Best Indoor Games for Rainy Days With Dogs
Stuck inside? Try scent work, trick training, and food puzzles to keep your dog mentally stimulated.
Why Mental Exercise Matters
A 30-minute walk burns physical energy but doesn't tire a dog's brain. Mental stimulation is equally exhausting and prevents destructive boredom behaviours like chewing, digging, and excessive barking.
Scent Work Games
Hide treats around the house and tell your dog "find it." Start easy (visible treats) and progress to hidden ones. Dogs use 10,000-100,000 times more scent receptors than humans — this is their superpower.
Trick Training Sessions
Teaching new tricks is the perfect rainy day activity. Start with simple ones: "spin," "touch" (nose to hand), "roll over." Each new trick challenges your dog's problem-solving ability.
Food Puzzles and Brain Games
Stuff a Kong with peanut butter and freeze it overnight. Use snuffle mats for mealtime. Puzzle feeders that require your dog to slide, lift, and rotate compartments can occupy them for 20-30 minutes.
- Rotate toys weekly to maintain novelty
- Hide your dog's dinner instead of using a bowl
- Play "which hand" — show a treat, hide it in one fist, let them choose
- Indoor games don't replace outdoor exercise — they complement it
Barbara Weibel
All our authors care for dogs every day — read more of their work on the authors page.
