7 Calm Indoor Activities for Dogs
Not all enrichment activities need to be noisy or fast-paced. You can still provide your dog with activities that will engage them and allow them to use their nose, think, explore and interact with you.
If you live in an apartment, have close neighbours or a home-based job, or just want your dog to have a calming activity, then low noise indoor enrichment can be a great option.
Your dog may get bored if they aren’t getting much exploration and using their natural skills. However you don’t need much space or expensive equipment.
In this blog post you’ll learn 7 calm indoor activities you can do with your dog using simple household items to provide them with some mental stimulation and keep them busy.
Why Do Dogs Need calm indoor activities?
Dogs need physical activity but also activities that will engage their brain.
Using calm indoor activities will help your dog use their skills.
Here are some reasons why you should provide your dog with these types of activities:
These activities will help your dog think and make decisions. Using simple puzzles and searching games.
This allows your dog to use their natural skills such as sniffing, exploring and searching.
Many of these games can be played in a small room so there is no running or jumping.
This will help your dog with their indoor routine.
Playing simple games will help improve your bond.
These activities should be used as extra activities and shouldn’t replace other activities such as walks.
7 Calm Indoor Activities for a Bored Dog
These activities will be easy to set up and can be tailored to suit your dog’s age, ability and experience.
1. Treat Search on Towel
This is one of the easiest ways to provide your dog with some low noise enrichment. It will allow them to use their nose to find some small food treats.
Items needed:
- Towel (clean)
- Small dog treats or pieces of normal dog food
Instructions:
- Place your towel on the floor.
- While your dog is watching place a few treats in different areas of the towel.
- Fold or loosely roll the towel so the treats are a bit harder to find.
- Place the towel in front of your dog and encourage them to search.
- Let your dog sniff around.
Start off by loosely folding the towel so your dog can easily find the treats. As they get used to playing this game you can make it a bit harder.
This will help your dog use their nose and will provide them with a simple searching game. The towel is soft to keep the game calm.
Always supervise your dog and take away the towel if they start to chew or eat pieces.
2. Which Hand Game
This is a simple game that will require very little space or items. It’s a great game if you want to play a few calm minutes with your dog.
Items needed:
- A few small treats.
Instructions:
- Ask your dog to sit/stand.
- Place a small treat in one hand.
- Close both hands and hold them in front of your dog.
- Let your dog sniff both hands.
- When they investigate the right hand open it and give them the treat. Repeat with the treat in different hands.
- Move slowly and let your dog investigate.
This will help your dog use their nose and learn to pay attention to small cues. It’s an easy way to have some 1-1 time with your dog.
3. Find Your favourite Toy
This will provide your dog with a little mental stimulation without requiring them to be very active.
Choose a soft toy that doesn’t make any noises.
Instructions:
- Show your dog their favourite soft toy.
- Ask them to wait while you hide it somewhere easy to find.
- Choose somewhere close by to hide it, such as next to a cushion or behind some safe furniture.
- Encourage your dog to search for it.
- Praise them when they find it.
Start off by hiding it partially so it’s easy for your dog to find. As they get used to this game you can hide it a little harder.
If your dog likes to carry their toy let them bring it to you. Don’t throw it across the room as you want it to be a calm activity.
This will help your dog use their searching and problem solving skills.
4. Cardboard Box Treasure Hunt
You can create a simple enrichment activity using a cardboard box.
Items needed:
- One clean empty cardboard box.
- A few treats or pieces of normal dog food.
- Loosely crumpled paper (optional).
Instructions:
- Choose a strong box with no staples, sharp edges or loose tape.
- Place a few treats in the box.
- If your dog is happy to then add some loosely crumpled paper.
- Place the box on a non slip surface.
- Encourage your dog to sniff around and find the treats.
Keep it simple to start with so your dog can easily reach the treats without getting frustrated.
This will help your dog investigate different smells and will provide them with a little problem solving. It doesn’t require any noisy toys.
Always supervise your dog and take the box away if they start tearing and eating the cardboard/paper.
5. Snuffle Mat Slow Feeder
If your dog tends to eat quickly then a snuffle mat can be a great way to make meal times more interesting. The mat will have sections of soft fabric to hide pieces of dry dog food.
Items needed:
- Snuffle mat.
- Normal dry dog food or small treats.
Instructions:
- Place a small amount of your dog’s food in between the sections of fabric.
- Place the mat on a flat non slip surface.
- Encourage your dog to sniff around and find the food.
- Let them investigate the mat at their own pace.
- Once you’ve finished take the mat away.
Start off by placing the food close to the surface so your dog can learn how to use the mat. Once they’re used to it you can hide some pieces a little deeper.
