Tips and Tricks on How to Exercise with Your Pet Indoors

Staying active is essential for dogs, but bad weather or limited space can make outdoor exercise challenging. As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to find alternative ways to ensure your dog remains physically and mentally engaged. Indoor exercise offers a great solution, helping your dog burn energy, stay fit, and have fun—even in small living spaces.

This article provides practical indoor exercise ideas to keep your dog happy and healthy, especially when outdoor play isn’t possible.

Why is Exercise Important for a Dog?

Exercise is vital for a dog’s physical and mental health. Just like humans, dogs need regular physical activity to stay fit, reduce the risk of obesity, and prevent joint issues. Physical activity also supports heart health, muscle strength, and overall longevity.

However, exercise isn’t just about physical health. Dogs are intelligent and need mental stimulation to prevent boredom, anxiety, and destructive behaviour. Regular activity helps alleviate stress, keep their minds sharp, and maintain good behaviour, especially in high-energy breeds.

Indoor games and activities can be lifesavers when taking your dog outside isn’t an option. They can help maintain a healthy routine, provide necessary exercise, and strengthen the bond between you and your pet. Playing games inside your home also engages your dog’s mind, making them feel fulfilled even in confined spaces.

Dogs can get bored quickly, especially if they don’t get enough exercise. Boredom can lead to negative behaviours, like chewing furniture, excessive barking, and hyperactivity. Indoor exercise offers an effective way to keep your dog entertained, helping you manage their behaviour and keep them happy.

How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need Every Day?

The amount of exercise a dog needs varies based on breed, size, and age. High-energy breeds, like Border Collies or Jack Russell Terriers, need significantly more exercise than smaller, less active breeds like Shih Tzus or Bulldogs. Puppies and young dogs also tend to require more activity compared to older dogs.

• Small to medium dogs: 30-60 minutes of daily exercise is typically sufficient. Indoor games and short training sessions can be broken up throughout the day.
• Large breeds: 60-90 minutes is ideal, particularly for breeds that are naturally active. Activities like tug of war, hide and seek, or even running up and down stairs can help release their energy.

While outdoor walks are important, indoor exercise can complement this routine and keep your dog in shape. Break exercise into manageable chunks throughout the day, particularly for high-energy dogs.

Top 15 Indoor Games for Dogs

Exercising your dog indoors is a great way to keep them active, especially when outdoor play isn’t possible. Whether you live in an apartment or face unpredictable weather, indoor games provide mental stimulation and physical activity, ensuring your dog stays fit and entertained. From using an indoor training lead to interactive puzzles, there are plenty of options to suit your dog’s needs.

1. Tug of War

This classic dog exercise is not only a fantastic way to burn energy but also strengthens your dog’s muscles. Using an indoor training lead helps manage their excitement and improve impulse control. It’s a wonderful bonding activity that combines physical and mental engagement, ensuring your indoor dog gets the workout it needs.

2. Hide and Seek

A great way to stimulate your dog’s natural instincts, hide and seek adds a mental challenge to indoor play. Hide somewhere in the house and call your dog. When they find you, reward them with a treat or a toy. This simple yet effective indoor game for dogs keeps them engaged and sharp. Perfect for dogs who thrive on mental stimulation and love a challenge.

3. Fetch (with soft toys)

Even if you lack outdoor space, fetch is a great option for indoor exercise. Use soft toys in hallways or living rooms to avoid damage while keeping your dog active. It’s one of the best indoor games for dogs that works for small spaces and keeps your dog physically fit, even if you live in an apartment.

4. Puzzle Toys

Puzzle toys and feeders are fantastic for mental stimulation. They make your dog work for their food or treats, engaging their brains while also giving them something to do when confined indoors. This is especially helpful for indoor dogs who need to stay mentally active to avoid boredom and destructive behaviour.

5. Obstacle Courses

Transform your home into a mini agility course! Use chairs, cushions, and household items to create tunnels, jumps, and obstacles. This indoor game is perfect for providing both mental and physical stimulation. If your dog needs a bit of guidance, you can use an indoor training lead to show them the course. It’s a fun way to help them stay fit while indoors.

