Dark by 5pm, too cold for another walk, and a dog who's just getting started? Here are 12 easy indoor games that burn energy without wrecking the living room. Mix two or three together for a 15-minute session.
1. Find it
Let your dog watch you hide a treat under a cup or behind a chair leg, then say "find it." Once they get the idea, hide it in another room. Sniffing is surprisingly tiring.
2. The muffin tin puzzle
Drop treats into a muffin tin and cover some cups with tennis balls. Your dog has to move the balls to get the treats.
3. Hide and seek
Ask your dog to stay (or have someone hold them), hide somewhere in the house, then call them. Make a big deal when they find you.
4. Stair fetch
If your dog is healthy and has the joints for it, toss a soft toy up the stairs a few times. Keep it short and skip it for puppies, seniors and long-backed breeds.
5. Chase sessions
Self-moving toys like our Chase Ball give your dog something unpredictable to chase while you sit. Supervise play and put it away after the session.
6. Tug with rules
Tug is great exercise. Ask for a "drop it" every so often, then start again. It builds impulse control too.
7. The shell game
Put a treat under one of three cups, shuffle slowly, and let your dog pick. Easy to make harder as they improve.
8. Towel burrito
Roll a few treats up inside an old towel and let your dog unroll it.
9. Five-minute trick training
Teach something new: spin, paw, touch, or "go to your bed." Short training sessions work their brain hard.
10. Which hand?
Hide a treat in one closed fist and let your dog nose the right one.
11. Living room obstacle course
Couch cushions to step over, a chair to go around, a blanket tunnel to walk through. Lure them through with a treat.
12. Name your toys
Pick one toy, name it, and ask your dog to "get" it from a small pile. Add more names over time.
Safety first: clear the space of breakables, keep sessions short, offer water, and stop if your dog seems sore or overexcited. If your dog has health or joint issues, check with your vet before adding new activities.
A tired dog is a good dog. Have fun!