Rainy days can make outdoor adventures a challenge, especially for dogs who thrive on mental and physical stimulation. But being stuck inside doesn’t have to mean boredom. With a little creativity, you can turn a gloomy day into a fun bonding session. Here are five easy training exercises you can do indoors to keep your dog sharp, active, and entertained.
1. Hide and Seek with Treats
This game taps into your dog’s natural scenting abilities and sharpens their problem-solving skills. Start by having your dog sit and stay, then hide a few small treats around the room—under cushions, behind doors, or beneath a towel. Release them with a cue like “Find it!” and let them use their nose to track down the goodies.
Pro tip: Start easy and gradually increase the difficulty as your dog gets better at the game.
2. Practice Basic Commands with a Twist
Rainy days are a great opportunity to brush up on the basics—sit, stay, down, and come. But to keep things interesting, change up the location of the commands. Ask for a sit while your dog is on the couch or a down while they’re on a mat.
Adding variety to where and how commands are given helps reinforce learning in different contexts, which strengthens their reliability.
3. Teach a New Trick
Teaching a fun new trick not only gives your dog something exciting to work on, it also boosts their confidence. Try something playful like spin, high five, or even tidy up toys. Use positive reinforcement and plenty of treats to encourage progress.
Learning tricks builds focus and improves communication between you and your dog, especially when outside play isn’t an option.
4. Work on Impulse Control
A calm mind is just as important as a tired body. Use simple exercises like leave it, wait at the door, or stay while you move around to help your dog practice patience. These are great for mental stimulation and teach your dog that good things come to those who wait.
Impulse control exercises can be surprisingly tiring for dogs, especially when done in short, focused sessions.
5. Indoor Obstacle Course
Turn your living room into a mini agility course using whatever you have on hand. Use pillows to create a jump, lay broomsticks between chairs for a weave, or crawl under a coffee table. Walk your dog through the course slowly at first, then gradually increase the speed.
This isn’t just a workout—it’s a chance to problem-solve and build trust as your dog follows your guidance.
Rainy days don’t have to be a washout. With a little time and imagination, your home can become the perfect training playground. Whether you’re building skills or strengthening your bond, these exercises offer a great way to keep your dog happy, sharp, and connected—even when the skies are grey.