6. Interactive Toys

Electronic interactive toys are a great addition to your dog’s indoor games. These toys move around and mimic prey, engaging your dog’s natural hunting instincts. Ideal for high-energy dogs, these toys provide hours of entertainment, keeping them physically and mentally stimulated even when you can’t participate in the play.

7. Treat Scavenger Hunt

Tap into your dog’s sense of smell with a treat scavenger hunt. Hide treats in various places around your house and let them sniff out the rewards. This game is ideal for indoor dogs as it taps into their natural instincts and provides a fun, rewarding experience while getting them moving.

8. Indoor Ball Fetch Games

If you have a bit more space, consider an indoor ball launcher. This can make a standard game of fetch even more exciting for your dog, giving them the opportunity to run and chase in the comfort of your home. It’s a perfect way to keep high-energy dogs active, making it one of the more exciting indoor games for dogs.

9. Staircase Run

If you have stairs, you have the perfect indoor dog exercise tool. Running up and down stairs helps to build your dog’s strength and provides cardio exercise. For dogs with a lot of energy, a few rounds of stair running can be a great workout, especially if outdoor walks are limited by weather or time constraints.

10. Indoor Swimming

If you have a doggy paddling pool or access to a safe indoor pool, indoor swimming is an excellent low-impact exercise for your dog. Swimming helps build muscle strength and is gentle on their joints, making it ideal for dogs of all ages. Plus. it provides a fun and refreshing way for your dog to stay active, especially if they love water and adventure.

11. Play with Laser Toys

Laser toys can be a great way to engage your dog’s natural hunting instincts. Shine the laser around the room and let your dog chase it! This fast-paced activity keeps them physically active while providing mental stimulation. Just remember not to let them become too fixated and give them a proper toy to catch at the end to satisfy their hunting drive.

12. Scent Work Games

Similar to a scavenger hunt, scent work games involve hiding your dog’s favourite toys or treats around the house. Encourage them to use their nose to find the hidden treasures. This game stimulates their sense of smell and keeps them entertained while promoting exercise.

13. Obedience Drills

Turn indoor time into a chase to sharpen your dog’s obedience skills. Teach them commands like sit, stay, or fetch using treats as rewards. Training your dogs with obedience drills will help strengthen your bond and keep your dog’s mind active. You can add challenges, such as teaching them to respond to commands from different rooms or while in motion, to keep things interesting.

14. Magic Tricks

Get creative by teaching your dog some fun magic tricks! You can use cups or small containers to hide treats and have your dog guess which one has the reward. This game helps improve their focus and problem-solving skill, while keeping them entertained. It’s also a great way to impress friends and family with your dog’s new tricks.

15. Name That Toy

Teach your dog the names of their toys! Start with a few toys and give them a specific name. Then, ask your dog to fetch them by name. This is an excellent mental exercise that also helps strengthen your dog’s vocabulary and recall.

Each of these indoor games for dogs offers a different way to keep your pet engaged, fit, and mentally stimulated, even when outdoor play isn’t possible. Whether you’re working with limited space or unpredictable weather, these fun dog games at home can make sure your dog stays happy and healthy indoors.

Keep Your Pet Active at Hunters Lodge

Exercising your dog indoors doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little creativity and some interactive games, you can ensure your pet stays physically and mentally fit, no matter the weather or size of your home. From tug of war to puzzle toys, indoor games are a fantastic way to bond with your dog while keeping them happy and healthy.

At Hunters Lodge, we’re passionate about helping you provide the best care for your pets. Whether it’s a doggy daycare, a dog hotel or our cosy kennels, we offer a range of services to keep your pets active, safe and loved while you’re away.

At Hunters Lodge, we understand the importance of keeping your dog active and healthy, even when life gets busy. Whether you need help with regular exercise or require longer-term care, our dog kennels, dog daycare, and cattery services become an ideal option for your furry friends.

Our team ensures that your pet remains mentally and physically engaged, providing them with plenty of playtime and the necessary attention to stay happy and healthy. When you trust Hunters Lodge with your pet, you can rest assured they’ll get the care and activity they need.

Explore Our Gallery to see our spacious, well-maintained kennels and play areas, or Contact Us today to learn more about how we can help you keep your pets active, entertained, and loved.