When the weather outside is cold, dark and damp or we’re cooped up indoors for any reason, our dogs can feel the cabin fever just as much as we do.
I became a certified Canine Enrichment Specialist in 2023. And my favorite thing about this job is helping pet parents come up with easy and fun canine enrichment activities that fit their lifestyle.
Raising dogs for the past 20+ years, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to keep our dogs mentally stimulated. Especially when you can’t get outside due to the weather!
When your dog isn’t fulfilled, they often look for destructive outlets. They might chew up something, bark and whine or generally annoy you because they’re bored.
That doesn’t have to happen!
I’m excited to share with you fun, free and easy indoor enrichment activities you can do with your dog. I even include many enrichment ideas for dogs in kennels or crates. That’s something I’m often asked about and I have important safety tips about this.
I’m also certified in Pet First Aid, so I always make sure my enrichment ideas meet safety guidelines for your pup.
There are a ton of ways to provide fun and engaging activities for your dog indoors! From simple games to intricate puzzles and creative environmental enrichment, let’s get your dog’s tail wagging.
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Importance of Indoor Enrichment for Dogs
Let’s face it, we can’t all let our dogs roam free in the great outdoors.
No matter where you live – in the city, suburbs, or country – there will be days when your dog spends most of their time indoors. That doesn’t make you a bad dog parent, it’s just life!
But our dogs don’t get to go to work, text their friends or scroll social media like we do. So when they spend a lot of time indoors, it can be really boring for them.
Boredom can lead your dog to destructive and undesirable behaviors
My dog Lucy will bark her head off when she’s bored and frustrated. My other dog Burt will go counter surfing and steal food when he’s bored.
I’ve found that the best way to prevent those boredom problem behaviors is with healthy dog enrichment activities.
This is why indoor enrichment is essential for dogs year-round every day! It stimulates their minds, keeps them physically fit, and helps reduce the stress and anxiety that can come from a lack of stimulation.
Especially for dogs who are crated for a long stretch of time, finding creative ways to enrich their lives indoors isn’t just a nice idea, it’s a necessity!
Living in Pittsburgh, PA, the winters can be harsh! In January we might have several days in a row under 20 degrees Fahrenheit. I take my dogs for short walks, but that’s not nearly enough to keep them happy for the entire day!
When nasty weather hits (or when it’s too hot in the summer), I use a variety of indoor enrichment activities so my dogs can live their best lives every day.
Indoor Enrichment With Your Dog: My Fave Cognitive Puzzles
Dog puzzle toys are like Sudoku for your pup, providing a brain workout that’s both fun and rewarding. These puzzles not only stimulate your dog’s mind but are also a fantastic way for you and your dog to bond.
One brand I highly recommend is Outward Hound by Nina Ottosson.
Some of their standout puzzles from Nina Ottosson include:
When it comes to the most highly rated dog puzzles available on Amazon, there are a few that stand out. These puzzles have received glowing reviews from pet parents for their durability, ability to engage dogs of different sizes, and the mental stimulation they provide.
I’ve been using the Hide N Slide for years and it’s held up to my dog’s aggressive puzzle solving!
Check out more engaging dog puzzles:
Another great option for a food-dispensing puzzle is one where your dog has to flip over these bottles on a bar to spill out the food.
If you’re feeling crafty, my friend Melissa at Proud Dog Mom has a tutorial for a DIY version of a water bottle dog puzzle. It’s a cheap and easy way to get your dog’s mind working and keep them entertained.
It’s important to rotate and switch up the puzzles regularly. In my bite-sized dog enrichment online course, I offer creative ways to switch up these puzzles so they remain a fresh and exciting challenge for your dog. And at just $19, this mini-course is a more affordable option than constantly buying new puzzles!
Busy Box for Dogs: The Ultimate Entertainment
Now, let me introduce my all-time favorite indoor dog enrichment activity – the DIY busy box dog toy. And it’s FREE!
This is one of my dogs’ favorite activities too because it’s different all the time. They get to rip boxes apart with their teeth and paws, they can get inside really big boxes and they get to find tasty treats or food the whole time.
To create a DIY busy box, check out the full tutorial on my blog. The idea is to collect stuff you already have like:
- Cardboard boxes
- Egg cartons
- Yogurt containers
- Plastic bins
- Packing paper (no packing bubble wrap though!)
- Any left over containers that don’t have small pieces
Gather these supplies and layer them with some of your dog’s food or tasty dry treats.
When you give this layered box and container puzzle creation to your dog, watch them dig! I promise it will make you laugh out loud to watch them figure this out!
