A rainy day, an evening without a long walk, a dog pacing round the living room: everyone knows it. A dog also tires with their head, not only their legs. Here are simple ideas, with no expensive kit, to keep them busy indoors.
Why keeping busy matters as much as the walk
A flat dog needs to go out several times a day. Nothing replaces outings, and our guide to the number of outings for a flat dog helps you find the right rhythm. But indoors too, they want to sniff, chew, search and solve. When these needs have no outlet, they often turn to cushions, shoes or barking.
Scent is the key. For a dog, sniffing and searching take real mental effort. A short search session can tire them as much as a gentle walk.
Scent games
The kibble hunt
Take part of their daily ration. Show them a piece of kibble, put it a metre away in front of their eyes, and say "find it". Make it harder bit by bit: behind a chair leg, under a cushion, then in another room. Use their ration rather than extra treats, so they do not put on weight.
The homemade snuffle mat
An old towel is enough. Spread it out, scatter a few pieces of kibble, then roll it up or fold it like a concertina. The dog has to undo it with their nose and paws. Stay beside them the first few times, so that they do not chew it.
Surprise boxes
Cardboard boxes, kitchen roll tubes, egg boxes: slip a treat inside, close it loosely, and let them tear it open. Pick up the pieces of cardboard at the end. If your dog swallows what they tear, choose another game.
Games that make them think
The three cups game
Turn three cups upside down and hide a treat under one of them. Shuffle slowly. Your dog shows the right cup with their nose or paw, and you reward them. At the start, do not move the cups at all.
Learning a new trick
Five minutes of training a day keeps them busier than you might think. Giving a paw, spinning round, going to their bed, putting a toy in a box: each trick is built in small steps, with a treat or a kind word for every success. End the session on a success, before they tire of it.
Fillable toys
Hollow rubber toys can be filled with moistened kibble or wet food. Left for a few hours in the freezer, they keep your dog busy for longer. Choose a size suited to their jaw, big enough that they cannot swallow it.
Moving a little, even in a small space
- Hide and seek: ask them to wait, hide in another room, then call them once. They love finding you.
- Tug games: with a rope, gently, and with a clear rule. They let go when you say "drop", then the game resumes.
- A soft ball in the hallway: a few throws on a floor that is not slippery. On varnished parquet, a rug prevents slips and spares their joints.
Think of the neighbours below: save the running and jumping for outside, especially in the evening.
An example day
In the morning, an outing, then the kibble hunt for breakfast. At midday, a fillable toy while you work. In the evening, five minutes of tricks, then a game of hide and seek before the last outing. Nothing complicated: regularity matters more than length.
Quiet is part of the day too
A well-occupied dog needs to recover. After a play session, offer a calm moment: a suitable chew, or simply their bed. Chewing and licking soothe them. An adult dog sleeps for a good part of the day, and this rest counts as much as play.
The bed helps mark the transition. If it is away from busy routes, your dog will go back to it more readily after play. You will find our dog beds, sofas and mattresses, chosen to go with your living room.
When boredom hides something else
If your dog is destructive, barks or paces despite regular outings and games, boredom may not be the only cause. It may be distress when they are left alone: our guide to leaving your dog alone without stress gives you ideas. A sudden change in behaviour deserves a visit to the vet, to rule out pain.
In short
- Scent tires: hide part of their ration instead of serving it all in the bowl.
- Five minutes of learning a day are enough to keep them busy and strengthen your bond.
- Vary the games and put the toys away between sessions, so they stay interesting.
- Plan quiet time after play, in a bed in a calm spot.
- A behaviour that changes for no reason should be mentioned to the vet.