10 Fun and Creative Ideas to Keep Your Dog Busy

10 Fun and Creative Ideas to Keep Your Dog Busy

Are you looking for ways to keep your canine companion busy and stimulated while stuck indoors during the pandemic? It can be easy to get stuck in a routine with your pup, and mindless fetch games in the backyard can quickly lose their appeal. But don’t worry – there are plenty of ways to turn everyday activities into interactive playtime to keep your pup satisfied and engaged. Here are 10 fun and creative ideas to keep your dog busy!

Fetch

While it may be the “classic” doggy game, that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun for your pup. Throw a ball or a Frisbee for your pup to chase and fetch. Make it more interesting by varying the distance and direction of your throw, as well as having your pup fetch different objects, like sticks or rocks. You can also play fetch games with multiple dogs to create a competitive atmosphere.

Doggy Treat Maze

Nothing engages a dog’s natural curiosity and problem solving skills like a good doggy treat maze. All you need to create a treat maze is a few empty cardboard boxes, some PVC pipes and treats as the reward. Stack up the boxes and pipes to create twists and turns and feed treats to your pup as they navigate through the maze. This activity is sure to keep your pup’s attention and help tire them out quickly!

Hide & Seek

This classic game is lots of fun for most pups and can be done indoors and outdoors. Have your pup sit and stay while you hide their favorite toy. Then, call your pup and let them search around to find the toy. This game helps to stimulate your pup’s mental acuity and can even help practice their recall and search skills.

Tug-of-War

Tug-of-war is a great way for your pup to expend energy and release pent-up energy in a way that’s fun for both of you. Make sure to incorporate some basic commands into your game – like dropping the toy when you say “drop” – to create a productive tug-of-war session. Make sure to always use something like an old towel or rope, never their collar!

Ready Set Go!

If you are looking for an additional challenge for your pup, then an obstacle course could be the perfect activity. Gather some blocks, chairs, or even hula hoops. Set up the obstacles in a varied pattern, and let your pup dash through them. Add extra fun by hiding treats here and there or playing encouraging music as your pup runs around the course.

Sensory Stimulation

Sometimes all your pup needs is a little something different to engage and excite them. Gather an assortment of objects such as old clothes, towels, cardboard boxes and toys to set up a sensory stimulation station. Let your pup explore them with their nose and paws and uncover different textures, smells and sounds they might not have noticed before.

Virtual Explore Day

With modern pet cameras, you can give your pup the adventure of a lifetime without ever stepping foot out of the house. With WiFi enabled cameras, you can plug in and watch your pup roam about the house from anywhere in the world! This is a great opportunity for you to get some insight into how your pup spends their days and for them to explore some new places and spaces.

Long Leash Walks

For a long, leisurely walk that their kennel can’t provide, you can set up a long leash walk for your pup. A long leash helps to provide more freedom for your pup to explore their environment while still staying in your control. This is a great way to tire out your pup while getting some much-needed exercise and vitamin D.

Puzzle Toys

If your pup’s ready for a more stimulating activity, puzzle toys may just be the right fit. Puzzle toys require your pup to use cognitive problem solving in order to gain access to their treats. Time how long it takes for your pup to figure out how to reach their rewards and let the reward be the incentive for them to continue.

DIY Tricks

Teaching your pup tricks not only helps to boost their obedience, but it can also keep them entertained. Show your pup some new tricks - like rolling over, begging, playing dead - and watch them proudly show off their new skills. Now and then, switch up their repertoire of tricks by learning something new and keep your pup engaged.

Keeping your pup busy and entertained doesn’t have to be a chore. With these creative and fun ideas, you and your pup can have all the fun activities you’ll ever need to stay busy and engaged. From virtual exploring with pet cameras to physical activities like obstacle courses, you’re sure to find something to delight your pup and keep their brain and body healthy and energized.