10 Ways to Exercise Your Dog at Home. Learn how in this article.
Bored dogs get into trouble. We’re their main source of entertainment, so if we don’t give them the stuff to do they’ll come up with activities of their own — and that’s when we end up with chewed-up shoes and curtains.
Going for a long walk or a trip to the park just isn’t possible. When you are sick, snowed in, or the temperature skyrockets, finding ways to exercise your dog indoors takes a bit of creativity.
Dogs need regular exercise just like us, and developing a daily exercise routine is key when it comes to keeping our dogs physically and mentally fit.
And although we’ve heard it before I think it’s fair to say it’s a problem many of us struggle with considering nearly 50% of dogs worldwide are overweight.
The good news is when it comes to our dogs there are plenty of quick ways to add more exercise to their daily routine.
And since many of these activities are interactive it means you’ll be burning off a few extra calories as well. The next time you find yourselves trapped inside, keep your pooch from going stir-crazy with one – or more – of these fun indoor activities.
Superhero game plan programe
If you are looking to learn how to train your dog or puppy using force-free training methods then I recommend this online video course. I purchased it last year and some of the tips I learned I still use today. Most of the training methods aren’t available on the internet.
Teach your dog
- Put toys away
- Sit – Stand
- Roll over
- Weave between your legs
- And lots more!
Each session is bite-sized with the focus on getting the student to take the action with information and demonstrations, find out more here.
1 Exercise your dog on the treadmill
Some dogs need more than just a leisurely stroll to stay happy, fit, and healthy.
Treadmills not only provide excellent cardio workouts, but also allow you to control the terrain, eliminate distractions, and curb boredom-induced behavior problems.
Best of all, they can be used no matter what Mother Nature is up to outside. You do not have to have a special doggy treadmill to take advantage of this indoor exercise opportunity. “Human” gym equipment will do just fine as long as your dog fits and is properly trained to use it.
Typically, a 45-pound dog will need a 55-inch treadmill belt. If you have a large or giant breed pooch, you can find specialized treadmills on the internet for discounted prices.
2 Playing tug of war to exercise your dog indoors
Minute for minute playing tug of war with your dog is one of the most physically & mentally challenging games you can play.
Playing tug with your dog is fun, easy, and a great way to give your dog plenty of physical and mental exercise. And since it’s a game that relies on manners it’s a great way to work on your dog’s impulse control i.e. the game stops if your teeth touch my hand.
The tug is a great exercise for dogs, but I would add in a word of caution when working with puppies — if your dog hasn’t mastered basic bite inhibition they will probably struggle to play by the rules.
If you want to save your hands from those sharp teeth remember to work on teaching your puppy not to bite before attempting a game of tug.
If you don’t have a tug toy you can make your own with some fleece or old t-shirts. Just remember to put up your tug toy when it’s not in use.
Many tug toys are made with rope or other materials that can pose a potential choking hazard for your dog.
3 Play with a flirt pole
Jalousie Dog Flirt Pole Set Squeaky Toys Plush Toys Dog Teaser Wand and Refills – Find it here.
Flirt poles are one of the quickest ways to exercise your dog. A flirt pole (also called a flirt stick) is a long pole with a lure attached by rope to the end.
As you hold onto the pole and move it around the lure follows along the ground, enticing your dog to chase. Using a flirt pole will provide your dog with a lot of physical exercises and mental stimulation.
A couple of minutes of using a flirt pole will be extremely tiring for your dog. Just remember to keep the sessions short when starting out to avoid injury since this is such a high-impact activity. When it comes to using a flirt pole you have a couple of options; you can make one of your own or you can buy one online above.
4 Play fetch
Everything YOU NEED to KNOW to TEACH your DOG a PERFECT FETCH!
It may be the most basic form of canine entertainment, but that doesn’t change the fact that dogs love to fetch!
Long hallways are great for tossing a favorite toy or ball, but you can also get creative. Playing fetch with your dog is a fun and interactive way to exercise your dog. And if you have a little extra room and a lightweight toy you can even play it indoors.
Hallways, stairways, and big living rooms are popular choices. Some dogs are naturals when it comes to fetching, but some will need a bit of practice.
5 Play hide-and-seek
Not only will Hide & Seek exercise your dog’s body and mind, but it will also help teach (or reinforce) his recall training.
When it comes to this indoor activity, the-more-the-merrier, so be sure to include the whole family. Have your dog sit and stay while all human participants hide around the house. When ready, holler for your dog to come to find you!
He will have a blast trotting through the house and hunting each of you down. Make sure everybody has a pocketful of healthy treats or give him lots of love and praise when they are discovered!
6 Spend time on training
Dog parents often list lack of time as a reason they fail to train their dogs. Take advantage of your day indoors to work on basic commands or add a few new skills to your pup’s bag of tricks. Training expends mental and physical energy, builds confidence, and strengthens the human-animal bond.
