Keep Your Dog entertained: 10 Fun Activities to do at Home

We all know that dogs love to be entertained. They need stimulation and something to do to keep them happy and occupied. That’s why it’s important to have some fun activities planned for your pup when you’re at home. Here are the best 10 ways to keep your dog entertained indoors: 

Give them something to scratch.

Dogs love to scratch. It feels good and helps them keep their nails trim and healthy. However, dogs can sometimes scratch too much, causing damage to furniture and carpets.

One way to help combat this problem is to give your dog something to scratch that is non-invasive. You can buy a scratching post, make your own out of cardboard, or a piece of furniture they’re not allowed to scratch!

This is perfect for dogs who love to scratch (which is most dogs…) Place it in an area where your dog likes to spend time and encourage them to use it by offering dog treats or praise. It feels good for them and gives them something to do.

In addition, a scratchboard can be a very useful tool for teaching your dog to shorten his nails. It’s a great option, especially while you are working on counterconditioning nail trims with clippers and/or grinders. Scratch boards are fairly easy to make and fun to train.

Scratch boards can be flat or curved and made of corrugated cardboard, wood, or PVC pipe. It’s important to offer a variety of textures for your dogs to choose from, depending on their preferences.

How To Train Your Dog to Use a ScratchPad Scratch Board - Front Feet

Give them a Kong.

If you’ve ever had a dog, you know how important it is to keep them entertained. They get bored just like we do, and when they’re bored, they often turn to destructive behaviors like chewing on shoes or tearing up couch cushions.

One of the best ways to keep your dog from getting bored is to give them a Kong. Kongs are durable rubber toys. They come in various sizes and styles, so you can find one that is perfect for your pup.

Kongs can also be filled with food or treats, providing your dog with a fun and rewarding challenge, making them a great way to maintain your dog occupied. You can even freeze Kongs for a longer-lasting challenge.

They’re also great for mental stimulation and can help to tire out a dog who might otherwise have too much energy. If you’re looking for a way to keep your dog entertained indoors and out of trouble, give them a Kong.

Play the “Which hand” game.

One simple game you can play with your dog is the “which hand” game. To start, have your dog sit in front of you and show him or her one dog treat in your closed fist.

Let your dog sniff your fist and then open it to reveal the treat. Next, close your fist back up and hold it out in front of your dog again. This time, when you open your hand, the treat will be in the other hand.

As you continue to play this game, your dog will learn to pay attention to both of your hands and try to guess which one has the dog treat. Not only is this game a great way to bond with your dog, but it also helps to sharpen their focus and attention span.

Playing videos or music for dogs can be a fun way to keep them entertained.

Put on a video or some music and see how your dog reacts. If they seem to enjoy it, keep playing it for them. If they don’t seem to be into it, try something else.

Dogs enjoy music, and it can be a great way to entertain them. Many different types of music are specifically designed for dogs, which can help calm them down or provide stimulation.

The study discovered that while classical music initially calmed the canines, they got bored after a few days. Reggae and soft rock, on the other hand, were the greatest genres for lowering tension, barking, and heart rates. This sort of music may be found online or at your local pet store.

TV channels.

There are also many videos and  Tv channels exclusive to dogs. These videos are designed to provide stimulation and entertainment for your dog. They often feature other dogs playing, running, and fetching, which can be very exciting for your pup. You can find these videos by simply searching on YouTube or another video-sharing site.

Many dog owners will tell you that the most beneficial aspect of dog TV, films, and music is that it keeps their dog engaged throughout the day while everyone else is at school or work. Separation anxiety or fear in dogs is a widespread and serious issue. Leaving the television on for them may help with this since it gives stimulus throughout the day.

Dog TV stations also offer additional features, such as specific exposure programs that are supposed to desensitize your dog to frightening sounds, such as a vacuum cleaner or an ambulance, by playing a soothing voice or music over the sound.

Puzzle toys and Hide and seek.

Puzzle toys are a great way to maintain your dog entertained. They provide stimulation and challenge your dog’s intelligence. There are many different types of puzzle toys available, so find one that your dog will enjoy.

