5 Ways To Keep Your Dog Busy Indoors

December 30, 2020 1 Comment

Now anyone who owns a dog or two knows that once they are bored, that's when they get into all sorts of trouble. However, as a dog owner that struggles to keep their dog indoors, be assured that you're not the only one. Almost every dog owner has the same problem, but if you address it the way you would maybe a bored child perhaps, your pet will get into a lot less trouble.

One way to decrease instances of your dog getting into trouble is to play with it a few times a day. Doing this will help prevent it from developing destructive habits like chewing your shoes or barking all day. However, not every dog owner has the time to play with their dog all day, and so there are a few other activities that should keep them busy and entertained for long enough to make sure they don't become destructive.

In this article, we'll look at 5 ways to keep your pooch entertained and happily indoors.

The Shell Game

It is a simple game that helps to hone your pet's problem-solving skills. To start playing the game, let your dog watch as you place their favorite treat under one of the three cups you have. Then shuffle them around and encourage the dog to find it. The game gives your dog mental stimulation and allows you to fine-tune some of those motor skills as you shuffle the cups around.

A Friendly Game of 'Find The Treats'

Your dog loves to use his or her nose, and it also tires them out. Teach your dog to play some basic nose games like 'find the treats.' Play these games long enough, and your pet will be drained. Plus, it helps them hone their natural abilities to find stuff.

Pick up a few treats, and then have your dog watch as you place them around the home. Then give the dog a cue to find these treats. Each time they find and pick one up, make sure to reinforce this behavior with a pat on the head. Once you know that your pet understands what it means to find these treats, you can make the game more challenging.

You Can Never Go Wrong with a Stuff Kong

Dogs love their stuffed kongs, and that's precisely why we humans love them too. Preparing them is super easy if all you want is for your dog to stay busy for a while. You can freeze some peanut butter inside the Kong or place their favorite treat inside.

However, make sure that the treats you stuff the Kong with are healthy for the animal, and they should like it too.

Teach Your Dog to Clean Up the Toys

If you tend to keep your pet's toys in a container, you should also teach them to put them back in the container. Sure, it sounds weird, but your dog should know how to clean up after themselves. Furthermore, it's fun and is one of the many activities that will tire them out.

So, if your pet already knows what 'pick it up' and 'drop it ’ means, then you can give them these commands to pick up each toy and put it in the container. Make sure to praise them each time they get it right.

Tug of War

We've rarely come across a dog that does not like a good game of tug of war. Fortunately, engaging in the game is easy, and it will also drain your dog of most of his or her energy. Plus, you don't need a whole lot of room to play it indoors.

Contrary to what you might hear people saying, tug of war does not make dogs more aggressive, and if you let them win, it does not make them more dominant. You should let them win because it makes the game more fun or because you're tired of tugging for so long!