Fun And Engaging Indoor Activities To Keep Your Dog Entertained This Summer

Last summer, I decided to take a few weeks off from work, and spend some time at my parents’ place. As excited as I was to see them, I was looking forward to meeting my dog, Coaster, the most!  I had not spent a whole summer with him in a very long time, and couldn’t wait to make new memories with him together! 

But as soon as I reached home, I realised that the weather is too extreme to be stepping out with my dog. Coaster was getting bored and restless at home, and he was equally sad that couldn’t enjoy a game of fetch with me. So I thought to myself, “Why let the heat ruin all the fun? If we can’t step out, let’s stay in and make it count!” And I ended up having the most unforgettable summer with my sweet Coaster!

Summers are usually the seasons when stepping out can get limited due to extreme heat. It can limit outdoor activities, but it doesn't mean that your pet has to stay at home and get bored. You can resort to lots of indoor pet activities and keep them entertained, mentally stimulated, and physically active. No matter the season, pets require lots of exercise and play time to keep them healthy and happy. In this blog, I will tell you all fun games to play with your pet, indoor activities with your pet and other things you can do to keep your pet entertained indoors. 

• Indoor Game of Fetch
  
  
  

Let's talk about a classic game that dogs just can't resist - fetch! And guess what? You don't even have to go outside to play it. Yup, you heard that right! You can have a blast with your furry friend right in the comfort of your own home. Here's what you need to do: grab a soft and lightweight toy that won't cause any damage to your home. A plush toy works great! 

Then, clear out some space in your living room, or any other room where your dog can move around freely. And voila! You're ready to play indoor fetch.

All you have to do is toss the toy around and ask your dog to fetch it. It's that simple! Oh, and don't forget to reward your pup every time they bring the toy back to you.

Indoor fetch is not only a super fun activity to do with your dog, but it also helps your dog burn off some of that extra energy, improves their coordination skills, and keeps their minds occupied. It's a win-win situation for both you and your furry friend!

• Tug of War
  
  
  

To play tug of war, you'll need a tug toy - this can be anything from a rope toy to a stuffed animal. Make sure it's sturdy and won't fall apart easily. Then, find a safe and open space to play, away from any breakable items or furniture.

Once you have your tug toy and space ready, it's time to play! Hold one end of the toy and let your pet grab onto the other end with their teeth. Then, start pulling gently and let your pet pull back. This tug of war can go back and forth until one of you gives up or until a predetermined time limit.

Tug of war is a great way to bond with your pet while also providing them with some much-needed exercise. It's also a good opportunity to teach your pet some basic obedience commands, like "drop it" or "leave it."

However, it's important to keep in mind that tug of war can also have some downsides. If your pet has a tendency to be aggressive or possessive, tug of war may not be the best game to play with them. It's also important to set some ground rules and boundaries to ensure that the game stays safe and fun for everyone involved.

• Interactive Toys
  

Did you know? Interactive toys can become your dog’s best friend when you can’t step out to play! This summer, bring home an engaging toy and your dog will absolutely love this new kind of pet indoor activity. Interactive or engaging toys give your dog the opportunity to stimulate their brain and not get bored while sitting at home.

There are many interactive toys you can choose from to keep your dog entertained indoors for hours. Some are treat dispensing toys, while some make a squeaky sound, while some come in the form of a snuffle mat. You can hide treats inside a snuffle mat or put peanut butter on lick mats and let your dog have fun finding them. This way, you are not just providing them hours of playtime, but also rewarding them with yummy treats. It’s a win-win!

It’s Training Time!

When you can’t step out and train your dog like you usually do, you can turn this into a wonderful opportunity. Turn boring time into learning time! Utilise this time to teach your dog some basic commands indoors or brush up on the commands they already know. Make training fun by turning it into a dog game. If you have a puppy at home, start with commands like sit, stay, lie down, fetch, shake paws and others via a positive reinforcement technique. You can reward them with treats every time they learn a command to keep their enthusiasm up. Training sessions are a great way to bond with your dog. You can go a step further by teaching them tricks that are comfortable learning. Or set up a small agility zone at home by laying cushions on the floor. As you practise these indoor activities for your dog, don’t forget to praise, reward and treat them for their efforts. And watch your bond with each other grow stronger. If you are looking for some quick yet effective videos to help you in training your dog at home, our YouTube channel will be of great help. Watch the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@HeadsUpForTailsOfficial

• Hide & Seek
  

This classic game is not just for kids! It can be easily adopted as an indoor activity for your dog or as a dog indoor game. Dogs love using their noses, and hide and seek is a fantastic way to engage their sense of smell. Start by having your dog sit and stay in one room while you go hide in another room. Call out your dog’s name, and ask them to come towards you. Let them know that you are waiting for them to find you. If at first your dog doesn’t follow what is happening or is getting anxious, you can use treats or their favourite toy to get them to come to you. Once they discover you, reward them with treats or their toy.  This is one of the most fun games to play with your dog, and is also a great way to stimulate their senses and keep them mentally active.

• Treat Hunt

As mentioned above, dogs love to sniff out things. It helps them challenge their olfactory senses, so it makes for a fun indoor activity to do with your pet. You can turn this into an engaging treasure hunt for them. Hide their favourite treats all around the house, and let them find them. You can start it by hiding them at easy spots of the house or somewhere where they can easily reach, and then gradually make the game more challenging for them. This is a great way to keep them occupied for hours and stop them from getting bored.

• Make Room for Groom
  
  
  

Staying indoors whilst you have nothing else to do can get boring. But you can turn boring into interesting by taking out sometime to groom your dog. Yes, while we wait for the weather to get better, how about grooming & looking our best? You can try regularly grooming your dog at home, like brushing their coat, nail trimming and taking care of their dental health. If they are long due for a bath, this is a good time to bathe them with some gentle and effective dog shampoos. All these grooming activities are essential for your dog's overall well-being & for them to always look their best! So go ahead, get yourself some pet grooming tools & watch your dog glow!

So these are all the indoor activities I ended up enjoying with Coaster last summer! He loved doing each of these activities, and now every time I am home, he looks forward to playing again- Tug of War is his favourite game. So go on, bookmark this blog for some indoor activities you can do with your dog. Remember, this can be a great opportunity to spend some quality time with your dog, and also strengthen your bond with them. You can try each of these fun indoor games with your dog one by one. Notice which one they enjoy the most, then keep repeating them in regular intervals. This way, your dog will look forward to playing with you, and will not miss stepping outdoors or get bored at home. 

BRB- marking my calendar to plan a trip to visit my dog and do these activities with him all over again! Ciao!

Have a happy indoor time with your pet! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Taking your dog outdoors for a good exercise is ideal, but summer can do more harm than good. There are ways in which you can arrange indoor dog activities, which keeps them active physically & mentally. You can play fetch by moving away some furniture with plush toys, make an agility zone at home with cushions & toys or play treat hunt by hiding treats at different locations around the house.

The duration of exercise for your dog depends on their breed, age, size and overall health. It is recommended that dogs exercise between 30 minutes to 2 hours per day. If you’re still in doubt, contact your veterinarian to guide you.

Dogs can get excited while playing and playing indoors means constrained space. We recommend you to remove any sharp objects from the floor, keep all breakable items beyond their reach and move your furniture a little so that they do not bump into it. 

While some dogs do enjoy the comfort of the couch and napping most of the time, there are some dogs that enjoy running outdoors. This usually depends on your dog’s breed, age and health, and the climatic conditions of the area you are living in.

While going outdoors is not advised, especially during the day, you can always take your dog on a long drive. You can also go for a swim with your dog or visit an air conditioned pet store or a pet friendly cafe.