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5 Indoor Activities Your Dog Will Love (And You’ll Actually Do)

Let’s be real—when Omaha weather keeps you and your pup indoors, those Pinterest-perfect suggestions for elaborate indoor agility courses or DIY puzzle games often end up being more aspirational than practical. We get it! That’s why we’re sharing our five favorite indoor activities that are actually doable, genuinely fun, and won’t leave your house looking like a tornado hit it.

1. The “Find It” Game

This might be the easiest game ever, but dogs absolutely love it. Grab a handful of their regular kibble or treats, let them watch you toss one across the room, and say “find it!” That’s it. As they get better at it, you can toss treats into slightly trickier spots like under the edge of the couch or behind a door. It’s simple, uses what you already have, and dogs never seem to get tired of it.

2. Hallway Fetch

If you’ve got even a small hallway, you’ve got space for this one. Roll (don’t throw!) a soft toy down the hallway and let your pup bring it back. The confined space keeps the game contained, and rolling instead of throwing means nothing gets broken. Plus, carpet or hardwood provides built-in traction training. Ten minutes of this can tire out even energetic dogs.

3. The Empty Box Game

Next time you get an Amazon delivery, put that box to good use before recycling it. Drop a few treats in an empty box and let your dog figure out how to get them. That’s it! Dogs love destroying boxes anyway, so you might as well make it a game. Just supervise to make sure they don’t eat any cardboard, and recycle the box when playtime is over.

4. Food-Dispensing Toys

Here’s one thing worth buying: a good food-dispensing toy. Fill it with their regular kibble, and suddenly dinner time becomes playtime. The best part? They entertain themselves while you get other things done. Kong toys are classics for a reason, but any sturdy food-dispensing toy works. Pro tip: Keep it exciting by only bringing it out occasionally rather than using it every day.

5. Hide and Seek (The Lazy Version)

No elaborate hiding spots needed. Just wait until your dog is distracted in one room, walk to another room, and call them. That’s it! Dogs get a surprising amount of joy from “finding” you in obvious places. It requires zero prep, zero cleanup, and you can do it while scrolling on your phone or having your morning coffee.

When You Need a Break

The best indoor activities are the ones you’ll actually do. These five games are simple enough to do anytime, don’t require buying special equipment or rearranging furniture, and most importantly—dogs genuinely enjoy them. No complicated setup required.

Sometimes the best indoor activity is letting someone else handle the entertainment. That’s what we’re here for! At Hound HQ, your pup can burn off energy playing with their friends in our climate-controlled facility while you tackle your to-do list (or just enjoy some quiet time).