[coco77]

We barely had a break in the pouring rain today to get a walk in and it got me thinking, what am I going to do on the days we can't get outside? I ordered the Lands End squall jackets for the dogs, so we should be able to go walking unless it is really nasty out. What are your favorite indoor games to burn energy? Currently we walk 30 minutes a day and then do a 15 minute clicker training session later in the day.

 

[Beaumont67]

When our Amy was not so senior, in age...the following games-of-play, were our most favorite:
Ball or Toy Fetch
Tug-of-War
Soft Bite Control
All brain stimulating exercise.

 

[Monk]

exercise is great..but to really wear down a pup during the rainy season, mental stimulation is the key. Start with simple new tasks/tricks, then move onto more challenging. I find 20 min of mental stimulation equals about an hour or so of physical exercise for a growing pup

 

[Horsy]

Also, try some nose work. Diesel's favourite game seems to be tracking. I leave him in a down position in the kitchen, grab a hand full of kibble and walk around the house dropping some here and there, in a trail up the stairs, and then hiding some in more difficult places. Behind doors, on shelves, in gaps between furniture. I then shout "GO!" and he flies off around the house to search.

This entertains him for quite a while, and using his nose tires him out. Its also been great at teaching him impulse control as he knows there is food around but has to wait till I release him. We play it in the back yard too. You may have to use some very smelly food to start with to help your dog along, but now I can use the plain bone shaped biscuits that don't really smell of anything (to me anyway, probably do to him).

 

[GrdnDelite]

Bubbles. Find it games. Ice cube hockey. Egge.

With supervision, empty clear plastic containers such as grocery store bakery departments use, and CostCo uses them for the brown eggs (Gracie's absolute fave) and their organic apples, too. We have to take them away when she starts to damage them too much, but she loves the racket they make and they use a lot of her energy.

And another vote for mental stimulation as well. Training consumes energy far beyond the physical activity taking place.

 

[Monk]

ice cube hockey..totally forgot to mention that one...Good call!!

 

[coco77]

Thanks for all the great ideas!

 

[OldDrumDobes]

I do a tennis ball or toy down the stairs over and over. Lots of exercise. Already suggested kind of but hide a kong filled with a frozen treat. I'll hide it while their outdoors when they come in I encourage them with find it till they know the word.


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[Darkevs]

"What are your favorite indoor games to burn energy?"



please do not try this at your home......heehee........

DSCF3733.mp4 video by Dar_Lyn_S | Photobucket

 

[Jazi]

I can't believe no one's mentioned laser pointers! Your milage may vary on this one as some dogs get way too worked up over it and some dogs don't care. On the bad rainy days Mocha will run out into the squall, realize it's raining, and dash back in the house. We break out the laser pointer and she goes mad for it! Several short sessions of 15-20 minutes with it throughout the day and we have minimal bored zoomies as a result. Without it she does zoomies any time she gets the least bit amped up.

 

[Sharly]

Toorc loves his laser pointer! I also hide his toys and make him find them. He's got a knack for it


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[melbrod]

Laser pointers should be used with great care. A anxious obsessive dog like my Kip will sometimes fixate on a laser pointer, to the degree that they look for little flashes of light all the time and jump at any one they see, even once the laser pointer is put away.
It is sometimes hard to tell if your dog is one that will react in that way, and they can be stuck in an obsession after just one "game".
Laser pointer are fun to watch--but not worth the risk to me.

 

[Wbleyla]

we play a rump pinching running game. as the dog runs laps around the house as she runs past me i try to pinch or slap (softly!) her rump as she runs by. this is kikis favorite game! as i do it stand in one spot as she runs crazy andas she passes me i try to "get" her.
just a game we like when it is raining out