Fun indoor games to play with your dog: 12 simple ideas for rainy days

Fun indoor games to play with your dog: 12 simple ideas for rainy days

It's half past four, it's already dark, the rain is coming sideways and your dog is staring at you as if to say, "So… what are we doing now?" When walks are shorter, indoor games for dogs are a lifesaver. Ten minutes of sniffing, thinking and playing can tire your dog out as much as a long walk – and it's great fun for you both. Here are 12 simple indoor games you can play at home with things you already have, plus tips to keep them calm, safe and rewarding.

Dog and cat cuddled up together on a rug

At a glance:

Sniffing is tiring: Scent games use your dog's nose and brain, and are one of the best ways to tire a dog calmly indoors.

Short and often: Five to ten minutes of play, a few times a day, works better than one long session.

Finish calmly: End every game with a settle or a chew, so your dog learns that playtime winds down.

Treats count: Use tiny pieces, or part of your dog's daily food, so indoor games don't mean extra pounds.

In this guide:

Why indoor games matter for dogs

Dogs need more than exercise. They need things to sniff, problems to solve and time with you. When the weather keeps walks short – or your dog is recovering, getting older or a puppy who can't go out yet – indoor games fill the gap.

The benefits are simple:

  • A calmer dog: Mental work is tiring. A dog who's had a good sniffing game often settles better afterwards.
  • Fewer "naughty" moments: Bored dogs find their own entertainment – often your shoes.
  • A stronger bond: Playing together builds trust and makes training easier.
  • Better manners: Many games practise useful skills like waiting, finding and giving things up.
  • Something for every dog: Indoor games suit puppies who can't go out yet, older dogs who tire quickly on walks and busy dogs on rainy days alike.

If your dog has a health condition, is on medication or you're worried about a change in them, please speak to your vet first about what kind of activity suits them.

Sniffing and scent games

A dog's nose is their superpower. Sniffing games are the easiest way to tire your dog out indoors.

1. Find it

Show your dog a treat, ask them to wait, and put it on the floor a few steps away. Say "find it" and let them go. Gradually hide treats behind furniture, under a cushion, then in another room.

2. The cup game

Put a treat under one of three plastic cups while your dog watches. Shuffle slowly and let your dog nose the right cup. Reward with the treat underneath. Start with one cup if your dog is new to it.

3. Snuffle mat or towel roll

Scatter small treats in a snuffle mat, or roll them up in an old towel and let your dog unroll it. Brilliant for busy minds and great for slowing down fast eaters.

4. Scatter feeding

Scatter part of your dog's dinner across a rug or a clean kitchen floor. They'll spend several happy minutes sniffing out every piece.

Brain games and puzzles

5. The cardboard box challenge

Put a few treats inside a cardboard box with some scrunched-up paper, fold the top loosely and let your dog work out how to get in. Stay nearby and take the box away once the treats are found, so it doesn't get eaten.

6. Muffin tin puzzle

Put treats in a few holes of a muffin tin and cover every hole with a tennis ball. Your dog has to move the balls to find the treats. Easy to make harder by using more balls.

7. Puzzle feeders

Shop-bought puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys come in lots of difficulty levels. Start easy so your dog succeeds quickly, then move up.

Training games

Training is one of the best indoor games of all. It's mentally tiring and it builds skills you'll use every day. Our complete guide to training your dog with treats covers the basics.

8. Learn a new trick

Rainy days are perfect for tricks: spin, paw, bow, touch (nose to hand) or "go to bed". Keep sessions to five minutes and reward every small step with tiny pieces of a tasty treat. Soft meaty mini strips are easy to tear into small rewards.

9. Hide and seek

Ask your dog to wait (or have someone hold them), then go and hide in another room. Call your dog and celebrate when they find you. It's a lovely way to practise recall indoors.

We play this a lot on dark evenings. Miss Dixie gives a little "wooo" when she finds us behind the bedroom door, and Mr Barnaby charges in a second later as if he found us first. It's the quickest way we know to make them both happy and sleepy.

