The best ideas to keep your dog busy indoors
If the weather doesn't play ball or you simply can't go out, that doesn't mean your dog has to be bored. After all, there are plenty of ways to keep your furry friend occupied within your own four walls. Whether through exciting search games, new tricks or creative DIY projects - there are many ways to keep your dog physically and mentally occupied. We have put together the best indoor activities for you and your four-legged friend below.
Why mental exercise is so important for dogs
Dogs not only need exercise, but also mental challenges to keep them balanced and happy. If this mental activity is lacking, boredom can quickly set in, resulting in restlessness or undesirable behavior. Especially on days when long walks are not possible, it is important to keep your dog busy indoors. This will not only improve your dog's concentration and problem-solving skills, but also strengthen your bond. The right balance of physical and mental exercise contributes significantly to a happy and relaxed dog's life.
Meaningful dog activities for indoors
You can also implement many creative and varied activities indoors that promote both physical and mental exercise. Below we present various indoor activities that are guaranteed to be fun for your dog:
Learning new tricks & Learning commands
Learning new tricks and commands is a wonderful way to keep your dog busy indoors. Whether you're brushing up on basic commands such as "sit", "down" and "heel" or teaching him new tricks, training your dog helps him to concentrate and brings variety into your everyday life. You can get really creative with tricks in particular - you can teach your furry friend to pick up objects from the floor or help you hang up the washing. Little games such as "pawing" or "rolling over" are also lots of fun. Treats can serve as a reward and motivate your four-legged friend. Our low-calorie
Search games in the home
Search games are an ideal dog activity for at home. So-called nose work involves your dog using its nose to search for hidden treats or toys. You can vary the difficulty by hiding the objects in different rooms or under blankets and cushions. Start with easily accessible places and increase the challenge once your dog has got the hang of it. Our
Apportieren für mehr Bewegung
Apportieren doesn't always have to take place outside - you can also give your dog lots of exercise and fun indoors with this game. This game is an excellent way to release energy, especially in larger rooms or corridors. Start by teaching your dog the "stay" command. If he can sit and wait in a certain place, throw a toy or food dummy a few meters away. Then send him off to fetch the object. As soon as he has picked it up, call him back to you and have him give you the object. Then give him a small reward from the food bag.
Agility in the house: obstacle course using household objects
You can also keep your dog busy indoors with a home-made obstacle course made from household objects. For example, you can set up a broomstick as a hurdle, use bottles as slalom poles or improvise a tunnel with chairs. There are no limits to your imagination! Start with simple obstacles and increase the difficulty as soon as your dog can negotiate the course safely. You can either guide him or motivate him with treats to overcome the obstacles on his own. Our MOBILITIES MINISare suitable as a little motivation, as they support your four-legged friend's joint health. The parkour itself is also ideal for improving your dog's agility and coordination.
Intelligence toys for keeping your dog busy at home
Intelligence toys are a great way to keep your dog mentally challenged and occupied at home in a fun way. These brain teasers require your furry friend to operate certain mechanisms in order to reach the hidden treat. One example of this is so-called food puzzles. Some of them have sliding parts or flaps that the dog has to open. Others require him to turn or lift parts. This encourages him to think in a playful way, which strengthens his problem-solving skills and keeps him busy at the same time.
Sniffer rug, Kong & Co.
Sniffer rugs, Kongs and similar toys are perfect for keeping your dog occupied when he's home alone. With a sniffer carpet, you can keep your four-legged friend busy with nose work. You simply hide treats between the fabric fringes and your dog has to search for them with his nose. The Kong is also a fantastic choice - especially if you fill the rubber toy with wet food such as the ADULT Tetra Pak . If you want to increase the level of difficulty for your pet, you can also freeze the Kong. Licking not only provides long-lasting activity, but can also have a calming effect on your dog.
DIY ideas for varied indoor activities
With a few simple materials, you can create great activities for your furry friend. Here are three creative DIY ideas:
Towel: All you need for this DIY is an old towel. Spread it out on the floor, spread treats on it and then roll it up. Your dog now has to untangle the towel and find the treats. If you want to increase the challenge even more, you can also tie a knot in the towel.
Paper rolls: A simple but effective idea to keep your dog busy is to use empty toilet paper rolls. You can fill the rolls with treats and crumple the ends slightly. Your dog then has to open the roll to get to the treat.
Paper bag & Newspapers: For this indoor game, you will need a paper bag and old newspapers. Take the paper bag and fill it with some crumpled newspaper and treats. Then tie the opening shut. Your dog will now have to open the bag and rummage through the paper to get to the treats.
Our VEGGIES immune and VEGGIES skincareare particularly suitable for DIY projects. These healthy dog treats are the perfect size and support your pet's immune system and skin and coat health at the same time.
