Simple Ways to Keep Your Dog Busy Indoors

Are you tired of your dog chewing on your sofas, curtains, shoes, and various other items around the house? Here are some simple ways to keep your dog busy without having to go to the park or any other outdoor place.

Boredom is one of the most common reasons behind destructive behavior in pets. Dogs are energetic animals, so if you don’t know how to keep them entertained, they will come up with activities on their own – and this is where the trouble starts.

Play Treasure Hunt

Any activity that involves nose-work is guaranteed to be an all-time favorite amongst dogs which is why your pooch will love playing treasure hunt in the house. Searching for hidden items will help develop your pet’s mental and thinking abilities and also sharpen their natural skills. You can use store-bought dog treats or substitute them with other healthy food items such as chopped carrots.

Hide the treats in different places around the house and then encourage your pet to go find them all.

Play a Game of Tug of War

Playing tug of war with your dog is one of the simplest, yet most fun-filled ways to have indoor fun with your dog. It doesn’t require a lot of space or any fancy equipment and is a good way to exercise certain muscle groups such as your dog’s jaw and leg muscles.

You might have heard the traditionally held belief that playing a game of tug of war with pets can make them aggressive or encourage dominant behavior, however, this is not really true. In fact, studies have shown that dogs that play tug of war with their owners are better at interacting with others in a positive manner. Plus, it also gives you the opportunity to teach them how to follow certain commands such as letting go of something when ordered.

Teach Them to Help with Household Chores

Dogs don’t mind having something extra to do. Besides, who wouldn’t love getting some extra assistance with their household chores?

If your pet already knows when to bring you the car keys, then you can also teach them to fetch your slippers or, for instance, bring the wallet. Make them hold the pipe when you wash the car and train them to push the laundry basket or the trash can to the desired spot.

Make Meal Times More Fun

It’s a fair guess that like most pup parents, you probably feed your pet by serving them their meals in a nice food bowl, right? But, what’s the fun in that? Dogs are natural scavengers which mean that they won’t really complain if they have to work hard to get their food.

Make them perform certain tricks before they are rewarded with dinner or doggie snacks. Alternately, you can use a food dispensing toy like Kong. Fill it with peanut butter or whatever else your pooch likes before handing it over. This kills boredom, keeps them engaged for a long time, and makes something as simple as eating food more mentally stimulating.

If you want your dog to stop pulling you outside for playing fetch all the time, follow these tips to keep them busy indoors.