Dog games. Activities with your dog at home.
Post Date:
July 18, 2024
(Date Last Modified: November 13, 2025)
Indoor games can help dogs expend energy, practice skills, and stay mentally stimulated using common household spaces and toys.
Safety, space, and prep for indoor play
Before starting any game, make the environment predictable and safe by removing breakables, securing cords, and checking floors for slip hazards. Clear at least 6 feet (1.8 m) of unobstructed space for running and fetch to reduce collision risk [1].
Choose toys that match the dog’s size and bite strength, avoid small pieces that can be swallowed, and inspect toys after each session for wear. Use gates or baby gates to limit access to stairways or open doors, and consider non-slip mats on hard floors to protect joints. Keep a basic emergency kit with a towel, clean gauze, and the owner’s contact info for the veterinarian or local emergency clinic within reach; know the nearest clinic before intensive play begins [1].
High-energy active games
Fast-paced indoor activities let dogs drain excess energy without long outdoor sessions. Hallway or stair fetch can add a controlled incline to exertion, but limit repeated stair sprints to short bouts; many trainers recommend keeping stair-based sprinting sessions to under 5 minutes total per burst for adult dogs to reduce repetitive stress [2].
Flirt-pole play and short tug-alternatives create repeated acceleration and braking; design play so each burst lasts just long enough for a confident sprint and immediate rest. Use doors or baby gates to prevent escapes during chase games and always reinforce a reliable recall cue before introducing games that invite running toward exits [2].
| Game | Space | Recommended session | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hallway fetch | 6–12 ft (1.8–3.7 m) | 5–10 min | Short repeats, soft ball |
| Flirt-pole | Open room or yard | 5–15 min | Monitor shoulder strain |
| Scent search | Whole home | 10–20 min | Low impact, high mental |
| Puzzle feeder | Any | Varies | Meal pacing and enrichment |
Interactive tug and socially engaging play
Tug can be an excellent socially engaging activity when clear rules are in place: start/stop cues, drop cues, and an agreed “game over” signal. Begin sessions as short controlled bouts; a common trainer recommendation is to limit initial tug sequences to 30–60 seconds before pausing so dogs learn impulse control [3].
Pick tug toys with reinforced handles and avoid frayed or thin fabric that can tear. Teach grip points and an acceptable bite zone so play does not turn into accidental mouthing on hands. Use tug to practice calmness: require the dog to sit and take a breath before resuming, using the game to reinforce pause-and-wait behavior rather than escalate arousal [3].
Scent and nose-work challenges
Nose work provides intense mental reward with low joint impact and can be adapted by difficulty. Start by hiding high-value treats in easy-to-find locations, placing them a few inches into a torn towel or under a low object, and increase concealment as the dog improves. Place initial hides about 2–6 inches (5–15 cm) under a cloth so the dog can detect the target but still practice searching [4].
Shell games and scent cups teach discrimination by placing one scented item among distractors, then progressively increasing the number of containers. Design scent trails by dragging a treat along a low-lying path for short distances at first and then increasing length and turns to build a reliable track and target behavior [4].
Puzzle feeders and food-based enrichment
Food puzzles slow intake and add cognitive effort to mealtimes; choose a puzzle that matches your dog’s problem-solving level and dental status. Rotate puzzles to maintain novelty and thoroughly wash or wipe toys between uses to reduce bacterial buildup. Measure kibble carefully: many adults need their daily amount divided across meals, and when using puzzles for enrichment it is common to supply 25–50% of daily food through puzzle toys to lower boredom while maintaining caloric balance [5].
- Soft lick mats for calm chewing and reduced gulping.
- Stuffable toys like Kongs for moderate difficulty and longer engagement.
- Rotating mechanical feeders or multi-compartment puzzles for advanced problem solving.
- DIY feeders: ensure openings are large enough to avoid entrapment and avoid glues or toxic paints.
When using DIY or commercial feeders, account for total daily calories and alter main-meal portions accordingly; oversized portions in puzzles can lead to overfeeding if not tracked [5].
Training games for obedience and tricks
Short, frequent sessions are generally more effective than long sessions; aim for multiple 3–5 minute focused blocks interspersed with rest and play to keep attention high and stress low [3].
Use marker training or a clicker to precisely mark desirable behavior and gradually fade food rewards to intermittent reinforcement for durable behavior. Build cue chains by connecting two or three simple actions (sit → paw → spin) and reward the sequence to teach longer behaviors while maintaining clear criteria for success [3].
Cognitive games and multi-step problem solving
Design tasks that require the dog to hold a short sequence in working memory, such as asking for a sit, placing two covers over reward locations, and then cueing the search; increase steps slowly so success rates remain high and motivation stays positive. Many dogs benefit from games that require 2–4 discrete actions before reward to build sustained attention and executive control [4].
Interactive toys that require pushing, sliding, and then retrieving reward pieces combine motor skills with planning; rotate items and progress difficulty to prevent habituation. Monitor stress signals—panting, yawning, freezing—and simplify tasks when signs of frustration appear [4].
Indoor agility and obstacle courses
Simple courses improve coordination and confidence: small DIY hurdles, weave poles made from lightweight cones or broom handles laid on the floor, and collapsible tunnels can be assembled in living rooms or hallways. For small or novice dogs, set hurdle heights low—around 4–8 inches (10–20 cm)—and increase height gradually as the dog’s coordination and confidence improve [2].
Keep obstacles stable and free of sharp edges, measure stride and step sizes before adding height, and always warm up with a short scent or recall game before higher-energy obstacles to reduce injury risk. Time courses for fun rather than competition and reinforce correct handling with food or play rewards [2].
Calming, low-impact, and senior-friendly activities
For puppies, seniors, or dogs with limited mobility, focus on nose games, stationary puzzles, and short training sessions that reinforce calm cues. Gentle massage, TTouch-style stretches, and slow auditory cues can reduce stress and encourage relaxed attention; professional resources outline basic techniques and contraindications for therapeutic touch [1].
Adaptive toys such as low-profile food puzzles, soft fetchable items, or mat-based scent stations keep engagement high without demanding high-impact movement. Modify intensity by shortening session length, lowering hurdle heights, or switching to seated cueing and hand-targeting to accommodate joint concerns and energy limitations [5].
Consistent supervision, progressive challenge, and attention to stress signals let indoor play remain safe, rewarding, and suited to each dog’s needs and physical capacity.
