Alternatives to Walks, Part 1: Indoor Activities

Logan Beauregard
2 days ago
3 min read

This is the 1st post in 2 part series. This first post discusses indoor activities that you can do with your dog instead of taking them for a walk. The second post will discuss outdoor activities that you can do instead of a typical neighbourhood leash walk.

The goal of these indoor activities is to burn mental and/or physical energy without having to go outside.

A german shepherd mix looks out a window at thin slushy snow cover. — Libby felt extra betrayed when it was slushy and wet under her beloved snow.

Nosework & Scent Detection

Dogs have very powerful noses and using their nose is both satisfying and relaxing for most dogs. I love doing scent games with my dogs inside when it's bad weather or I'm not feeling well or I just want to mix things up!

For reactive dogs: using their nose taps into that "searching the environment for something" part of their brain but gets them to do it for something that has positive, non-overwhelming emotions attached to it.
For anxious dogs: using their nose helps them to take deeper breaths which helps calm their nervous system and these games teach them to sniff for things that have positive, non-overwhelming associations.
For excited dogs: using their nose keeps them anchored to the ground, burns mental energy (which they often have less of than physical energy), and gives you a way to occupy them without it being a big social event.

Here is a great video to get you started:

6 Nosework Games for Dogs: Easy, Simple Scentwork!

Tricks

I'm pretty quick to admit that I am not a "tricks guy" - my dogs don't know a ton of tricks, I'm generally pretty laid back and low energy, and I often spend more time training my dogs NOT to dance with me than coming up with dance routines together.

However, that means it's a great break from our routine when we DO learn something new. Plus, most tricks still work on some kind of core skill that your pet dog can benefit from.

Touch or Hand Target (nose to hand) is a great beginner trick that can be expanded into fancier tricks like Spin, help with leash walking, or cooperative care behaviours like Stationing
Retrieve or Hold can be a lot of fun to get your dog to pick things up for you and bring them to you
Chin or Rest (chin in your hand or on your lap) is very cute and also can be used for cooperative care Stationing

Indoor Obstacle Course

I call this "lazy agility". I teach my dogs to jump over, stand on, go around, pass by, and stay beside whatever household objects seem safe and size appropriate.

For Obi (who was ~85 lbs), we used: the couch, the ottoman, big rubbermaid bins, upside down food bowls, his mat, home depot buckets (with weights in the bottom to prevent tipping), and brooms as jumps.

For Libby (who had elbow dysplasia), we used more flat options (dog beds, brooms cavaletti) and did less jumping/sharp turns.

For Perry (who is ~13 lbs), we can use big yogurt tubs as cones.

For Daisy (who is a wrecking ball with legs), we need things to be sturdy. She's happily vaulted off of our folding side tables before.

Try to do this on a non-slip floor as you don't want your dog to slip and injure themselves!

Here is a video with other creative obstacle ideas.

Indoor Walking Course

Similar to the obstacle course except the emphasis is on going around, passing by, and practicing turns. I use recycling containers as my "cones" and my furniture as "obstacles" to maneuver around. This lets me practice the mechanics of walking during the winter without needing to go outside and slip on the ice!

Canine Enrichment

This is a good phrase to search for when you're looking for indoor activities to do with your dogs. Some of these activities involve food like treat dispensing toys, which I love because I don't have to be directly involved! When it's cold or icy or hot or storming, I will sometimes give my dogs their whole meals through enrichment games.

Here is a good list to start with.