Whatever the case, being stuck indoors with your dog all day long can be boring for both you and them. It’s also detrimental to their health and your mental wellbeing. Thus, both you and your dog need to spend time outside. However, what if that’s not always possible? Or, what if your dog is the one who can’t go outdoors, but you can? How will you keep them calm and happy?
If you want your dog to stay happy while they’re stuck inside during bad weather or other circumstances, here are some tips on ensuring their time indoors doesn’t feel too boring.
Give Them Interactive Toys to Play with
Look for toys they can play with while you’re at work, so they don’t get bored. Make sure that the toy is safe for your dog and not too small or too big for them to swallow. Such toys can help them relax. Relaxation behavioral changes have been observed in such cases. The toys also help them stay engaged and focused on one thing such that they won’t think about going outside for a while.
Ensure that the toy is easy for your dog to get their teeth on. You want it to be interactive, so they won’t just chew on it once and then leave it alone when there are no more treats hidden inside of it.
PetCareRx has a wide range of options when it comes to interactive dog toys. You’ll find the ones from KONG to be something your dog will instantly be fond of. Of course, there are other options you can explore too. In no way will you be disappointed with the lack of variation when it comes to dog toys on this website.
Create Some Indoor Games or Activities for Your Dog
Try to make the game fun for both you and your dog. Consider what he likes to do and try to come up with a new way of doing it. If he loves playing fetch, then get his favorite toy or ball and have him bring it back to you on command.
You can also play hide-and-seek games by having him find a treat in many places in the house before rewarding him with all of them at once, as well as teaching him how to roll over on command so that he can show off his talent.
Don’t expect too much from your pup at first. It may take some time before they understand what it means when they’re doing these things correctly. It’s best not to punish them if they don’t understand. Instead, keep practicing until finally winning over their hearts with loveable training methods like positive reinforcement techniques, which reward good behavior instead of punishing bad behavior.
Provide Them with Stimulating and Challenging Toys
Interactive toys are a great way to keep your dog entertained when you can’t play with him. Either the toy itself moves, or the dog has to move it for the toy to work.
Interactive and challenging toys, on the other hand, are for dogs that need a bit more than just moving around to be entertained. These toys come with special features that make it difficult for your dog not just to play but also to solve problems or perform tasks for them to reach their reward.
Schedule That Time You Spend Outdoors Together
It’s important to schedule a time you spend outdoors together. This way, your dog becomes accustomed to the routine and knows what to expect. If you just let them out randomly, they might get frustrated with not knowing when their outdoor time will begin again.
Likewise, if you only let them out for a few minutes at a time or for a few hours each day, this can also be frustrating for your dog because they want more freedom than that. Finally, if you let them outside every day but only once or twice throughout the whole day, this could be very upsetting for your pet as well.
Teach Your Dog a New Trick or Two
A great way to keep your dog entertained is by teaching them a new trick. Start out with something simple like “sit” or “stay,” and reward your dog with treats when they do it correctly. Be patient, as not all dogs learn quickly, but once they have mastered the trick, teach them another one.
Whether you’re working with a puppy or an adult dog, it’s important to remember that each animal learns at their own pace. While some pups may pick up a trick in only a few days, others could take months or even years. Don’t get frustrated if this happens. Just continue practicing, and don’t expect too much from your pup right away.
Give them treats from time to time
Treats should be given from time to time, but not too often. Limit your dog’s treat intake to 10% of daily calories. You can give your dog a treat for good behavior, such as sitting or laying down and not barking at the doorbell. Treats are also good rewards if they do something that you want them to repeat, like taking a toy away from another dog or amusingly chasing their tail.
Your dog might not enjoy staying indoors for too long. However, doing all this will make life indoors a little less boring for your pooch. It might even end up enjoying the time you two spend indoors.