Solving the box puzzle provides your dog with mental and physical enrichment. My senior Labradors really get into it and get a lot of physical enrichment from the busy box.
The best part is the joy and amusement you’ll experience watching them. Indoor enrichment activities with your dogs not only benefits them but also offers YOU stress-reducing benefits.
It’s wonderful to watch our dogs live their best lives and have fun, and with these activities, you don’t always need to venture outside – a perfect solution for those cold and dreary winter days!
Food Enrichment: Beyond the Bowl
Food enrichment goes beyond regular feeding routines, offering novel and engaging ways to make mealtime more enriching for your dog.
I really love food enrichment ideas because our dogs eat every day, multiple times a day. So it’s easy and practical to add this type of enrichment to your daily routine.
Snuffle Mat: Activate Scavenging Mode
A snuffle mat is a simple enrichment tool that encourages your dog’s natural sniffing and foraging skills. For those who enjoy DIY projects, I have a guide to create your own snuffle mat for around $10.
If you prefer to buy or are considering gifting one, I put together a list of the Top 10 Snuffle Mats for large dogs. Since I’ve had labradors for the past 20_ years, I picked out snuffle mats that are big enough for my dogs to enjoy an entire meal from them.
My buying advice: Get for a snuffle mat that suits your dog’s size 🙂
Slow Feeders and Platters
Another innovative approach to food enrichment is using a platter, like the Mine Pet Platter. Eating off a flat surface can be beneficial for dogs because it’s more natural for them than a bowl.
The patented design of this feeding platter promotes instinctive, healthier eating behaviors for your dog. It encouraged them to lick, forage, and use other natural feeding behaviors. The platter’s indentations, crevices, and curves make the eating process both mentally stimulating and entertaining.
Slow feeder bowls are also worth mentioning. I have a couple that we use every week.
These bowls are designed with ridges and mazes that encourage dogs to eat more slowly. This is good for their digestion and prevents issues like bloating. It’s a simple yet effective way to turn mealtime into a fun and enriching activity!
Again, here, the key is variety! If you use the same slow feeder bowl every day, it will still slow down your dog, but it won’t be very enriching. Get a few bowl alternatives, and then you have an enrichment toolbox you can rotate!
Stuffable Food Toys
And of course, there’s the option of stuffing your dog’s meal into a treat toy like the West Paw Toppl. For larger dogs, I recommend the XL size, which can hold approximately 2 cups of food, perfect for a full meal for larger breed dogs.
A stuffable food toy is an excellent way to keep your dog entertained while they eat and can be particularly useful for dogs that eat their food too quickly. Like my labradors!
These food enrichment methods are not just about feeding your dog their food. They transform mealtime into an interactive and stimulating experience that benefits your dog’s mental and physical health.
Indoor Games for Bonding and Exercise
Playing indoor games is not just about exercise; it’s a bonding experience that strengthens the connection between you and your furry friend.
In my bite-sized online course, I explain 10 mental enrichment activities for dogs, all of which can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors when the weather permits.
Some of my favorites are Hide n’ Seek and the Shell Game. Here’s how to play them! If you want to see videos and get more advice, grab my enrichment online course. It’s just $19!
Play Indoors Hide and Seek with Your Furry Friend
Hide & Seek is an excellent game for both indoor and outdoor play. If you’re new to this game with your dog, I recommend starting inside where there are fewer distractions. And don’t forget to use really tasty treats as a reward when they find you!
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE to Hide and Seek
- Ask Your Dog to Stay: Begin by asking your dog to “stay”. Having a good “place” comes in handy here. (Pssst.. that’s one of the lessons in my online course!)
- Hide: Go and hide. For the first round, choose a spot that’s easy for your dog to find.
- Use Consistent Cues: Use a cue like “come” or “search” to signal your dog to start looking for you.
- Reward the Find: When your dog finds you, reward them with a treat and lots of praise.
- Repeat and Enjoy: Keep playing, making sure your dog continues to find the game fun and rewarding.
Play The Shell Game with Your Pup
Here’s another great cognitive game to play with your dog! The Shell Game is a fun way to engage your dog’s problem-solving skills. You can use any small plastic bowls, red cups, cones, etc. Avoid using glass containers to prevent any risk of breakage near your dogs.
If your dog finds this game challenging, simplify it by not moving the shells or using more aromatic treats.
Remember, patience is key, and the goal is to make the game enjoyable, not frustrating.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE to The Shell Game
- Preparation: Get three shells (bowls or cups) and treats.
- Show the Treat: Let your dog see you placing the treat under one of the shells.