And, of course, you get the added benefit of a well-adjusted pup! If you are not sure where to begin, try going online to sites that offer professional classes, webinars or individualized coaching. Those with previous experience can also find an array of how-to training videos on YouTube.
7 Play nose work games
Scent Games you can play with your dog at home.
Nose work is one of the hottest spots for dogs and their owners to participate in together.
Based on the techniques used to train professional detection dogs, it involves putting a pooch onto a specific scent and sending them through a course to search out the source.
The sport of scent training has many levels of complexity, but the basic task of sniffing out desirable objects comes naturally to dogs.
Simply hide a few favorite treats around the house, introduce the scent, and send your pup scampering off to find them! For an extra challenge, use a series of boxes or bowls he will have to flip in order to collect his rewards.
If going outside is not an option, this is an excellent indoor activity for the canine body and mind. When it comes to nose work my favorite game is called “go find it.” I chop up a few carrots into small bits and hide them throughout the house. If your dog hasn’t played the game before you might want to start out with smelly treats until they get the hang of it.
To play start by having your dog sit in a stay position while you hide some of those treats around the house. If you’ve never done any nose work games before start with some easy spots that are easy to find.
After you’ve hidden the treats release your dog and tell them to “go find it.” Keep it fun and encouraging for your dog by praising them every time they find a treat. After they start to get the hang of the game you can start hiding the treats in harder-to-find spots such as under rugs or on window sills.
That will teach your dog to start relying on their natural sniffing abilities to find the treats, rather than just relying on visuals.
8 Play indoor Frisbee a great way to exercise your dog
Flippy Flopper Dog Frisbee Interactive Dog Toy – Find it here.
When it comes to exercising your dog one of the easiest methods is playing a game of Frisbee. I like to think of it as a game of fetch on steroids. Since I can toss a Frisbee way further than a ball my dog ends up running a lot more between tosses, and all extra running means she’s burning off a lot more energy.
But this can only work if you have adequate room in your house where you can afford to play the game.
If you’ve never played Frisbee with your dog I recommend starting with a soft disc or rubber Frisbee. They’re easier to pick up, and since they’re lighter and softer they’re a lot less likely to cause any injuries.
When teaching your dog to play Frisbee start by introducing them to the new toy and getting them excited about it.
Toss it a short distance or roll it along the ground, and encourage your dog when they chase it. Once your dog is excited about chasing it you can start adding in a little more distance and encouraging them to catch it. If your dog doesn’t know how to catch here are a few quick tips to get started.
9 Organize a play date
Doggie play dates are another great way to keep your dog entertained and moving. Invite over a friend’s furry pal and have them hang out for a couple of hours.
Give them a couple of squeaky toys and they will have lots of fun together.
Be careful to move any valuable items for this play date since having two dogs play together can get a little rough! So when the weather makes it impossible for your dog and you to go have a walk outdoors, try one or more of these tips indoors to make sure he stays fit all season long.
Your dog needs to exercise daily to maintain his health and stay happy. A lack of exercise can lead to several problems including:
- Destroying furniture.
- Chewing on costly items.
- Hyperactive behavior.
- increased anxiety.
- Increased aggression .
A playdate with a fellow dog is a great way to entertain your dog while getting him his exercise.
10 Exercise your dog’s mind
While physical exercise is important, so, too, it is a mental exercise. If you’re stuck inside, teach him new tricks or give him a puzzle toy.
Teaching him to “spin” or “back up” will really get his mind and body moving. Puzzle toys hide treats, which is not only fun for your dog, but it’s also interactive and strengthens his cognitive abilities as he tries to figure out how to get the food.
Related questions
Are there any games I can play with my dog that doesn’t require a large indoor space?
Yes, there are quite a number of games that can be played with your pet wherein you wouldn’t necessarily require a large space. One of our favorites is chasing the bubbles. The game is super engaging and can be a lot of fun both for you and your dog.
When it comes to teaching your dog how to chase bubbles, start by blowing a couple at a time. Point them out to your dog and encourage them to chase. If they’re a bit apprehensive catch some yourself to show you a dog that there’s nothing to worry about, and that the whole point of the game is to get them before they touch the ground.
We recommend bubbles made for kids (they also make flavored bubbles for dogs). They’re non-toxic but can upset their stomach if your dog ingests too much. And be sure to wipe off your dog’s eyes afterward to avoid any irritation.
Are there any practical things you can suggest that I can teach my dog?
There are plenty of tricks and other little things that can be taught to your pet dog to make your life easier. One of our favorites is the turn on/off the light trick.
This can come in quite handy when it’s getting late and you find yourself needing some more light and you’re feeling a bit lazy.
Instead of having to get up and turn on the light have your dog do it for you. To start with this trick a touch stick or good “touch” command are handy. If you have a small dog you might have to improvise to make it possible for your dog to reach the light switch.
Don’t attempt this trick if the occasional scratch mark on your wall will bother you.
Get a copy of our top selling new book on Amazon, Dog Training for Beginners. Get it on Paperback or Kindle here.
