Border Collie working on a dog puzzle feeder indoors on a rainy day

8 Indoor Games for a Bored Dog on Rainy or Hot Days

Quick answer: When it's too hot or wet to walk, swap physical exercise for brain work. Sniffing and foraging games, puzzle feeders, frozen food toys and 5-minute training sessions keep dogs busy and give them a real mental workout. Start easy, supervise, and finish before your dog gets frustrated.

Why brain games work

Dogs are built to sniff, search and work for their food. Pet dogs mostly get meals handed to them in a bowl, which leaves a lot of that drive unused. Enrichment, meaning activities that let dogs act out natural behaviours like foraging and problem-solving, helps prevent the boredom that often turns into chewing, digging and barking. RSPCA Victoria's behaviour team recommends treat-hiding puzzle games as part of its range of enrichment toys, and the RSPCA's own DIY guides show simple homemade versions.

1. Find it

Ask your dog to sit and stay (or have someone hold them), hide a treat somewhere easy, then say "find it". Once they get the idea, hide treats in other rooms, under cushions and behind doors.

2. Scatter feeding

Instead of a bowl, scatter part of your dog's dry food across a towel, a rug or the backyard lawn. Sniffing out each piece turns a 30-second meal into several minutes of nose work.

3. A puzzle feeder

A puzzle feeder hides kibble under covers your dog slides or turns with their nose or paw. Our Dog Puzzle Feeder is hard plastic, so there are no fabric strips to rip out like a snuffle mat. Leave a few covers open the first time so your dog wins quickly, then close more as they work it out. Supervise: it's a game, not a chew toy.

4. The muffin-tin game

Put treats in a few cups of a muffin tray and cover every cup with a ball too big to swallow. Your dog has to move the balls to find the treats.

5. Toilet-roll treat parcels

Put a few pieces of kibble inside an empty toilet roll and fold the ends shut, or roll kibble up in an old towel or fleece. Let your dog unroll or rip it open, under supervision, and clear away the cardboard afterwards.

6. Frozen treats for hot days

Freeze some of your dog's food in an ice-cube tray, a small container or a stuffable rubber toy. It takes longer to eat and is a nice cool treat on a hot afternoon. Check with your vet if you're unsure what's safe to freeze for your dog.

7. Five-minute training sessions

Short bursts of training are hard mental work. Practise sit, drop, stay, "touch" (nose to your hand), "leave it", or teach something new like spin or shake hands. Three or four 5-minute sessions through the day beat one long one.

8. Cardboard box shred

Drop a few treats into a cardboard box with scrunched-up paper and let your dog dig through it. Only use plain cardboard and paper, and pick up the pieces afterwards so they aren't eaten.

Tips to keep it fun and safe

  • Start easy. Success keeps dogs keen. Make each game a little harder only once your dog finds the treats fast.
  • Use part of the daily food so your dog doesn't gain weight on rainy weeks.
  • Supervise every game and put toys away afterwards.
  • Stop while it's still fun, before frustration sets in.
  • Mix it up. Rotate games through the week so each one stays interesting.

When the weather clears, test the footpath before you head out. Our hot-weather walking guide explains how.

Shop the fix

See our Calm & Comfort range or the Dog Puzzle Feeder.

Frequently asked questions

How do I tire my dog out indoors?

Use nose work and problem-solving: hide-and-find treats, scatter feeding, puzzle feeders and short training sessions. Many owners find a short sniffing session leaves their dog ready for a nap.

Are puzzle feeders good for dogs?

Most dogs enjoy them, and they turn mealtime into a foraging game. Pick one that suits your dog's level and always supervise, because they're not chew toys.

Do puzzle feeders slow down fast eaters?

Spreading part of a meal across the puzzle means your dog eats a few pieces at a time instead of gulping a bowlful.

How long should indoor games last?

Short sessions of 5 to 15 minutes are plenty. Stop while your dog is still keen.

Is a snuffle mat or a hard puzzle better?

Snuffle mats are great for gentle sniffers, but some dogs rip the fabric. A hard-plastic puzzle suits dogs that tend to shred.

Sources

Updated October 2026. General information only, not veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog, call your vet.

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