While some dogs don’t mind a wet walk, others (and their humans) would rather stay dry. That’s where indoor dog activities come in. With a little creativity, you can keep your pup happy, relaxed, and mentally stimulated even when the weather’s not on your side.

But being stuck indoors doesn’t mean your dog has to be bored out of their mind. Dogs need both physical movement and mental stimulation, and when they don’t get enough of either, that pent-up energy can show up as barking, chewing, pacing, or general chaos.

That’s where rainy day activities come in. They give your dog something meaningful to do, even if you’re both staying in. Some of these ideas fall under what trainers call enrichment, which means giving your dog a chance to use natural behaviours like sniffing, chewing, or problem-solving. Others are just good fun.

Best of all? Most of these indoor dog activities don’t require much space, and several are low-impact, so they’re great if you or your dog have mobility limitations.

1. Nose and scent games

If your dog has a nose (spoiler: they do), you can put it to work! Scent-based activities are super satisfying for dogs and help burn mental energy in a calm, focused way.

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.

2. Puzzle toys and food-based activities

Food toys keep your dog busy, challenge their brain, and make mealtime last longer.

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.

3. Low-impact indoor dog activities for movement and fun

Even indoors, you can give your dog a satisfying outlet for movement that doesn’t involve sprinting through the hallway at full speed (unless you’re into that).

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.

4. Relationship and cooperative games

Sometimes the best enrichment isn’t from a toy. It’s from you.

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

5. Trick training and mini learning sessions

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.

Wrap-up

Rainy days don’t have to mean bored dogs and torn-up socks. With a little creativity, you can turn indoor time into something fun, rewarding, and even educational for your pup.

Try a few of these ideas the next time the weather’s dreary. And if your dog comes up with their own game? Even better. Tag @trainwithbelleandbark on Instagram and show us how you play inside!