10 Rainy-Day Games That Tire Out a Bored Dog

A bored dog will find a job, and you may not like the job. Ten minutes of brain work can tire a dog as much as a much longer walk. Here are ten ways to do it indoors.

1. Find it

Scatter a handful of kibble on a rug or towel and let them sniff it out.

2. Hide and seek

Have someone hold the dog, hide, then call once. Big party when they find you.

3. The muffin tin puzzle

Treats in a few cups of a muffin tin, tennis balls on top.

4. Frozen stuffed toy

Fill a rubber toy with their food and a little plain yogurt or pumpkin, then freeze.

Watch out for: peanut butter with xylitol. Check the label.

5. Teach one new trick

Spin, touch, paw. Five minutes at a time.

6. Tug with rules

Start on "take it", stop on "drop it". Great for impulse control.

7. Hallway fetch

Soft toy, short throws, on carpet for grip.

8. The cardboard box

Treats inside crumpled paper inside a box. Let them shred it under supervision.

9. Stair or cushion course

Step over a broomstick, around a chair, onto a cushion. Go slowly with seniors and puppies.

10. Name the toys

Start with one. "Get your ball." Many dogs learn several names.

Keep it safe

• Count treats as part of the day's food.

• Supervise anything that can be chewed apart.

• Stop while they still want more.

This article is general information.