This will provide your dog with some mental stimulation as they will have to sniff around for the food.
Choose a snuffle mat that will be suitable for your dog’s size and chewing. Always supervise your dog and check the mat regularly for any loose fabric.
6. Calm Training
Training doesn’t have to be an exciting activity. You can help keep your dog’s brain active by practising some simple commands.
This can be practising commands they know or introducing something new.
Try:
- Sit - Ask your dog to sit and reward them.
- Down - Encourage them to lay down.
- Stay - Practise a short stay whilst you’re close by.
- Touch - Teach them to gently touch your open hand with their nose.
- Look at me - Reward them for looking at you when you say their name.
Keep the sessions short and positive. Use small rewards and give them breaks in between.
This will help your dog to listen, concentrate and respond to your commands. It will also help them to practise useful behaviours.
Don’t make it too challenging. If they get distracted or frustrated then go back to an easier activity.
7. Lick Mat
Another useful option is using a lick mat. The mat will have different textures to hold some soft food. Your dog will then have to lick the food slowly.
Items needed:
- Dog safe lick mat.
- Appropriate soft food such as plain pumpkin puree or dog food that can be spread.
Instructions:
- Choose a dog lick mat.
- Spread a thin layer of the appropriate food across the mat.
- Place the mat on a stable and easy to clean surface.
- Let your dog investigate the different textures and lick the food.
- Once they’ve finished take the mat away and clean.
Before using any human foods check the ingredients. Avoid anything containing xylitol, chocolate or anything else that isn’t safe for dogs. If you’re unsure then use your dog’s normal food.
This will provide your dog with a focused activity that many of them will enjoy. It’s an easy way to add variety to their indoor enrichment.
Always supervise your dog and take the mat away if they start to chew.
Tips for Keeping Indoor Activities Calm
Sometimes even simple games can become noisy. To keep your dog’s activities calm try:
Use towels, fabric mats and soft toys.
Some toys can be quite loud.
Often a quiet room or cosy corner will be enough.
Don’t throw any toys or encourage them to run around.
Use a gentle voice and small rewards.
If they seem uncomfortable, frustrated or too excited then stop or change the activity.
You can also choose activities depending on the time of day. A quick towel search or lick mat might be perfect for a quiet afternoon at home.
How long should I do calm indoor activities for?
There isn’t a set amount of time that you should do. The ideal amount of time will depend on your dog’s age, health, experience and how interested they are in the activity.
Start with a short amount of time and see how they react. Some dogs might enjoy a quick search whilst others might enjoy searching for longer.
Look for signs that they’re enjoying the activity:
- They’re happily sniffing and investigating.
- They’re interested and not getting frustrated.
- They’re happy to receive the rewards.
- They’re happy to investigate when encouraged.
If they’re not interested then give them a break or try an easier activity.
Common Mistakes
To keep your dog’s enrichment enjoyable and safe avoid:
- Too difficult - Start with easy hiding spots and simple puzzles.
- Wrong household items - Avoid anything with sharp edges, small detachable pieces or anything your dog could swallow.
- Too many treats - Remember to count the treats towards their daily food allowance.
- Unsupervised - Some enrichment items can become unsafe if chewed.
- Forcing them to play - Let them decide if they want to play.
- Same game every time - Try simple variations to keep their indoor enrichment interesting.
The aim is to provide your dog with a positive experience.
FAQs
1. What are the best calm indoor activities for dogs?
Treat searches, snuffle mats, lick mats, calm training and soft toy searches are all great options. They will help keep your dog’s brain busy without the need for loud toys.
2. How can I keep my dog busy in an apartment without any noise?
Choose activities that will help your dog use their nose, lick and problem solve. A towel search, cardboard box puzzle and simple training can be done in a small space without encouraging them to run or jump.
3. Are calm games suitable for puppies?
Many simple activities can be adapted for puppies. Use easy puzzles, appropriate puppy safe rewards and keep the sessions short. Always supervise them and avoid anything small, difficult to hide or anything they could swallow.
4. Will calm activities tire my dog out?
These activities will help your dog use their brain, nose and investigate. They can be a great addition to physical activities but won’t replace their walks, movement and other requirements.
5. What can I use instead of loud dog toys?
Use clean towels, soft toys, snuffle mats, appropriate cardboard boxes and dog safe lick mats. Choose items that will suit your dog’s chewing habits and supervise them.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to make a noisy home to keep your bored dog busy. Using simple activities such as treat searches, soft toy games, calm training and lick mats will help keep their brain busy.
Start with one or two activities they enjoy and make small changes over time. Be mindful of their comfort, supervise them and use safe items.
With a little creativity you can provide lots of fun indoor enrichment even in a small apartment.
Happy Paws, Happier Homes!
