When the weather is uncooperative, you’re short on time, or you’re living in an apartment, finding creative ways to entertain your dog indoors can be a challenge. But don’t worry—indoor time doesn’t have to mean boring time for your pup.
In fact, there are plenty of fun, engaging, and mentally stimulating games you can play with your dog inside your home. These games not only burn off energy but also strengthen the bond between you and your furry friend.
This comprehensive guide covers indoor games for all dog sizes and energy levels, and many of them require little or no equipment. Let’s dive in!
🧠 Why Play Matters (Especially Indoors)
Indoor games help your dog:
- Stay physically active (preventing obesity and joint stiffness)
- Get much-needed mental stimulation to avoid boredom
- Reduce destructive behavior due to lack of engagement
- Build confidence and learn new skills
- Strengthen their bond with you
Whether you live in a small apartment or have a large house, your dog can benefit from structured indoor play sessions.
🥇 1. Hide and Seek
This classic game isn’t just for kids—it’s one of the best games you can play with your dog indoors!
How to Play:
- Ask your dog to stay (or have someone hold them).
- Go hide behind furniture, inside closets, or under tables.
- Call your dog’s name excitedly.
- Reward them with a treat or affection when they find you.
Why It’s Great:
- Builds recall skills
- Boosts problem-solving
- Strengthens the human-dog bond
Pro Tip: Start with easy hiding spots and gradually make it harder.
🧸 2. Interactive Toy Time (KONG, Puzzle Toys, Snuffle Mats)
Dogs love to work for food—especially when it’s part of a game.
Ideas:
- KONGs: Fill with peanut butter, yogurt, or kibble and freeze.
- Puzzle Toys: Make your dog solve a puzzle to unlock a treat.
- Snuffle Mats: Hide kibble or treats in fabric strips to encourage foraging behavior.
Why It’s Great:
- Provides mental enrichment
- Slows down fast eaters
- Keeps your dog engaged for long stretches
DIY Option: Use a muffin tin, tennis balls, and kibble for a homemade puzzle toy!
🏋️ 3. Tug-of-War
Tug-of-war is a great way to tire out high-energy dogs and teach impulse control.
How to Play:
- Use a rope toy or durable fabric.
- Let your dog tug, but teach a “drop it” or “release” command.
- Resume play as a reward when they release the toy.
Benefits:
- Strengthens jaw and neck muscles
- Reinforces obedience commands
- Builds trust and respect
Myth Buster: No, tug-of-war doesn’t make your dog aggressive—it’s a healthy outlet when played with rules.
🔍 4. Find the Treat (Scent Work)
Dogs naturally love to sniff—turn it into a fun game!
How to Play:
- Start by showing your dog a treat.
- Have them stay while you hide it somewhere easy to find.
- Release them with a cue like “Find it!”
- Gradually make it harder by increasing distance and difficulty.
Variations:
- Hide treats under cups and shuffle them (like a shell game).
- Scatter kibble across a room and have your dog “hunt.”
Why It’s Great:
- Builds confidence
- Sharpens scent detection skills
- Provides calm, focused enrichment
🎾 5. Indoor Fetch (Yes, It’s Possible!)
Fetch doesn’t have to be an outdoor-only activity.
How to Play:
- Choose soft toys or lightweight balls.
- Clear a hallway or room to make space.
- Toss short distances to keep things safe.
Safety Tips:
- Avoid throwing near breakables.
- Don’t play on slippery floors.
- Use soft or squeaky toys only.
Mini version: Roll balls down the hallway instead of throwing.
🕹️ 6. Obstacle Course / Indoor Agility
Turn your living room into a fun agility playground!
Use Common Items:
- Chairs + blankets = tunnel
- Broomstick balanced on boxes = jump
- Hula hoops = jump-through target
- Pillows = balance challenge
Benefits:
- Builds coordination
- Great for training commands like “jump,” “tunnel,” and “go around”
- Keeps dogs physically and mentally stimulated
Pro Tip: Guide them with treats or a favorite toy through each obstacle.
🎓 7. Teach New Tricks
Training sessions can be just as fun as games, especially when combined with tasty rewards.
Trick Ideas:
- Sit, stay, down
- Spin, shake, high-five
- Roll over, play dead
- Back up, weave between your legs
Tools You Can Use:
- Clicker (for clicker training)
- Treat pouch
- Target stick
Why It’s Great:
- Strengthens communication
- Builds focus
- Enriches daily routine
🐶 8. The Cup Game (Shell Game)
This game engages your dog’s brain in a playful way.
How to Play:
- Use 2-3 identical cups.
- Hide a treat under one while your dog watches.
- Shuffle them slowly.
- Let them sniff or nudge the correct cup to win the treat.
Challenge:
- Increase speed or add extra cups as your dog improves.
🎲 9. Name That Toy
Yes, your dog can learn toy names!
How to Play:
- Start with one toy and repeatedly say its name: “Get your ball!”
- Reward when they retrieve the correct item.
- Add another toy and distinguish the names.
Dogs Can Learn:
- Over 100 toy names (like Chaser, the Border Collie, who knew over 1,000 words!)
🛋️ 10. Cuddle & Calm Games
Not every game needs to be active. Some dogs enjoy calm, bonding games like:
- Massage and grooming sessions
- “Find it” with slow treat placements
- “Name the body part” (e.g., touch nose, paw, tail with a cue)
These low-energy games help reduce stress and deepen your connection.
🐾 Tips to Keep Indoor Play Safe and Fun
- Remove breakables or sharp items before high-energy play
- Use non-slip rugs or yoga mats to prevent slipping
- Stick to short play sessions with breaks in between
- Always supervise playtime
- Tailor games to your dog’s age, breed, and personality
💡 Bonus DIY Toys and Games
Want to go the extra mile? Try these easy DIY ideas:
- Sock and bottle toy: Put a crinkly plastic bottle inside a sock and tie the end
- Treat tube: Cut holes in a toilet paper roll, fill with kibble, and seal the ends
- Homemade flirt pole: Attach a toy to a string on a stick and dangle it around
🧠 Mental Enrichment Is Just as Important as Exercise
A tired dog is a good dog—but mental fatigue can be just as effective as physical exhaustion.
Just 10 minutes of training or puzzle-solving can be equivalent to 30 minutes of walking!
✨ Final Thoughts
Whether you’re stuck inside because of bad weather, recovering from surgery, or just trying to keep your dog entertained in an apartment, indoor games can be a lifesaver for you and your furry companion.
From classics like tug-of-war and fetch to mental workouts like scent games and trick training, there are plenty of ways to keep your dog happy, healthy, and enriched—no backyard required.
