As most of us know, reactive dogs often require extra care and attention to keep them calm and happy, particularly when outdoor environments can be overwhelming and cause stress. Whether your dog reacts to other dogs, people, or noises, the key is finding easy and accessible activities that meet their energy levels without increasing stress. Engaging your dog indoors isn't just about burning energy - it's also about providing mental stimulation that keeps them occupied, stress-free and out of trouble.
Why Indoor Activities Matter
When walking a reactive dog, outdoor triggers can quickly turn a routine stroll into an extremely challenging situation. As mentioned in one of our recent posts, these reactive episodes can elevate your dog's cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol influences how your dog reacts to these triggers and impacts the time it takes them to settle afterwards.
Crowded areas, unexpected noises, or an unwanted interaction can quickly escalate your dog's anxiety. That's why having a go-to list of indoor activities is essential for any reactive dog owner. These activities help manage their energy levels, reduce stress, and improve their overall well-being. Most importantly, these are games and tools that we have tried and tested and truly consider essential in your dog's behaviour modification.
So, let's discuss some of the best indoor activities that will not only tire out your reactive dog but also bring a little peace and enjoyment to your day.
1. Interactive Puzzle Toys
Puzzle toys are one of the best ways to keep your dog's mind sharp and engaged. They require your dog to work for their food or treats, which can tire them out mentally - sometimes even more than a physical workout! While you should still provide your pup with physical exercise, incorporating a puzzle into your dog's daily routine can help their problem-solving skills, focus, and function as a tool for mental stimulation.
Our Dog Puzzle Product Recommendations
Tube Spinning Puzzles
These are genuinely some of our favourite puzzle toys on the market because almost any dog can get the hang of them. Tube spinning puzzles also help with the conditioning of your dog's legs, dexterity, and focus. It's amazing watching your pup develop an understanding to paw at specific tubes, or that the cap needs to face towards the ground. One of our resident pooches is an expert at this puzzle and takes around 7-10 minutes to completely empty the tubes.
A couple of different versions of these toys are the Pick for Life Wooden Tube Puzzle and the Trixie Turn Around Puzzle.
Puzzle Boards
Dog puzzle boards are right alongside the tube-spinning puzzles in terms of difficulty. Similarly to all of our listed dog puzzles, these boards incorporate an element of "Find it!" which is great for dogs who love to use their noses. Puzzle boards require your dog to use their sense of smell, paws and nose to move the pieces, and ultimately help build your pup's confidence through the art of scavenging.
There are two puzzle boards that we love to incorporate into our daily feeding schedule alongside the tube towers, and those are Outward Hound's Nina Ottosson Hide N Slide and the MultiPuzzle Interactive Board.
These puzzles vary in difficulty, so you can start with something simple and gradually increase the challenge as your dog gets better at solving them. They are such amazing tools to keep your dog entertained while you're working from home or need a few moments of quiet. We do have a lot of people asking though, why do they work? Well, puzzle toys force your dog to think critically, offering mental stimulation that can be just as exhausting as physical exercise. They're also a great distraction for dogs that are easily triggered by external noises or movements and can be used for building up your dog's tolerance to outdoor spaces.
2. Scent Games and Nose Work
Did you know that nose work induces positive judgment bias in our dogs? If not, now you do! Studies have concluded that allowing dogs to spend more time using their olfaction through a regular nose work activity makes them more optimistic. By allowing dogs to use their noses and performing more "foraging" time, their welfare is improved. In saying this, scent games are an excellent way for reactive dog owners to provide mental and physical stimulation that aligns with developing an optimistic attitude for your dog.
While we enjoy using products designed for snuffling and nose work indoors, one of the best ways to encourage your dog to snuffle is by feeding them in the garden. Using dry biscuits, you can establish a nose work game by, quite literally, throwing your dog's food throughout the grass, scattering it in an even distribution, accompanied with "Find it!". If you don't have a garden, you can do this during a walk by bringing a small bag of food, finding a quiet, grassy area, and scattering the biscuits while your dog is attached to a long line. Alternatively, using a snuffle mat is a fantastic option for indoor nose work.
Our Scent Games Product Recommendations
Fabric Snuffle Mats
One of our favourite products for scent games is a good old snuffle mat. If you have a sewing machine and some old fabric that you're not afraid to upcycle (thicker is ideal, but not essential), you can make your own snuffle mat. However, we have a couple of favourites that are priced competitively and are a good size for all breeds of dogs. The first is the Emwel Dog Snuffle Mat, which is machine washable and foldable and is large enough for giant breeds. The second option we love is more suitable for smaller breeds and treats (or food), which is this Non-Slip Snuffle Mat available on Amazon.
3. Tug-of-War
Does your dog have a full box of plush toys that they love? Well, we seriously recommend picking up one of their favourite toys for a game of tug-of-war. This game is a great physical outlet that doesn't require much space. It's interactive and can help reinforce training commands like "Drop it!" and "Take it!" all while giving your dog a chance to burn off energy.
In addition to being a great training tool through play, tug-of-war is a wonderful activity to help solidify the bond between you and your pup. There are tonnes of different tug-of-war toys on the market, so pick one that you think your pup will enjoy!
4. DIY Agility Course
You don’t need a backyard to create an agility course, just a little creativity! Use household items like chairs, cushions, blankets, brooms and mop handles to design jumps, tunnels, and weave poles. It may seem a little silly at first, but it's a tonne of fun for both you and your pup. Guide your dog through the course using treats or their favourite toy.
We assure you that your dog will love having an indoor agility course! You can have fun, and provide a full-body workout and mental stimulation all at the same time. Building a course is a great way to keep your dog physically active and mentally sharp without leaving the house, and if you need a creative activity for your kids too, why not let them create the course?
5. Indoor Fetch
While our resident reactive pup isn't a huge fan of outdoor fetch, she actually loves chasing a soft toy around the house when we toss it. So if you don't have enough space in your garden, indoor fetch can be a great way to burn off some energy. Fetch is a fantastic physical activity that can tire out even the most energetic dogs. Plus, the repetitive nature of the game helps reinforce positive behaviours like bringing the toy back to you.
Indoor Ball Product Recommendation
Our dogs are obsessed with this Chuckit! Indoor Ball. Sometimes they will just carry it around, other times they'll play tug-of-war with it, but it was originally purchased with the intent of using it solely for indoor fetch - and it does do a great job! It's soft, lightweight, and is specifically designed for indoor play, making it a safe option for a game of fetch in the living room.
Creating a Safe Home Environment
When it comes to managing a reactive dog, creating a safe and peaceful home environment is key. For more tips on making your home a sanctuary for your reactive dog, check out our article on Creating a Safe Home Environment for Reactive Dogs.
If you’re looking for more strategies to make life with your reactive dog easier, don’t miss our guide on Living with a Reactive Dog: Strategies for Stress-Free Coexistence.
So, try out some indoor activities with your reactive dog!
Keeping a reactive dog calm and content indoors can be a challenge, but with the right activities, you can turn those chaotic high-energy moments into positive experiences for the entire family. Whether you're working on mental puzzles, playing scent games, or just enjoying a game of tug-of-war, these indoor activities will help tire out your reactive dog and keep them happy.
Remember, it's all about finding the right balance of physical and mental stimulation to keep your dog engaged and calm. So, the next time you're stuck indoors, give one of these activities a try and watch your reactive dog thrive!
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