Indoor Games for Dogs – The Best Ideas to Beat Boredom and Burn Off Excess Energy

Is the weather bad, or do you simply not have time for a longer walk, and are you wondering which indoor games can help your dog beat boredom and burn off excess energy? Mental activities, especially those that engage your dog's sense of smell, are your best bet. Just 15 minutes of obedience training, scent games or a homemade obstacle course can tire your dog out just as effectively as outdoor activities. If, on the other hand, your pet has too much energy and needs to calm down rather than become even more stimulated, try a lick mat, a chew or exercises that teach them to wait calmly.

Table of contents

1. How to tire your dog out in 15 minutes: stimulating indoor games

2. Calming games for dogs – what to do when your pet has too much energy

3. How to encourage your dog to play

4. Indoor games for dogs – summary

How to tire your dog out in 15 minutes: stimulating indoor games

If you want to tire your four-legged friend out in just 15 minutes, try mental games for dogs – these activities can wear your pet out much faster than walking or running. Below are some of the most effective methods.

• Obedience training or learning new tricks

A short, intensive training session is one of the most mentally engaging activities you can offer your pet at home. You don't have to teach them anything complicated – simply practise familiar commands and add something new, such as asking your dog to give you a paw with their eyes closed or to stay in place for longer than usual.

Remember to reward positive behaviour with treats. Brit Training Snack treats, available in options suited to your pet's size, are perfect for this purpose.

• The “which hand?” game

Hide a tasty treat in one hand, close both fists and let your dog guess where the reward is hidden (for example, by nudging your hand with their nose or paw). This simple game requires your dog to concentrate and use their sense of smell to make a decision.

• Indoor fetch

You don't need a huge garden to play fetch – a long hallway or spacious room will do just fine. Throw a toy a short distance and ask your dog to bring it back, gradually increasing the distance. This is a great combination of physical and mental exercise (with commands such as “fetch” and “give”), helping your dog work twice as hard.

• A homemade obstacle course

Chairs to crawl under, a rolled-up blanket as a low hurdle to jump over, bottles arranged in a slalom – that's all you need to create an obstacle course in your living room. This activity engages both your pet's body and mind, as your dog has to remember the order of the obstacles and concentrate on coordinating their movements.

• Interactive toys

Treat dispensers and dog puzzles encourage your pet to “work” for their food rather than simply eating it from a bowl. Your dog has to slide, turn or lift the right element to get a reward – an activity that requires patience and logical thinking.

Calming games for dogs – what to do when your pet has too much energy

When your pet has too much energy, you can try indoor activities such as:

• A lick mat spread with paste, plain yoghurt or wet dog food – the repetitive licking motion naturally helps your pet relax.

• A snuffle mat – if you don't have a special snuffle mat at home, simply hide treats in different places around the room (under cushions, behind furniture legs or inside a rolled-up blanket) and let your dog find them at their own pace.

• A Kong-style toy – licking out the contents can keep your dog occupied for several dozen minutes and is a great way to help them relax.

• Dog chews – prolonged, relaxed chewing naturally reduces arousal and helps release tension. You could try Brit Premium Dog Collagen Chews Tubes Filled with Turkey, for example.

• Gentle massage or brushing – slow, rhythmic movements with a brush or your hands through your dog's coat can have a soothing effect.

• Exercises that teach calm waiting – the “stay on your mat” command teaches your dog to lie down calmly in exchange for a reward. Over time, this can become a signal that it's time to relax.

These types of calming activities are particularly useful in the evening or for dogs that become easily overstimulated.

How to encourage your dog to play

If your dog doesn't want to play, try bringing a toy to life to trigger their hunting instinct. Move it along the floor as if it were escaping prey, pull it along on a string or toss it gently into the air. However, don't let your dog catch it straight away – chasing will make the game more engaging. Once they finally catch it, praise them enthusiastically or reward them with a tasty dog treat.

You can also put some of your dog's toys away for a few days. When you bring them back, they will seem almost brand new. Changing the toy or type of activity (for example, switching from an interactive game to a scent game) is another good idea. Remember that your enthusiasm matters too – your dog will be more eager to join in when they can see that you're enjoying the game as well.

Indoor games for dogs – summary

You can easily tackle boredom and excess energy without even leaving the house – all you need to do is choose an activity that suits your dog's current needs. We've summarised the most important tips on how to play with your dog at home below:

• Indoor games engage your dog's mind and can tire them out faster than walking or running.

• How can you tire your dog out at home without going for a walk? Try stimulating indoor games such as obedience training, a snuffle mat, the “which hand?” game or a homemade obstacle course.

• Calming activities for dogs (a lick mat, Kong toy, chew or exercises that teach calm waiting) are ideal when your pet has excess energy but needs to settle down rather than become even more stimulated.

• How can you encourage your dog to play? Imitate the movements of prey to catch their attention, put their toys away for a few days or introduce a new type of activity.