When it’s gloomy and rain is pouring outside your window, sometimes the last thing you (or your dog) want to do is head outside. But don’t worry - you don’t have to! With this list of 5 rainy day dog games, you can still tire out your pup mentally and physically, without having to brave the elements.
Does rainy weather affect dogs? It certainly can. For low slung breeds, thin haired breeds & particularly old or young dogs, wet and cold weather is something they really don’t enjoy.
And while walking is important for mental and physical stimulation, sometimes it’s just not possible or sensible to take them outside. So what to do with your dog when it’s raining?
These 5 rainy day dog games have you covered. They’re indoor dog games perfect for a rainy day that I’ve used time and again. Great to have in your back pocket for when weather conditions, or even medical reasons, make walking a no-go.
So use this time to mentally challenge your dog, improve your bond together and, most importantly, stay warm & dry!
We all know hide and seek is a fun way to play with your dog. But it’s also a huge opportunity for enrichment. Sniffing is a hugely important natural behaviour for dogs, so it’s a fantastic way to make indoor time more enriching.
To get your dog into the hang of this game, you can start by asking them to stay, while you hide treats around them in the room, in their eyeline. Then release them and reward verbally for finding the treats. Once they have the hang of things, you can then build up their skills by hiding treats out of sight to make things a little harder.
To turbocharge your hide and seek, find tough spots that they really have to search for - perhaps at the top of the house or a room they don’t usually spend time in, and hide a jackpot prize there.
Something like a LickiMat or Chilly Penguin works wonders here - especially when frozen. As this prolongs the reward time and helps to calm them down after the exciting hunt.
If your dog is happily sociable, why not see if any fellow pet parents are also wanting to avoid the rain whilst still having fun?
Socialising, for most dogs, is a hugely enriching and important activity. Not only do they have to work to keep up with the play and understand social cues, but they also get to enjoy being a dog.
Often, we expect our dogs to be well-behaved and quiet in and around the home, so allowing them to let loose for a few hours with another dog is a fantastic way to help them release some excess energy and feel relaxed & happy afterwards
While the weather might mean that walking is off the cards, you can still stay indoors while exposing your dog to the world. There are plenty of dog-friendly stores that make for ideal training venues.
Especially for younger dogs still learning about the world, this kind of training is hugely important. It allows them to become socialised to different surfaces, smells & people - a hugely enriching experience. Practising around distractions is also a fantastic way to prove your training and strengthen your dog’s ability to listen to you no matter what.
A treat bag and some appealing treats are perfect to bring with you on this kind of excursion. After a few hours of training and exposure to new places, your dog will surely be ready for a quiet snooze at home!
Especially when you have lots of indoor time with your dog, meals should be used for extra enrichment. So instead of just serving up breakfast in a bowl, try splitting your dog’s meal into several puzzle toys.
This is a fantastic way to make your dog work for their food, tiring out their mind as they work out how to release the yummy food inside. Great for boredom busting!
I’ve listed some of my personal favourite puzzle feeders here:
If you are staying in, why not make the most of it with a doggy spa day! Catch up on all those grooming tasks you’ve been meaning to get to and give your dog a thorough health check while you do.
Bath time can be fun, especially when you treat it as a training game. You can work on desensitising your dog to being touched, handled and bathed in small steps. Or, if you prefer, just relax and enjoy a full spa day together
Start with a full bath, using our lovely natural shampoo and conditioner range, followed by a good towelling off. Then brush through the hair and feel your dog's body as you go. This is an ideal time to check for any lumps, bumps or irregularities you might miss day to day. Finish with some nail clipping for the final flourish.
One way to make bath time super positive is to use a frozen LickiMat to keep your dog still and happy throughout. This way they can enjoy a tasty treat while you make sure they are clean and fresh for when the sun makes its return.
Be sure to check out our range of brilliant grooming accessories for the ultimate spa day experience for your pup.
There we have it, 5 fun rainy day dog games to enjoy with your pup. No more wondering what to do with your dog when it’s raining, instead embrace the opportunity to brush up on your training, enjoy some mutual activities and even indulge yourselves a little.
Have you tried any of these indoor dog games for rainy days? If so, tag us on Instagram @pittapatta_dog_boutique so I can see!
