When the weather is not optimal, it is not always pleasant or possible to take your pooch outside. If he has to do his business well, the walks are limited to the strict minimum in order to avoid having to face the climatic elements. However, your little companion needs to exert himself. To help you entertain him, keep him occupied and stimulate him both physically and intellectually, here are 10 simple ideas to make him work indoors.
Getting your dog to work indoors: our 10 ideas to test!
Do you want to occupy your dog usefully inside your home? Here are some ideas to try!
Idea n°1: the obstacle course
In your house or apartment, find a space that allows you to set up an obstacle course for your little friend. A corridor or a space in length is a good playground to organize an obstacle course for the animal. Place anything that can form an interesting little circuit for your dog, such as chairs, cushions, boxes, tunnels, etc. It’s a great way to stimulate your pooch both mentally and physically.
Idea n°2: the game of hide and seek
The game of hide and seek is not just fun for children. Dogs are also fond of this stimulating activity. Have fun hiding around the house, in places that your dog can of course access. Playing with several people is all the more fun when you can call your doggie and he has fun finding all the hidden things. Each person found then distributes a small candy or a kibble as a reward.
The dog is having fun, he is stimulated, he exerts himself since he searches everywhere in the house and he enjoys receiving the long-awaited treat.
Idea n°3: the treasure hunt
Again, this children’s game can easily be diverted to satisfy dogs. They enjoy searching and snooping everywhere to find food or hidden objects. You can disperse kibble (from the dog’s daily ration) in small containers. Spread these around the house and hide them. Your dog will have to use his sense of smell to find them.
To vary the pleasures and the levels of difficulty, hide certain containers in places that the animal knows well and be inventive on other hiding places in order to encourage it to play without getting tired.
Idea n°4: the tunnel of chairs
A great classic, the chair tunnel is a good way to create a playground with multiple possibilities. You can guide your pooch to crawl under it, jump over it, weave between chairs, and more. Reward your little companion with each success and vary the pleasures to encourage him to exert himself.
Idea n°5: the zigzag course
Create a zigzag course that your dog can have fun crossing more or less quickly. Help yourself with objects from around the house, such as tin cans, various containers, cushions, etc., and arrange them in such a way as to create different and stimulating paths.
Idea n°6: the cup game
Do you know the cup game for humans? You can create a dog variant that is sure to captivate your little friend! Take three cups and slip a kibble or treat under one of them. Your dog needs to see you do it so he knows which cup his reward is under. Wait for your pooch to point out the right cup with his muzzle to offer him the treat.
Thereafter, you can vary the game of the cup by moving the cups, not too quickly. Your pooch will have to follow the one with the eye candy in order to find the right one! Be inventive, but stay on his level. It’s about stimulating and occupying your dog, not trapping him. If the game is too complex, he will quickly lose interest.
Idea n°7: the candy ball
This toy is very useful for occupying a dog in the absence of his master or in his presence. You can slide kibble into this pierced ball and let your pet play with it. By pushing it with its muzzle or paw, it will release the treats in order to feed on them. This stimulates him, keeps him occupied and also helps curb his appetite if he tends to be gluttonous.
Idea n°8: the treadmill
Dog owners who are sporty themselves and who have a treadmill or treadmill at home can give their little companion the benefit of it. To avoid hurting the animal, start with the very slow mode then slowly increase the pace so that pooch starts to jog. A little kibble from time to time as a treat will motivate him to continue his little race.
Idea n°9: fitness
Fitness isn’t just for humans. Do not hesitate to decline this activity for your dog. Make him do rolls, jumps, tricks such as bowing, walking backwards, walking on two legs, etc. Find a whole bunch of exercises and vary the sessions to amuse your pooch and motivate him to exert himself.
Idea n°10: learning new tricks
Indoors, do not hesitate to review certain learnings and allow your little companion to learn new ones! Teach him to show off, to paw, to lie down, to sit or any other fun activity that can keep him occupied and stimulated, while being useful in the context of his education.
Making your doggie work indoors: what precautions should be taken?
Keeping your dog busy by having him work indoors is a good way to stimulate him and avoid boredom when the weather isn’t nice enough to go outside to exercise. If the ideas are numerous, it is however necessary to be careful not to take risks.
Here are some precautions to take to occupy your doggie at home.
- Adapted activities : the activities you offer your dog must be well adapted to his age, size and state of health. Avoid stimulating a weakened dog too strongly, or too big or too small for certain movements. If your dog is in fragile health, stimulate him above all intellectually.
- Right-sized games : adapt the activities and routes to your dog. They will necessarily be different for a large, medium or small doggie.
- Short intensive sessions : as soon as you stimulate your dog with intense physical activities (walking, running, etc.), the game should not last too long so as not to exhaust your doggie. About ten minutes are enough to amuse him and allow him to spend himself.
- Think about the reward : to prevent your dog from getting bored and tired of activities, consider offering short, varied sessions and congratulating him with a reward. Your encouragement will be useful to motivate him and encourage him to progress. As for the final reward, it will allow him to be congratulated for his efforts!