Some popular options include:

• Treat puzzles: These puzzle games require your dog to figure out how to get to their treats by manipulating the toy in various ways. This can be a great way to feed them their meals, as it challenges them and slows down their eating.
• IQ balls: These balls have small openings on all sides. Your dog has to roll the ball around until they find the opening that will allow them to get to the treats inside. This is a great way to tire out your pup and help improve their problem-solving skills.
• Fetch games: Hide a few treats or their favorite toys around the house and let your dog go crazy trying to find the treats! This is a classic game that dogs enjoy, providing plenty of stimulation and exercise to tire them out simultaneously.
• Hide their food around the house or yard: This is a great way to help them use their nose and search for something they really want. It’s also a good way to slow down dogs who eat too fast. Try hiding their food in different places daily to keep them from getting bored.
• Play hide and seek: This is a classic game that dogs love. Have your dog stay in one room while you hide. Once you’re hidden, call their name and see how long it takes them to find you. This is a great way to stimulate their mind and body at the same time.

Dogs require cerebral stimulation in addition to physical activities. There are many different puzzle toys available so that you can find one perfect for your dog’s skill level. Start with an easy one and work your way up as they get better at it.

Soap bubble.

Dogs love playing with soap bubbles, which is a great way to keep them entertained. Just blow some bubbles in their direction and watch them go crazy.

They’ll chase the bubbles all over the place, trying to catch them before they pop. It’s a fun game for both you and your dog, and it’s a great way to bond with your furry friend, and before you know it, you’ll be laughing along with them.

So next time you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your dog, give soap bubbles a try. You won’t be disappointed.

Teach them a new trick.

Dogs are among the most trainable pets available. You can teach your dog a variety of tricks with a little patience and creative thought. You may start with something easy, such as training your dog to sit or stay.

Once your dog understands these fundamental commands, you may progress to more difficult tricks such as rollover or play dead. You may even teach your dog to do tricks on command, such as barking when the doorbell rings.

There are several methods to engage your dog, so figure out what works best for them. Dogs require both physical and mental activity to be happy and healthy, so make sure you provide both. With a little imagination, you can keep your dog busy all day.

By training your dog in new skills, you will not only provide him with cognitive stimulation, but you will also improve your relationship with him. Why not give it a shot? You might be shocked at how much your dog can understand.

Is it ever too late to start training a dog?

Dog training should ideally begin the day you bring your new puppy home. It is easy to demonstrate excellent conduct and talents to him right away. The less time a dog spends practicing undesirable behaviors like leash tugging, jumping up on people, or running away on walks, the less time you have to spend un-training and re-training the habit.

But what if the time has gone, and you now have an adult dog? Can an older dog be taught new tricks?

The answer is a resounding YES! Getting your older dog to learn something new might take a bit longer, but it is still possible.

Start with baby steps and keep your training sessions short and sweet. Be sure to use lots of positive reinforcement such as treats, praise, petting, and play. With a little patience and consistency, you can successfully train your older dog too.

So there you have it! Whether you have a new puppy or an older dog, you can teach them new tricks. Just be patient, use positive reinforcement and have fun with it!

Create an indoor obstacle course.

This is a great way to use up some extra space in your home and tire out your dog at the same time. Set up a series of obstacles for your dog to navigate, such as tunnels, hoops, balance beams, and more.

You can even get creative and use household items like chairs, blankets, and pillows. Just be sure to supervise your dog while they’re playing to avoid any accidents.

This is a great way to provide mental and physical stimulation for your dog. They’ll have to use their problem-solving skills to figure out how to get through the course, and they’ll get a good workout simultaneously. So why not give it a try?

MAKING AN AGILITY COURSE FOR MY DOG WITH HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Play tug of war.

Who doesn’t love a good game of tug of war? It’s a great way to get your dog some exercise, and it’s also a lot of fun. If you’re considering playing tug of war with your dog, you should keep a few things in mind.

First, make sure that everyone involved wants to play. Dogs who are feeling aggressive may not be the best candidates for tug of war.

Second, be prepared to lose. Tug of war is all about having fun, so don’t get too competitive.

At the end of the day, everyone involved will be happy and tired – and that’s the best outcome.

Teach your dog the name of their toys.

Have you ever had trouble getting your dog to fetch the specific toy you want them to? You can solve this problem by teaching your dog the names of their toys.

Start by selecting one dog toy and showing it to your dog while clearly saying the toy’s name. Then, put the toy away and repeat the process with another toy. As you do this, your dog will begin to associate the sound of the word with the object.

Once your dog knows the names of their toys, you’ll be able to say “fetch the ball” or “fetch the bone,” and they’ll know exactly what you want them to do. Not only is this a fun way to bond with your dog, but it can also be helpful when trying to get them to play with a specific dog toy.

Conclusion.

So, there you have it, the 10 best ways to keep your dog entertained while you’re stuck at home.

Of course, this is just a starting point, and you should use your imagination to devise other activities that will work well for you. Have fun!

Do you have any other tips to share? Let us know in the comments below!