Gentle active games for indoors

Indoor play doesn't have to be calm all the time – but keep it gentle to protect joints and furniture.

10. Tug with rules

Tug is a great game when it has simple rules: your dog takes the toy when you say "take it", lets go when you say "drop" (swap for a treat at first), and the game pauses if teeth touch skin. A soft rug helps your dog keep their footing.

11. Mini obstacle course

Make a course with cushions to step over, a broom across two books to hop, and a blanket "tunnel" over two chairs. Lure your dog through slowly with a treat. Keep jumps very low, especially for puppies, older dogs and long-backed breeds.

Calm games for winding down

12. Settle on a mat

Teaching your dog to relax on a mat is one of the most useful "games" there is. Reward calm lying down with a slow drip of treats. Our guide on how to teach a dog to settle explains it step by step.

A chew to finish

After a busy game, a long-lasting chew helps your dog wind down. A natural yak chew, made from yak milk, keeps dogs busy and satisfies their chewing instincts. Choose a size your dog can't fit fully in their mouth and stay nearby.

Keeping indoor games safe

  • Clear the space: Move breakables, cables and anything slippery.
  • Mind the floor: Laminate and tiles are slippery – play on a rug.
  • Keep jumps low: Especially for puppies, older dogs and dogs with joint problems.
  • Choose a "finish" game: End with a settle or a chew, not at peak excitement.
  • Watch for tiredness: Some dogs don't know when to stop. Five to ten minutes is often enough.
  • Supervise toys and boxes: Take away anything that's being chewed into pieces.
  • Count the treats: UK Pet Food advises that treats make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories. Use part of their daily food for scatter games and puzzles.

Old favourites like laser-pointer chasing have been left out of this updated guide, because they never give your dog anything to "catch" or a clear end to the game. Games that finish with a found treat or toy are more satisfying.

Choosing the right treats for indoor games

The best treats for indoor games are small, tasty and easy to break, so you can reward lots without overfeeding. Single-protein, grain-free treats are kind to sensitive tummies, and strong-smelling meaty treats are perfect for scent games because they're easy to find.

Our meaty bites are small, meaty and grain-free – ideal for "find it", the cup game and trick training.

When the sun finally comes out, our guide to exciting outdoor games to play with your dog has plenty more ideas.

Summary:

Indoor games for dogs keep your dog happy and calm when walks are short. Sniffing games, puzzles, training, gentle tug and settle practice all work their brain and body. Keep sessions short, play on a non-slip surface, finish calmly with a settle or a chew, and use tiny treats or part of your dog's daily food so playtime doesn't mean overfeeding.

FAQs:

Q1: How do I keep my dog entertained indoors?

Mix sniffing games like "find it", puzzles such as the muffin tin game, short training sessions and calm activities like a chew. Five to ten minutes a few times a day is usually enough to keep most dogs content on a rainy day.

Q2: What indoor games tire a dog out?

Scent games are some of the most tiring because they use your dog's nose and brain. "Find it", scatter feeding, snuffle mats and hide and seek are all great. Training a new trick is mentally tiring too.

Q3: Can indoor games replace a walk?

Indoor games are a brilliant top-up on wet or dark days, but most dogs still need time outside every day. If your dog can't go out for a health reason, ask your vet what kind of activity suits them.

Q4: What is the best indoor game for a puppy?

Gentle "find it" games, a snuffle mat and very short training sessions are perfect for puppies. Keep sessions to a few minutes, avoid jumping and let your puppy nap afterwards.

Q5: Are cardboard boxes safe for dogs to play with?

A cardboard box with treats inside can be a fun puzzle, but stay nearby and take it away once the treats are found. Don't let your dog eat the cardboard or tape.

Q6: How many treats can I use in indoor games?

Treats should make up no more than 10% of your dog's daily calories, according to UK Pet Food. Use tiny pieces and consider using part of your dog's daily food for scatter games and puzzles.

Ready to make playtime simple? Try our natural training treats – small, meaty and grain-free.

This guide is general information to help you care for your dog. It isn't a substitute for advice from your vet, who knows your dog's individual needs.

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