Three indoor activities for when it’s too hot for walkies
Danny Nelis-Rouse, owner at tug toy company Tug-E-Nuff, shares some indoor activity ideas for dogs when it’s too hot for walkies.
1. Sniff it out
According to experts, just 20 minutes of sniffing is as enriching for dogs as a one-hour walk, so games that involve the dog putting their nose to work are a great shout. One of my favourite sniffing games to play at home is to scrunch up pieces of paper and hide treats inside for our dogs to find.
You can build on this activity by filling a box with a scrunched up paper and other noisy household materials and hiding treats in a dispensing dog toy such as Tug-E-Nuff’s Clam – a dog treat ball with a sturdy fastening – at the bottom for your dog to seek out.
2. Teach your dog a new trick
From ‘high five’ to ‘sitting pretty’, use your time indoors to add a new trick to the dog’s repertoire. I really like the ‘find it’ game: it grows a dog’s skills. while also helping the dog calm down and deliver mental stimulation.
If you’re not sure where to start with playing ‘find it’ with your dog, we have a free video tutorial on our website to help you get started. One of my top tips is to use a brightly coloured toy or a food toy to make it easier for your dog as they grow their find it skills.
3. Play tug
Don’t underestimate the benefits of a simple game of tug with the dog’s favourite toy. Just a short, two to three-minute tug session is enough to tire the dog out.
If a dog is on the stronger side, it’s worth investing in a proper tug toy that’s especially durable. One of Tug-E-Nuff’s most popular tug toys is our fauxtastic tug, which comes in both standard size and pocket size – the latter is perfect for on-the-spot interactive play and hiding away at home after you’ve finished your session.
