Winter cabin fever affects our furry friends. Here’s a collection of proven indoor activities that stimulate dogs mentally and physically!
Mental Stimulation Games
- The Muffin Tin Game
- Place treats under tennis balls in a muffin tin
- Watch your dog problem-solve!
- Treat Puzzles
- Start easy and increase difficulty
- Use kibble for calorie control
- Snuffle Mat Sessions (Snuffle Mats are usually made of fleece strips attached to a plastic base with holes in it)
- Great for natural foraging
- Can make DIY versions!
Fun fact: 10 minutes of mental stimulation can tire a dog as much as 30 minutes of physical exercise!
Physical Indoor Activities
- Indoor fetch with soft toys
- Tug-of-war sessions
- Hallway races
- Stair exercises (supervised!)
Enrichment Schedule Example
- Morning: Puzzle feeding
- Afternoon: Training session
- Evening: Gentle play
DIY Enrichment Ideas
- Cardboard Box Maze
- Empty Bottle Bowling
- Sock Sniffing Games
- Indoor Agility Course