With the summer heat upon us, sometimes it’s just way too hot to go outside. If you’re having one of those days (or weeks) but your pup still needs to release some pent-up energy, why not find some ways to stay active indoors? We’ve got five awesome ways to keep your pup active indoors.
Scavenger Hunt
Who didn’t love a fun scavenger hunt as a kid? Dogs are natural scavengers and they will love nothing more than to spend time searching for food. Rather than feed them out of their regular food bowl, try feeding them out of a food puzzle – a device that has openings for food pieces to fall out. Or, stuff a Kong toy with canned dog food and freeze it. To make it even more challenging, hide treat pieces around the house (or just one room) and let your pup find them!
Play Games
Keep your pup on their toes by playing a variety of games. Tug-of-war is a great way to teach your dog self-control and fetch can be played indoors with soft toys. You can even increase the intensity by throwing the toy upstairs. Larger or more rambunctious dogs can play in open areas like the basement or empty garage.
Play Dates
Does your dog have a BFF? If so, why not invite them over for a play date? Clear out some furniture from the living room or other area in the house and let the pups have fun! You can even have more than one four-legged friend over to make it a true puppy party. Just make sure they are supervised at all times.
Indoor Agility Course
Indoor agility courses are a great way to keep your dog active indoors. You don’t even have to buy anything – you can use household items to create a fun and challenging course. Use chairs to simulate a weave pole. Use a couple other chairs and throw a blanket or sheet over it to make a tunnel. A broomstick placed over two buckets or a hula hoop can mimic a jump. You can even teach your dog to go through the obstacles with hand targets – or just treats to make it more lighthearted. Who knows, maybe you have a future agility dog on your hands!
Teach a New Trick
Being stuck inside is the perfect time to teach your pup a new trick. If they already know all the basics, try something more advanced like learning to speak on command, fetch a specific object or toy, or dance! The possibilities are endless. Your dog will appreciate the education and it’ll tire them out.
Being confined to indoors doesn’t have to be boring for your pup – or you! Next time it’s too hot or you’re stuck in a rainstorm, try a few these activities to make the most of your day spent indoors!
For the days when it is nice enough to play outside, why not treat your dog to a midday walk? Hiring a dog walker is the perfect way for your pup to get outside and burn off some of that energy. For all your dog walking needs, check out For Your Spot. Learn more about services here.