10 Fun Indoor Games to Play with Your Dog

Playing games with your dog not only provides them with much-needed mental and physical stimulation, but it also strengthens the bond between you and your furry friend. While outdoor play is fantastic, sometimes the weather or other circumstances might keep you indoors.

Thankfully, there are plenty of exciting indoor games you can enjoy with your doggy companion, even inside your rental apartment. In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 best games to play with your dog indoors, ensuring hours of fun and laughter for both of you!

Hide-and-Seek

This classic game can be adapted very well for indoor play. Have your dog sit or stay while you find a hiding spot. Then, call out their name and wait for them to seek you out. When they find you, reward them with treats or a belly rub. This game not only engages their sense of smell but also reinforces their recall training. It’s a great way to have them explore the apartment safely as well, which is very good if you just moved with your pet to a new home.

Treat Puzzle Toys

Invest in interactive treat puzzle toys that challenge your dog’s problem-solving skills. These toys usually require your dog to figure out how to access hidden treats. Watching them maneuver and strategize will entertain you as much as it does them. Plus, this is a great option if you need to keep them busy while you are working from home, during meetings or interviews.

Indoor Fetch

You don’t need a massive open space for a game of fetch. Choose a soft toy or a lightweight ball and play fetch in a hallway or a room with ample space. Make sure there are no valuable items that could accidentally get knocked over during the excitement! Utilize your vertical space well and have your dog climb and jump to retrieve the soft toy. This will be a very good way of keeping them fit as well.

Tug of War

Tug of war is a great way to make sure your dog spends their energy while also reinforcing their impulse control. Use a sturdy rope toy and remember to let your dog win occasionally to keep the game fun and engaging for them.

Simon Says

Put a canine twist on this classic game starting with teaching your dog basic obedience commands like sit, stay, lie down, or spin. Take turns being “Simon” and issue the commands. Reward your dog with treats for following instructions correctly. This will be very mentally stimulating for them.

Scent Detection

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and scent detection games tap into their natural instincts. Hide treats around the house and encourage your dog to find them using their nose. You can make the game progressively challenging by hiding the treats in different spots that are harder and harder to reach. You can also hide treats higher up on stable surfaces, so your dog has to jump up, or under things so they have to search and access more difficult spots.

Indoor Agility Course

Create a mini agility course using household items like chairs, broomsticks, and cardboard boxes. Train your dog to navigate the course, jumping over low obstacles, weaving through poles, and crawling under makeshift tunnels. This game combines both exercise and mental stimulation.

Find the Toy

Show your dog their favorite toy, then have them wait in another room while you hide it somewhere in the house. Give them the “find it” command and watch as they use their senses to locate the hidden toy. Reward them with praise and playtime when they succeed.

Muffin Tin Treat Game

Place treats in a muffin tin and cover each treat with a tennis ball. Your dog will have a blast figuring out how to remove the balls and get to the tasty rewards. It’s a simple and fun game that will keep them entertained for quite some time.

Laser Pointer Fun

For dogs who love to chase, a laser pointer can be a great indoor game. Move the laser pointer around the room, and watch as your dog tries to catch the elusive light. Just be sure not to shine the laser directly into their eyes as that can be very dangerous.

Concluding Thoughts

Playing indoor games with your dog is an excellent way to keep them mentally and physically active, especially during unfavorable weather conditions. These ten games provide a mix of mental stimulation, obedience training, and pure fun that will create lasting memories for you and your furry companion. Remember to adapt the games to your dog’s age, size, and energy level, and most importantly, enjoy the precious bonding time with your beloved four-legged friend!