-based training is real mental work. Use part of their daily food as rewards.

Indoor obstacle course

Use cushions, a broom laid flat across two books, or a blanket over chairs to make a simple obstacle course. Lure your dog through slowly with treats. Avoid jumps or slippery surfaces, especially with puppies and older dogs.

Settling down afterwards

After a game session, give your dog a calming activity, such as a lick mat or a chew, so the evening winds down rather than ramps up.

Safety

• Clear breakables and trip hazards before games.
• Use rugs or mats on slippery floors.
• Use part of your dog’s daily food allowance for rewards.
• Supervise toys and remove broken pieces.
• Dogs still need toilet breaks outside, rain or not.

Gear for wet weeks

You can search Amazon UK for indoor dog puzzle toys (affiliate link, opens Amazon UK) or dog drying coats (affiliate link, opens Amazon UK) to make wet walks less messy. Check sizes and live prices in the listing before buying.