Are you stuck at home and your pup is getting antsy? Does your pup need some exercise but the weather isn’t cooperating? Have no fear! We have some creative ideas for how to give your dog plenty of exercises indoors. Keep reading to find out more!
Introducing Your Dog to the Treadmill
Now that we’ve discussed several ways to give your dog exercise indoors, let’s talk about introducing your pup to the treadmill. Regular human treadmills are not typically safe for four-legged friends, so you’ll need to get a treadmill built specifically for dogs. Start slow, making sure your pup is comfortable when the belt starts moving. If your dog is only walking, then only have them walk on the treadmill. Face it toward something interesting—nobody likes walking on a treadmill staring directly at a wall! Let them sniff and explore it before getting them used to it. A great way to get their heart rate going is to get them running. Why not try throwing a ball around with them in the garden first? That way, they will be familiar with the exercise and you can build up their confidence in a familiar environment before bringing it indoors.
Play Hide & Seek with Your Dog
Playing hide and seek with your pup is a great way to keep them entertained and exercised indoors. Start by getting your dog’s attention and asking them to sit and stay whilst you are in the room; when they can do this, leave for a few seconds and then call out their name or use a command such as “find me” or “come”. You can also put your pup in its crate, a fenced-off area, or a closed room. Take 5-10 high-value treats and hide them around your home. Once the pups have claimed their reward, I tell them to sit or down stay where they found me and go to my next hiding spot. This game helps your pup practice their sniffing skills, stay focused on finding you, and stay exercised indoors!
Engage in Tug of War
I love playing tug of war with my pup and it’s a great way to get their energy out indoors. It’s a fun and simple game that doesn’t require much space and is incredibly physically demanding. It takes very little time to tire out both my pup and me! I like to set up an obstacle course or play hide and seek with my pup before we start playing tug of war, so they can really get the most out of the activity. I also make sure to keep my pup motivated by giving them treats throughout the game. Tug of war is a great way to keep your pup active indoors, so don’t be afraid to get down on the ground and give it a try!
Set Up an Obstacle Course
Setting up an obstacle course for your pup is one of the best ways to provide exercise and agility training at home. You can easily create an obstacle course using items you already have – like chairs, tables, and boxes – even in the smallest of spaces. The zig zag obstacle is a great way to start, simply set up a row of small obstacles on the ground and have your pup tunnel through them. You can also set up jumping obstacles to help teach your pup how to jump. And don’t forget interactive toys, like a puzzle or a scavenger hunt – these are great ways to keep them entertained and engaged! With these activities, your pup will be getting plenty of exercise, even in the comfort of your own home.
Try a Puzzle or Interactive Toy
After setting up an obstacle course and playing hide & seek with your dog, why not try a puzzle or interactive toy to give them a mental workout? Puzzle toys and interactive toys can be a great way to stimulate your pup’s brain and keep them busy for hours. Food puzzles are especially great, as they use the best motivation: tasty food! These types of toys require your dog to figure out how to get the treats from the toy, providing a tough mental challenge. Not only do they help to stop your pup from guzzling their dinner, but they also keep their minds active. If you’re feeling crafty, you can even make some easy DIY toys at home. Tossing a ball or favorite toy between two people is always fun and engaging for your pup! So why not give it a go and see how they do?
Play Fetch Indoors
Playing fetch indoors can be a great way to give your pup the exercise they need, even when it’s too cold or wet outside. All you need is the largest area in your home and a ball or toy your pup loves. Start by throwing the object and let your pup bring it back to you. Switch up the direction and incorporate some training exercises while you’re at it. You can also practice obedience commands, such as sit, stay, and come. This will keep your pup engaged and active, while helping to release any pent-up energy. Hide & Seek, tug of war, obstacle courses, and scavenger hunts are also fun activities that can help keep your pup entertained while getting in some much-needed exercise.
Go for a Scavenger Hunt
After trying out all of these great indoor activities for your pup, why not add a bit of extra fun with a scavenger hunt? Doggy scavenger hunts are a great way to keep your dog active indoors and use their natural instincts. Simply hide small treats across the house and let him go on the hunt. You can even wrap some up with old towels so your dog has the extra challenge of trying to find them. It’s also a great way to provide mental stimulation, as your pup will be trying to use his sense of smell and problem-solving skills to find the treats. So grab a few treats, get creative, and have an indoor scavenger hunt with your pup today!
Practice Training Exercises
Practicing training exercises with your pup is an excellent way to keep them entertained indoors. Not only does it provide mental stimulation, but it also reinforces basic commands and behaviors. Start with simple commands like “sit” and “come,” and reward your dog for following the commands. If you want to take it a step further, you can increase the difficulty of commands by adding physical cues like pointing or clapping. You can even combine commands with the obstacle course or scavenger hunt activities to make it even more fun! And don’t forget to reward your pup with a treat after each successful attempt. With practice, your pup will be ready to show off their newly learned skills in no time!
Install a Dog Door for Added Freedom
As an additional way to give your pup more exercise and get them outdoors, you can consider installing a dog door. This is a great option for those looking to give their pet the freedom of their own door without compromising the integrity of their own. Once the door is fitted, it’s important to allow your pet to gradually become familiar with it – start by propping the door open or fitting the flap for easy access. It’s also important to ensure the flap can handle the thickness of the door and is self-framing, as this will keep your pup safe. Plus, giving your pup access to only a small indoor area right inside the dog door will help them understand that they should be eliminating outdoors instead of in the house! Installing a dog door is an excellent way to give your pup more space and exercise while still allowing them the freedom and safety they need.
Try Flyball or Frisbee
After introducing your pup to the treadmill, playing hide and seek, engaging in tug of war, setting up an obstacle course, trying a puzzle or interactive toy, playing fetch indoors, and going for a scavenger hunt, I’m sure they will be ready to get some fresh air. Flyball and Frisbee are two great outdoor activities that can provide plenty of exercise for your pup. Disc Dog is an easy and inexpensive game to play with your pooch – all you need is a Frisbee disc! Take them to an open space, fling the Frisbee, and encourage them to catch it. You can also try Flyball which is a team sport for dogs where teams of four dogs race against each other from a start/finish line over a line of hurdles to a spring-loaded box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses on the box’s top. Your pup will have loads of fun with either activity!
