If you’re struggling to take your dog for their regular walks or give them the physical activity they need, then you may be curious to learn about the best ways to exercise your dog indoors.
Fortunately, there are many creative ways to tire your dog out without having to leave the house. In this guide, we’re going to explore some of the best ways to exercise your dog indoors, so let’s get started.
#1 – Tug-Of-War Games
Playing a tug-of-war game is an excellent way to exercise your dog in the home or yard, and even if you’re somewhat limited on space, you won’t need too much room to tire your dog out with these games.
All you’ll need is a suitable tug-of-war toy, like a rope toy, or something specially designed for playing the game. Alternatively, you can use an old towel or t-shirt to play the game.
For stronger dogs, you may like to try this Tug-o-War toy from West Paw Design.
Last update on 2023-05-06 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
# 2 – Dog Treadmill
If you want to give your dog a walk indoors, then investing in a dog treadmill can be a fantastic idea. While these treadmills won’t replace all of the stimulation your dog will gain from a regular walk outside, they can still be a useful way to give an active dog some extra exercise.
One of the best dog treadmills on the market is the DogPacer.
# 3 – Interactive Food-Dispensing Toys
There’s no denying that food and treats are a proven way to entertain and motivate any dog, so having a few interactive toys that dispense treats will keep most dogs happily entertained for a long time.
What’s more, many of the best toys will give some extra mental stimulation which helps to keep your dog happy and ease the boredom they may feel from being cooped up indoors.
Here’s an interactive dog toy from StarMark that’s a great choice.
Last update on 2023-06-01 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
# 4 – Use The Stairs
If your dog is comfortable running up and down the stairs in your home, then you have a convenient way to give them some extra exercise whenever needed. You can simply throw a toy up or down the stairs, and let the stair workout tire your dog out quickly and efficiently.
However, you should only try this method if your dog is safe to run up and down your stairs (so no joint issues) and it’s best if your stairs are carpeted, too.
# 5 – Build An Indoor Obstacle Course
If you have enough room in your home, why not build your very own indoor obstacle course for your dog? This activity can be a lot of fun for the entire family, and you can easily design your own obstacle course using old pillows, blankets, chairs, and more.
Of course, you could also purchase a few key pieces online to ramp up the fun even more. Here’s a collection of indoor agility equipment from Outward Hound that you can use inside without any trouble.
Last update on 2023-05-05 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
# 6 – Play Fetch
For people who have bigger living rooms and long hallways, playing a game of fetch is another simple and fun way to tire your dog out.
It’s also a great way to get extra people involved, as you can pass the toy back and forth to each other to keep your dog constantly on the move. Here’s a versatile toy that’s ideal for playing fetch with your dog indoors:
Petmate Chuckit Fumble Fetch Toy# 7 – Bubble Chasing
It’s safe to say that most dogs love chasing bubbles, and it can be a good way to tire out a hyperactive dog while you’re staying inside, or perhaps in the backyard. Just make sure to use a dog-friendly bubble mixture that won’t hurt your dog’s eyes.
Here’s a bubble machine that can be used for pets.
Last update on 2023-06-02 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
# 8 – Play Hide & Seek
For inquisitive dogs who like to explore, playing an indoor game of hide and seek can be a lot of fun. All you’ll need to do is hide a few treats or toys around the home (behind furniture, in different rooms) and your dog will be free to hunt them out.
Here’s a cute plush toy that can be used to play games of hide and seek with your dog.
Last update on 2023-05-30 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
# 9 – Brush Up On Basic Obedience
When you can’t take your dog for their usual walking routine, you still have the perfect opportunity to brush up on some obedience training lessons without leaving the home.
Teaching your dog basics obedience commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’, ‘down’, and ‘come’ can be an enjoyable and rewarding activity, and once you’ve covered the basics, you can always try some more advanced lessons as well. These sessions can also help you to bond with your dog as well as provide lots of mental stimulation.
# 10 – Try The iFetch Ball Launcher
If your dog loves to play fetch more frequently than you like throwing the ball, then the iFetch ball launcher is for you. It can be used either indoors or outdoors, and it’s capable of throwing a ball either 10, 20, or 30 feet (depending on the setting you use).
Operating the device is very simple and straightforward – you just drop the ball in the hopper and wait for it to launch. You can even teach your dog to drop the ball in there by themselves so they can play until they get tired.
Last update on 2023-05-31 / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
# 11 – Try A Digging Toy
The activity of digging is a great way for a dog to burn off excess energy, and it’s possible for your dog to dig indoors, too. One of the best ways to give your dog an outlet for digging is with a toy like the iDig made by iFetch.
It works by letting you put treats inside the pocket flaps of the toy, and your dog can release them by digging. It can also be used to train your dog with the “find it” command. Overall, it’s a nice way to exercise your dog indoors as well as give them some additional mental stimulation.