- Shuffle Shells: Mix up the shells, then encourage your dog to search for the treat.
- Reward Success: When your dog selects the right shell, give them the treat as a reward.
- Repeat and Enjoy: Keep practicing this game for fun and to enhance your dog’s memory and problem-solving
These indoor games are not just fun but also a great way to deepen your bond with your pet while providing mental stimulation and exercise.
Enrichment for Dogs in Kennels
Starting off with a question I often get asked from people enrolled in my Mental Enrichment Activity Pack: “What kind of enrichment can I do for my dog when they’re crated?”
Even dogs in kennels and crates can experience the joys and benefits of enrichment. You just have to think outside the box and give them passive enrichment. Here’s a few fun ideas that are safe and make your dog’s day more interesting.
Musical Enrichment
Incorporating music into a dog’s day can have a calming effect, especially when they’re limited to a small space like their crate. Relaxing, classical music can help your anxious dog feel calmer. It might even help lull an energetic puppy to sleep.
I leave classical music on for my dogs a few times a week. I try to mix it up and try different playlists. Nobody wants to listen to a loop of the same songs over and over – not even your dog!
Here’s a calm dog playlist that I like on YouTube. I often leave this on for my dogs Burt and Lucy when I go out for a few hours.
I also love to play calming music for my dogs when we’re staying in a hotel. The music calms them down in an unfamiliar environment, and it also helps to drown out any noise coming from the hallway!
DogTV Enrichment
Another creative enrichment option is DogTV. This television programming, designed specifically for dogs features calming visuals and sounds. It’s perfect for keeping them engaged and relaxed.
DogTV provides mental stimulation and a sense of companionship. It may even reduce feelings of loneliness and boredom for your dog.
The programs on DogTV are designed to play at a frame rate that your dog can see. According to studies, dogs aren’t able to see all normal TV shows.
Avoid Treat Toys in Your Dog’s Crate: What I recommend instead
I’m not a huge fan of leaving toys in crates with dogs because they can become a choking hazard.
I’m speaking from experience – believe me when I say, you do not want to come home to a dog who has choked on something. I’m an enrichment expert and also certified in Pet First Aid and CPR, so safety is number 1 when it comes to enrichment!
If you really want to give your dog something to eat in the crate, I recommend hollowing out the core of a small apple or cleaning out a small bell pepper and filling that with the same filling you would put in a Kong or Toppl.
That way, the entire thing is edible!
Environmental Enrichment for Crated Dogs
Another creative idea for dogs who are often left in their crate when home alone is based on environmental enrichment. This means changing up the environment that your dog spends a lot of time in.
You can introduce environmental enrichment by:
- Changing your dog’s view from their crate
- Add a mirror, artwork, a TV or a prism to reflect light to give them something to look at
- You can move their crate to a different spot or a different room
- Or rotate the crate if your space is limited
Health Benefits of Indoor Activities
Regular indoor activities are incredibly important for our dogs, especially when getting outside often isn’t an option.
Engaging in enrichment activities can keep your dog mentally engaged, sharpening their minds throughout their lives and potentially reduce the onset of canine dementia.
My labradors, Burt and Lucy, have made it to an active 13 years old thanks to their helthy lifestyle that include a variety of enrichment.
Many of these activities can also help your dog maintain a healthy weight during the winter. When they engage in activities like playing hide and seek indoors, it’s great exercise. I have Burt and Lucy come find me upstairs for an extra workout!
Some of the slow feeder ideas can also encourage your dog to eat slower and feel more satisfied after a meal.
We shouldn’t overlook the emotional benefits of incorporating indoor activities into your and your dog’s daily routine either!
Watching your dog engage in these indoor enrichment activities and playing alongside them can boost your mood and contribute to a more positive outlook. They also strengthen the bond you share with your dog, fostering a deeper connection between you both.
Balancing Safety and Fun
While indoor games and activities are incredibly fun and enriching for dogs, it’s so importnat to balance this fun with safety.
As pet parents, our top priority is always the well-being of our furry companions. As a certified canine enrichment expert (DN-CET) and a pet blogger certified in pet first aid and CPR, I’m always thinking safety first!
Enrichment is only good for your dog if it’s safe, so please consider:
- Safe play spaces: remove any small objects that could be swallowed, secure any sharp edges, and make sure the space is large enough for your dog to move around without bumping into furniture.
- Appropriate toys and games: consider your dog’s size, age, and chewing habits. Toys should be durable and appropriate for your dog’s breed and strength.
- Supervise play: Always supervise your dog during interactive play, especially when introducing new toys or games.
