You don’t always need to spend ages walking or playing with your dog to help them stay active. Simply doing a few indoor training games can help to keep them entertained whilst also teaching them some useful skills.
These quick five minute games are a great way to provide your dog with some mental stimulation. They can provide great focus, improved communication and can make training part of their daily routine more enjoyable. They can be played on rainy days or when you’re busy.
Most of these games don’t require any expensive toys or equipment. They can be played using everyday items and small treats.
Here are 7 easy indoor training games to play.
1 Respond to Their Name
Teaching your dog to respond to their name can be one of the most useful training exercises you can do with your dog. It allows you to gain their attention before moving onto the next cue.
This is a simple game to play.
How to play:
- Find somewhere quiet with little distractions.
- Stand a short distance away from your dog.
- Say their name once in a friendly clear voice.
- When they look towards you, immediately reward them with a small treat and lots of praise.
- Repeat a few times with a short break in between.
If your dog isn’t responding don’t keep saying their name. To make it easier move closer to them or reduce the distractions.
2 Targeting
Teaching your dog to target your hand can be a useful skill to learn. It can help with everyday training, positioning and getting your dog’s attention.
This game is easy for beginners.
How to play:
- Hold out one of your hands. Make sure your hand is a few inches from your dog’s nose.
- Let them investigate.
- As soon as they touch their nose to your palm say ‘Yes!’ or if they know clicker training use your clicker.
- Immediately give them a small treat.
- Move your hand slightly and repeat.
- Once they understand the game try holding your hand out to the left/right or slightly above.
3 Find It
This game helps to teach your dog to use their nose to find a hidden treat. It’s an easy game to play which can help with their sniffing and problem solving skills.
Many dogs will enjoy searching for their food. You can make it easy or harder depending on how they are learning.
How to play:
- Ask your dog to wait or ask someone to gently hold them.
- Show them a small treat.
- Hide the treat somewhere easy to find. Maybe behind a chair or in an open area.
- Say ‘Find it!’ and let them search.
- Reward them with lots of praise when they find the treat.
- Once they’ve had a few successful goes hide the treats in slightly harder but still easy places.
4 Hide and Seek
This is a fun game to play indoors. It helps with recall and can improve your communication with your dog. It encourages them to find you when you call them.
This can be played in a hallway, living room or anywhere safe.
How to play:
- Ask your dog to wait with someone else from your family.
- Hide behind a nearby door or piece of furniture.
- Call your dog using their name or familiar recall cue.
- When they find you greet them with lots of excitement and reward them with praise/treats.
- Repeat with another easy hiding spot.
If your dog is new to this game start by hiding only partially behind the door. Make it easy for them to succeed.
5 Leave It
This game helps to teach your dog to look away from something they want. It can be useful if they pick up dropped food, household items or other distractions.
Start with a simple game using a treat in your closed fist.
How to play:
- Put a small treat in your closed fist.
- Let your dog sniff your hand.
- Wait patiently until they stop trying to get the treat or look away.
- Reward them with lots of praise and give them a different treat from your other hand.
- Repeat until they start to understand.
As they improve you can try this using a treat on the floor. Just make sure it’s covered by your hand/foot.
6 Sit and Wait
This is a simple game to play. It helps to teach your dog patience.
It can help with everyday situations such as waiting before meals or going through a doorway.
How to play:
- Ask your dog to sit.
- Raise your hand up as a gentle cue.
- Wait for 1 second and then give them the release cue (e.g. ‘Okay.’).
- Reward them for sitting.
- Gradually increase the waiting time by a second or two.
- If they stand up calmly start again and reduce the waiting time.
7 Learn a New Trick
This game helps to get your dog thinking, communicating and having fun with you. Don’t try to teach them a complex trick in one go.
Pick a simple behaviour to teach.
Ideas for beginners:
- Paw – Teach them to give a paw.
- Target – Practice touching their nose to your hand.
- Spin – Gently encourage them to turn using a treat.
- Go to Mat – Reward them for stepping onto their familiar mat.
- Chin Rest – Teach them to gently put their chin on your hand/lap.
How to play:
- Pick one trick to teach.
- Break down the behaviour into small easy steps.
- Reward them for being successful.
- Repeat for a few minutes.
- Finish with a trick they already know.
How to Include 5 Minute Training Games
You don’t need to play all 7 games every day. Just a short game can be included throughout their day.
An easy example could be:
Morning – Play the name game before breakfast.
Midday – Play the find it game to give them a little stimulation.
Afternoon – Play a targeting or Leave It game.
Evening – Play a short hide and seek or trick learning game.
Pick games depending on how your dog is feeling and their energy levels. Some dogs will enjoy searching games whilst others will enjoy learning new cues or practicing known tricks.
You can use some of their usual food for training. Just make sure it’s an appropriate amount for their daily food. If using extra treats keep the portions small.
Top Tips for Successful Indoor Training
Short training sessions work best. Make sure your dog is comfortable and understands what you want them to do.
Keep it simple with:
A quiet area – Minimise any noise/distractions especially when teaching a new skill.
Small rewards – Using very small treats means you can reward them multiple times.
Simple cues – Use simple words and be consistent.
Reward good choices – Reward them for responding well or making progress.
End on a positive – Finish with an easy game they enjoy.
Make it easy – If they look confused or lose interest make the game easier.
Give them a break – Let them have a rest, drink some water and relax.
Remember to make training enjoyable. If they walk off, get frustrated or stop responding have a break.
Can 5 Minutes of Training Exhaust My Dog?
Whilst 5 minutes of training can provide some useful mental stimulation it won’t replace the need for physical exercise for all dogs.
Training games help to keep your dog focused, making choices, responding to cues and problem solving. This can help to keep them occupied on a boring day.
Dogs will have varying needs depending on their age, breed, health and energy levels. Some younger, high energy dogs may still need some walks whilst older dogs may enjoy shorter, gentler sessions.
Think of indoor training as part of a balanced routine.
FAQs
1. What are the best 5 Minute Indoor Training Games?
Great games to start with are name, targeting, find it, hide and seek, Leave It, sit and wait and simple tricks. Pick games that suit their ability and interests.
2. Can indoor training replace daily walks?
No. Whilst indoor training can provide mental stimulation it won’t replace the need for most dogs to have appropriate physical exercise. Tailor their routine to their individual needs.
3. How many 5 minute training sessions should I do per day?
Every dog will be different. Start with 1 or 2 short sessions and adjust based on how focused, enjoying and active they are throughout the day.
4. Are these games suitable for puppies?
Most can be adapted for puppies. Keep the sessions very short, gentle and simple. Reward them with treats they would expect for their age. Avoid any games that require them to jump, slip or be too physically active.
5. My dog gets bored during training?
Try changing the game, reducing distractions or making it easier. Use rewards they enjoy. Stop before they get frustrated. You can come back to the game later.
6. Can I use their kibble instead of treats?
Yes. Many dogs will work for their kibble. Especially during simple games. Just keep track of how much you’re using so it doesn’t exceed their usual daily amount.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need a large space, expensive equipment or long sessions to make their day more interesting. These 7 games can help them to practice useful skills, keep them mentally active and spend quality time together.
Start with one game they enjoy and keep it positive. As they become more confident introduce new challenges at a comfortable pace.
A few minutes of fun training can become a valuable part of their daily routine.
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