A proper British downpour can wreck the best-laid walk plans. When the rain is coming in sideways and your dog is pacing by the back door, it helps to have a few indoor games up your sleeve. Here are ten easy ideas that use things you already have at home, plus a few bits of kit that make rainy days a little easier.
Why indoor games work on wet days
A short, soggy walk doesn't always take the edge off. Games that ask your dog to sniff, think and solve small problems give them something to focus on, and many owners find a good sniffing session leaves their dog happily settled afterwards. Mix a couple of the games below with a short walk and most rainy days become far more manageable.
Nose games: let them sniff it out
1. Scatter feeding on a snuffle mat
Sniffing is one of the most natural things a dog does, and it's easy to bring indoors. Instead of serving part of a meal in a bowl, sprinkle the kibble into a snuffle mat and let your dog root through the fleece to find every piece. Start with a few treats on top so they get the idea, then hide them deeper as they improve.
2. Find it
Ask your dog to sit and wait, show them a treat, then place it a short distance away in plain sight. Say "find it" and release them. Once they understand the game, hide treats behind chair legs, under a cushion corner or on the bottom stair. Keep it easy at first so they succeed quickly.
3. The three-cup game
Put a treat under one of three plastic cups, shuffle them slowly and let your dog choose. Most dogs will use their nose rather than their eyes, which is exactly the point. Lift the right cup when they nudge or paw at it and let them have the reward.
4. Muffin tin puzzle
Pop treats into a few holes of a muffin tray and cover every hole with a tennis ball. Your dog has to work out how to move the balls to reach the food. It's a simple, cheap puzzle that most dogs pick up within a few goes.
Slow, settling games
5. A lick mat session
Licking is a slow, steady activity, and a lick mat with suction cups turns a spoonful of soft food into a much longer treat. Spread on a thin layer of dog-safe food such as plain yoghurt or mashed banana, then stick it to a tiled wall or the side of the bath while you get on with something else. For a longer-lasting version, prepare it the night before and pop it in the freezer. Always check fillings are safe for dogs, avoid anything containing xylitol, and supervise while they lick.
6. Kibble rolling with a treat ball
Some dogs love to push things about. A treat-dispensing tumbler ball wobbles and rolls as your dog nudges it, releasing a few pieces of kibble at a time. Using part of their daily food means you're not adding extra treats, and it turns dinner into a game. Clear a bit of floor space and keep fragile things out of the way.
7. The cardboard box rummage
Save a few clean cardboard boxes and toilet roll tubes. Scrunch up some paper, scatter a handful of treats inside the box and let your dog rummage. Remove any tape or staples first, and take the box away if your dog starts eating the cardboard rather than searching it.
Training games that use their brain
8. Learn a new trick
Five-minute training sessions are ideal on wet days. Try "touch" (nose to your palm), "spin", "paw" or "go to bed". Use small treats, keep sessions short and stop while your dog is still keen. A new trick learned over a rainy week is something to show off when the sun comes back.
9. Hide and seek
Ask your dog to stay (or have someone gently hold their collar), then hide somewhere in the house and call their name once. When they find you, make a fuss and give a reward. Start with easy spots and work up to behind doors or in the bath.
10. Name the toys
Pick one toy and give it a name. Say the name as you hand it over, then ask your dog to "get" it from a small pile. Some dogs learn the names of several toys, and practising the game gives them a useful job to do on a grey afternoon.
Tips for making indoor games work
- Use part of their daily food. If you're feeding through games, take that amount out of their normal meal so they're not getting extra.
- Keep sessions short. Ten to fifteen minutes of sniffing or training is plenty for most dogs.
- Make it easy first. Dogs enjoy games they can win. Increase the difficulty slowly.
- Supervise. Food toys and mats are for play, not chewing. Put them away when the game is over.
- Finish calmly. End with a slow game such as a lick mat so the house can settle again.
A simple rainy-day plan
If you'd like a routine, try this: a quick wet walk in the morning, breakfast served in the snuffle mat, a five-minute training game before lunch, a treat ball session mid-afternoon and a frozen lick mat in the evening while you cook. It's not complicated, and it gives a soggy day some shape for both of you.
Ready for the next downpour
Rainy days are a fact of life in the UK, but they don't have to mean a restless dog and a frazzled owner. Pick two or three of these games, rotate them through the week and see which ones your dog enjoys most. All of our indoor brain games come with free UK delivery, so you can be ready before the next wet weekend.