- Be mindful of your dog’s limits: Pay attention to your dog’s body language and energy levels. It’s important to recognize when they are tired or overwhelmed and need a break. Overstimulation can be just as bad for their behavior as boredom. Finding a balance is key!
How to Incorporate Indoor Enrichment Into Daily Life
Incorporating enrichment into your dog’s daily routine is essential. While all the ideas I’ve shared are great, they won’t benefit your furry friend unless you actually do them on a regular basis!
I recommend starting with food-based enrichment. Since you probably already have a routine for feeding your dog, this is an easy one to adjust.
Have you read “Atomic Habits”? One of the key concepts in that book is habit stacking.
Essentially, you identify a habit you already have – like feeding your dog dinner – and then stack on a new habit – like feeding that dinner in an enriching way!
Other ways you can habit stack to build enrichment into your daily routine include:
- Before you sit down to watch TV at night, play a quick game of hide and seek with your dog.
- While you’re making breakfast or coffee in the morning, set up your dog’s DogTV or music playlist for the day.
- As you’re getting ready to take out the trash on garbage night, create a Busy Box for your dog and feed them dinner in it (then your recycling will be ready to go out!).
Establishing a consistent routine is key to making enrichment a regular and beneficial part of your dog’s life.
Indoor enrichment is a big part of your dog’s life, especially when outdoor activities are limited because of the weather.
As pet parents and petpreneurs, we have a responsibility to make sure our canine companions are as happy indoors as they are outside. With a little creativity and lots of love, you can find the right indoor enrichment activities for your pup!
Did you enjoy this post? Here’s more canine enrichment content:
Brain Games for Dogs
Do you know the 7 categories of enrichment for dogs?
9 Best All Natural Dog Chews for Aggressive Chewers
What is Barn Hunt? A Scent Work Sport for Dogs!
Mental Enrichment for Dogs Activity Pack: The $19 online course
Frequently Asked Questions about Indoor Enrichment for Dogs
Q: Can indoor activities fully replace outdoor exercise for dogs?
A: While indoor activities are excellent for mental stimulation, they should complement rather than replace outdoor exercise, which is crucial for a dog’s physical and mental well-being. Imagine what it would be like to be stuck inside every single day for months, you would start to lose your mind. Make sure that your dog still gets out to see the outside world.
Q: How often should I introduce new enrichment activities to my dog?
2: Regularly introducing new enrichment activities can help keep your dog mentally stimulated and prevent boredom. A good rule of thumb is to add new activities once a month. Remember, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel! A “new” activity might mean putting your dog’s puzzle inside of a box or serving them dinner inside a bell pepper instead of a Toppl. Keep it simple so you can stay consistent.
Q: Are there any risks involved with DIY dog toys?
A: DIY dog toys can be safe if you’re smart about it. Ensure there are no small parts that can be swallowed or cause a choking hazard and that all materials used are non-toxic and safe for dogs. I don’t recommend using tape because your dog might chew that off and swallow it. Also, make sure that any supplies you use are clean. Always supervise your dog’s play.
Q: How can I tell if an enrichment activity is too difficult for my dog?
A: If your dog shows signs of frustration or disinterest, the activity might be too complex. Try simplifying it or helping them out until they get the hang of it. Remember, our dogs usually don’t know what we’re asking of them, so give them a chance. A common problem is trying to do something new in a distracting environment. Since all of these are indoor enrichment activities, you should be able to do them the first several times in a space where your dog is already very comfortable and familiar.
Q: Is there such a thing as too much indoor enrichment for dogs?
A: Yes! Balance is key. Too much stimulation can be just as harmful as too little. Your dog can be overestimated. Keep in mind that they need a lot of rest each day – up to 18 hours! Monitor your dog’s behavior and provide downtime when needed.
Have you ever tried incorporating sensory experiences like scent games or tactile objects into your dog’s indoor enrichment routine? How did your furry friend respond and what were the results?
Yes, we love scent games! Sometimes there can be a learning curve on the human and dog side until everyone understands what the point of the game is and how to play it. So start small and easy until you see it click for your pup, and build from there to keep it fresh and new. Scent games are great cognitive enrichment so they can keep your pup mentally sharp longer in life. They’re great for dogs of all ages and can even be played with seniors who don’t have as much mobility as they once did.
I loved this post! The ideas for indoor enrichment are exactly what I needed for my energetic pup this winter. I can’t wait to try the DIY puzzle toys and the scent games. Thanks for sharing such practical suggestions!
I’m so happy the post was helpful for you and your pup! Scent games are great year round.