Rainy weather doesn’t just mess with your plans. It can seriously cramp your dog’s routine too. For pups who thrive on daily walks, outdoor play, and sniffing every tree in the neighbourhood, being stuck inside can lead to frustration fast.

But just because you’re staying dry doesn’t mean your dog has to be bored. With a few simple ideas, you can turn indoor time into something engaging, calming, and even a little fun for both of you.

These rainy day dog activities are trainer-approved, space-friendly, and great for burning off steam without sprinting laps in your living room.

Dogs explore the world through smell, so scent-based games are a natural fit for rainy day dog activities and enrichment. Bonus: they’re calming and low-impact.

Sniff and scatter
This is one of the easiest ways to feed a meal or offer a treat. Just toss a handful of kibble or small treats onto a rug, towel, or safe floor surface and let your dog forage. You can also use a cue like “find it” to turn it into a game.

Hide and seek
Place a few treats or a favourite toy in another room or under furniture, then encourage your dog to go find it. Start with easy spots and increase the challenge over time. You can even hide yourself if your dog knows how to find people.

The cup game
Line up three cups or bowls. Hide a treat under one, shuffle them around, and see if your dog can guess where it is. This simple brain game builds problem-solving skills and focus. If your dog gets the hang of it quickly, level up by adding more cups or speeding up the shuffle.

When it’s gross outside, turn mealtime into one of your go-to rainy day dog activities. Puzzle feeders and food-based activities help slow things down while giving your dog something meaningful to do.

DIY puzzle boxes
Got recycling? Perfect. Grab a few cardboard boxes, crumple some paper, maybe nest one box inside another, and hide some treats inside. Let your dog rip, paw, and dig to get the goodies. It’s a great outlet for dogs who love to “deconstruct.”

Commercial puzzle toys
Classics like the Kong, West Paw Toppl, lick mats, and treat balls are all awesome tools for rainy days. Stuff them with wet food, mashed banana, plain Greek yogurt, or peanut butter (no xylitol!) and freeze them for extra staying power.

Long-lasting chews
Chewing is calming for most dogs. Offer a bully stick, yak chew, or filled bone that suits your dog’s size and chew style. Always supervise, and rotate options to keep it interesting. Bonus: chewing can help support dental health too.

Your dog doesn’t need to run laps to get some energy out. Structured play inside helps burn steam safely and keeps their brain engaged too. Low-impact rainy day dog activities like fetch or tug help your dog move their body without overdoing it indoors.

Indoor fetch with rules
Use a soft toy, ask your dog to sit and stay, toss the toy, then release them to go get it. This turns a game of fetch into a little training session, and keeps things structured and safe. Great for small spaces and brainy dogs.

Tug with structure
Tug is fun, fast, and a fantastic outlet for dogs of all sizes. Use a sturdy toy, teach cues like “take it” and “drop it,” and let your dog have satisfying wins throughout. Keep sessions short, and focus on keeping the game fun, fair, and cooperative.

Chase bubbles
Yes, dog-safe bubbles are a thing! They come in flavours like bacon and peanut butter, and most dogs love chasing them. It’s light, silly fun that works even in a tiny apartment.

Not all enrichment involves toys. Sometimes the best indoor activities are quiet, connected moments between you and your dog.

Social play
Get goofy. Use a silly voice, crawl around, dance, or play bow. Let your dog decide how they want to interact, and respect when they want a break. These kinds of playful interactions build trust and keep things light.

Cooperative care
Rainy days are perfect for teaching calm, helpful behaviours like chin rests, letting you touch their ears or paws, or inspecting teeth. Go slowly, use lots of treats, and keep sessions short. These skills are golden for vet visits and grooming.

101 things to do with a box
This shaping game is about letting your dog explore a box however they like. Sit in it, paw it, flip it over. Reward curiosity and creativity. It’s a fun way to build confidence and communication.

👉 Free guide: 101 Things to Do with a Box

Training is one of the best rainy day tools in your kit. It builds focus, connection, and confidence. Plus, most dogs love it when they figure something out.

Start with fun tricks like “spin,” “wave,” or “go to mat.” Or teach practical behaviours like “touch,” “drop it,” or “put toys away.” Keep it short and sweet. Just a few minutes here and there is enough to make a difference.

👉 Want help with tricks, calm behaviours, or indoor focus? Book a session and we’ll create a plan that works for your pup.

We’ve got plenty. If your pup is bouncing off the walls when the skies open up, let’s make a plan. From indoor enrichment ideas to custom training support, we’re here to help you weather any storm. Book a session or tag @trainwithbelleandbark on Instagram to show us how you play indoors.