“This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.”
Like humans, dogs need adequate exercise every day to stay in shape. When the weather is bad, outdoor activities like swimming or games of fetch are just impossible. Thank goodness, there are lots of indoor pastimes that you and your pooch can do to have fun, relieve boredom, and get closer to each other despite the harsh weather conditions.
Five Exciting Indoor Activities
- Chasing laser pointer. Buy a cheap laser pointer and let it flash to and fro on the floor. Watch as as your dog eagerly chases the laser beam back and forth. This will surely get your pup’s heart racing, but we’ve also heard it can drive him crazy. Decide for yourself if you want your dog to play with a laser pointer after you read this article.
- Running up and down the stairs. Stand atop the stairs and toss a toy down to Fido. When he grabs the object, call his name to bring the toy back to you. Try a few rounds and your pooch will surely be winded.
- Tackling obstacle courses. Look for objects inside the house that can be improvised to help Fido exercise. Try using cushions to build tunnels for your pooch to navigate or using old hula hoops for him to leap through.
- Finding treats. Hide some of Fido’s favorite treats around your house maybe underneath rugs or behind doors, and let your pooch track each of these delights down.
- Running on a treadmill. After helping your dog get comfortable with the device, put him on the treadmill and turn it on the lowest possible speed. Offer treats to keep Fido running on the machine.
Aside from these fun activities, you can also stimulate your pooch both physically and mentally by playing other games like tug-of-war and hide-and-seek, or teaching him some advanced tricks. For the tug-of-war game, never let Fido’s power and aggressive instinct overpower you. Remember to play it calmly and be aware of the risks. Playing hide-and-seek, on the other hand, can be done by letting Fido look for you while you hide in certain spots around the house. Just give him lots of treats and praises each time he finds you. Finally, advanced tricks like spinning and backing up can be taught for further stimulation and training. These new tricks will fire up his mental faculties and at the same time build up his basic skills while both of you stay indoors.
Annette Baker
May 3, 2014 at 12:29 am
I love to play hide and seek with my dog when it’s a rainy day and we haven’t been able to go for a walk. I’ll sneek off and hide in a room until she finds me then I chase her around the house then sneek off again.
Dakotas Mom
May 2, 2014 at 10:58 pm
when my dog goes outside for her bizness – i hide chunks of her treats down in the sofa cushions just under the chairs — under the table – and let her look hid and seek style lol also tossing them just beyond her so she has to run to get them is great
Lindsey
Dec 16, 2013 at 4:27 pm
I agree with some of the other posters as I don’t think you should have added the laser pointer in there as being good, especially since a lot of people will take your advice and try it out. All the other ideas are great but please no lasers people! They can bring out OCD in your dog as well as many other things. I rescued my rott and previous owners used this thinking it was “fun”. Took me a long time and a lot of hard work to get my dog to understand that glares off the wall and floor just from the sun or anything shiny were not objects to be chased…
Billt
May 3, 2014 at 9:08 am
I disagree. Everything in moderation. I have a LASER that I use both indoors and out to exercise our dog, and she loves it. When I put it away, she’s done with it. It’s a special treat that I don’t think she even thinks about until she sees me getting it out of the box the next time.
mariam
Nov 28, 2013 at 3:00 pm
those exercises were amazing they actually work.my shih tzu is really happy he can exercise again!
Bill
Jun 6, 2013 at 4:30 pm
Im surprised you included the laser pointer. With so much said written about the harmful affects of the laser , mentally and physically why would this magazine even suggest the use of it ?
Andi Lee
May 20, 2013 at 8:31 pm
We do all of the activities listed, with results even the laser; and yes my dogs are small.
Dana Brigman
May 20, 2013 at 3:59 pm
It’s definitely worth while to want to give your dog an activity when he can’t get outside for exercise — but running up and down stairs can be dangerous, laser pointers have been known to cause more problems than fun, and the obstacle course might just teach them to be rambunctious in the house — something I try to avoid. Further — running in the house might only be a good option if your dog is small — try these with a Dane or other large dogs and the outcome might not be favorable. There are other things to do!
Amber
May 20, 2013 at 3:30 pm
My deaf dog never like red laser. But best for her. She love wresting with me.
Billt
May 3, 2014 at 9:26 am
actually dogs can see green LASERs better.
Lisa DeRosa
May 20, 2013 at 3:29 pm
laser pointers drive dogs nuts, and not in a good way! Research has shown that dogs who can not catch the pointer get exasperated and anxious! If there is a treat to be found at the end of their frustrating back and forth and around in circles [while owners are giggling cause they find it so amusing] going nowhere fast trek, it would make the poor pup feel a bit less upset. Imagine how you would feel trying to chase the invisible ball and never be able to catch it.