Rainy Day Activities
It’s that time of year again and–as Oregonians–we’re no strangers to rainy weather. But sometimes, the rainy season seems to stretch on forever! So, what can dog owners do to keep their dogs entertained when it’s too stormy to play outside or go for walks? Well, here are a few trainer-approved ideas to get you started!
Training Exercises
There are actually lots of training exercises you can do with your dog indoors to keep them mentally stimulated. Take one of your dog’s commands, like Sit or Down, and practice adding more distance, duration, and distraction to the command. See what happens if you try to walk away from your dog—leave the room, bounce their favorite ball, or drop a sealed bag of treats on the ground. Work with your dog to overcome these challenges. Not only will that give your dog a mental workout for the day, their commands will be better for the future!
Play Some Games!
Try to be creative and see what games can be played inside. Games like fetch or tug can be played in the house with some modifications. Perhaps tossing the toys shorter distances, utilizing a hallway, or temporarily moving furniture can create a bigger space to play with your dog. You could also try teaching your dog some new games such as hiding a toy for them to find or practicing their recall from across the house.
Hint: If you practice adding more training and sprinkling commands into your play sessions, you will have more control of your dog while playing, making it safer and more realistic to play with them indoors without things getting out of control.
Treat Puzzles
Like training, doggie puzzles can give your dog a nice mental workout. They don’t require a lot of space and costs range from free to about $30-$40. They can be as simple as a Kong stuffed with treats to a complicated puzzle devised to thwart even the smartest dogs. Internet searches for dog treat puzzles can get you started. One warning though: be cautious about what materials and objects your dog can be trusted with. Many puzzle toys do not account for dogs that are heavily destructive or dogs that have a tendency to swallow inedible objects. A good rule of thumb is to keep your pup supervised as they work on the puzzle, then remove the toy once they have successfully solved it.
Practice Relaxation
We often overlook the importance of practicing relaxation and teaching our dogs when it is time to just be calm. Practice having your dog lay down or hold Place on their bed for increasing periods of time. Teach your dog that there is a time and a place for exercise, games, and training time, and then there are times where they are expected to relax and self-soothe. If we don’t prioritize this skill, our dogs start to need increasing amounts of attention, exercise, and stimulation that becomes difficult to manage.
Try A Treadmill
If you feel like going the extra mile, here’s another option–investing in a dog-safe treadmill! Whether you don’t have time to go for a walk or you’re nursing a sprained ankle, having a treadmill means that you can still keep up with your pup’s fitness, regardless of the weather outside. Training a dog to enjoy running on a treadmill really has no downside—plus, you can do it at home in your pajamas!
Dogs generally need some form of mental stimulation and physical activity each day. So the next time you find yourself stuck inside on a rainy day with a pup that’s ready to play, consider pulling out some of these fun and engaging activities!