Indoor games and activities for your dog
Even though Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring, we are sure to get more cold, rainy days. Here are some games and activities suggested by animal trainers that will help to keep your dog (or cat) physically exercised and mentally stimulated:
• DIY Treat Dispenser (Marsha Robbins, HARP)
Start with a large, empty, cylindrical oatmeal container. Poke holes large enough for dry dog food or treats to be able to fit through. Place a small amount of kibble or treats inside, replace the lid and let the dog push the cylinder around.
Vary the size of the holes for a bigger challenge. This works on problem solving by using sense of smell. Other DIY puzzles include egg cartons, toilet paper tubes and packing paper in a box — all with treats placed inside.
• DIY Ball Pit (Michael Troiano, HARP)
Take a large empty box (not too tall) or kiddie pool and sprinkle a small handful of treats or dry dog food inside. Fill the box with plastic balls from a dollar store — the kind you would find in a child’s ball pit — and let the dog find the treats. This works on problem solving and dog’s desire to “forage” for food. You can even use this as a slow feeder for meals.
• Snufflemat (Suzanne Denk, Animal Friends)
Take a large towel, lay it flat and let the dog investigate the feel and smell. Sprinkle treats on the towel, then bunch the towel to make hills and valleys and roll it in a swirl to hide the treats. Don’t forget to help if the dog gets frustrated. Tight, small rolls are easier for learning unroll.
• Reinforce Calm Behavior (Lilian Akin, Akin Family Dog Training) Catch your dog relaxing while watching TV, hanging with you calmly or just resting on their own. Give them a treat. Reinforcing calm behavior and teaching the dog to “chill” can help with overarousal issues in times of stress.
• Use food to “work” (Vinnie Soma, Say it Once Dog Training)
Instead of feeding your dog a meal, take half the food and work on basic obedience — sit, come, stay, down, leave it, even heel on a leash. Take the rest of the food and hide it in small bowls or around a room in your home. After a few minutes of training and when the food is gone, let him go on a scavenger hunt for the rest.
Lead him to the first bit of food so he knows there is food around the room. You can also create a trail of treats. Not only will this keep your dog mentally and physically challenged, but it will also keep him from becoming overweight because he isn’t receiving extra treats.
• DIY Mini-Sniffing Mats
Dogs love to sniff a rag, rug, fleece or T-shirt strips tied together, or any fringe mat in which treats can be hidden can stimulate your dog’s mind and help them to relax. Spread multiple small mats throughout the room and let your dog move from mat to mat to find the treats. You can even put a trail of treats to connect the mats. • Muffin Tin Shell Game
Start with a muffin tin or minimuffin tin, depending on the size of your dog. Fill each tin with a few pieces of kibble or treats and let your dog lick or paw them out. Once he gets the hang of it, cover the tins with tennis balls (or smaller balls for a smaller dog). The dog will have to remove each ball to get at the treat underneath.
To increase the challenge, leave some cups empty, but cover all of them with balls. The dog will have to use scent to find the treats. • Beginning Scent Training Try some indoor scent games for dogs. Begin with four or five empty containers such as a shoebox or yogurt tub. Place them in a group on the floor and bait a few with smelly treats. Then allow your dog to sniff the boxes to find the “treasure.”
To increase the difficulty, spread the boxes out around the room and use the “find it” command. When the dog finds the treat, be prepared with several more treats in your handto celebrate his success. • Blowing Bubbles
Grab a bottle of bubbles or a bubble toy and let your dog or cat try to pop them. It will stimulate the animal’s mind and some will even chase them.
• Hide and Seek
If your dog is able to sit, stay and come, she can play this fun game. Take her to a room and ask her to stay, then leave and hide in a different location. Then call your pet’s name to come and find you. Be ready with some kibble or treats to celebrate her success!
• Obstacle Course
You can make this as easy or as hard as you want with simple household items — broken-down boxes for your dog to crawl through, chairs turned upside down and even a stack of books for them to jump over.
• Cardio Twist
You can set up “poles” using household objects such as chairs or even friends or family members standing in a room. Put your dog on a leash and instruct him to heal alongside you as you weave between them. You can vary your pace and even change direction. This is a great way to work on coordination while also giving you both a cardio workout.
• Add a new trick
Your dog can always learn something. It can be something physical such as an obstacle course or a tunnel that a child crawls through, or “roll over” or “speak.” Whatever the trick, the fact that it’s new will stimulate a pet’s brain. • Watch TV with your dog Although not physical, it’s always nice to spend time with your dog. Check out Animal Planet or AKC.tv
— tips provided by Animal Friends, American Kennel Club, Humane Animal Rescue Pittsburgh, Akin Family Dog Training, Say it Once Dog Training and Marsha Robbins