Summer is in full swing, and while we love the sunshine, the dog days of summer can keep our four-legged friends cooped up inside. And let’s be honest—just because the AC is blasting doesn’t mean our pups know how to take it easy. In fact, when their walk schedule gets thrown off by the heat, keeping them entertained (and tired!) indoors becomes part of our job.
We’ve rounded up seven indoor games to help burn off your pup’s extra energy in safe, creative, and enriching ways. Some are training-based, some are just plain fun and most don’t require much space. Are you ready? Let the games begin!
First Things First: Set the Stage for Success
A few of these games require some basic training skills. If your puppy (or your sweet senior) isn’t familiar with the cues yet, part of the game becomes teaching them, and that’s a win, too.
When it comes to teaching behaviors, the goal is to let your dog discover the right move. For instance, if you want to teach a dog to lie down, take a treat and use it as a lure by holding it at their nose then slowly moving it to the floor. They may paw at your hand on the floor, boop it with their nose or just start whining. Wait it out. Don't expect your dog to "get it" right away. But the moment their body hits the floor, even if it’s just out of frustration, that's the exact moment you give them a treat to mark the wanted behavior. Consistency and patience are everything. After a few times of doing this, you can add in a cue like "down." Other cues that will be helpful are “stay”, “wait” and “leave it”. (If these aren’t part of your dog's skills, they will pay off in the long run to teach them.)
Now onto the games!
1. Puppy Push-Ups
Great for: Basic obedience, core strength and mental stimulation.
Start with your dog in a sit. Then cue or lure them into a down. From down, lure them back into a sit. That’s one push-up! Repeat 8–10 times, rewarding every other time. Keep the tempo upbeat and the treats high-value
Tip: Feel free to repeat the cycle a few times, allowing for 5-minute breaks in between.
2. Seek & Find
Great for: Nose work, confidence building and enrichment.
Put your pup in a “stay” or use a crate if their impulse control isn’t quite there yet. Place 6–8 small treats around a room—nose level is ideal to start—and make sure your dog isn’t watching. Then bring them in, give a cue like “Find it!,” and let the game begin. If they don’t understand the assignment, slowly walk around the room and wait near a treat, calling your dog to follow. Once they get on the “scent,” it’s game on!
Repeat 3–4 rounds, and as they get better, make it more challenging by:
- Hiding treats in other rooms
- Varying height (safely)
- Adding trickier spots like behind furniture or inside toys
Tip: The more “smelly” a treat is, the easier it will be for your dog to sniff it out in the early stages of learning this game.
3. Tug & Trade
Great for: Energy release, impulse control and strengthening your bond.
A good game of tug is not only fun—it’s a fantastic outlet for high-energy dogs. But here’s the trick: work in “trade” or “drop it” commands. Play tug for 10 seconds, then ask for a drop and reward with either a treat or more tugging when the drop occurs. This turns the game into a fun way to reinforce obedience and trust.
Tip: To protect your dog’s neck during tug, let them do the side-to-side shaking. Your job is to pull straight toward you—never yank the toy side to side. This keeps the game fun and safe.
4. The Muffin Tin Puzzle
Great for: Problem-solving and food motivation.
Take a muffin tin and place a few treats in some of the “muffin cups,” then cover each one with a tennis ball. Let your dog sniff, nudge and figure out how to remove the ball to get the treat. This is a simple, affordable enrichment game that you can make more challenging (by using smaller treats) as they improve at it.
5. Shell Game (Doggie Version)
Great for: Focus, scent training and impulse control.
Set out three plastic cups and hide a treat under one. Slowly shuffle the cups so your dog can watch. Allow them to paw or nose the correct one; when they choose the right cup, lift it and let them enjoy their reward for their “find”!
Want to make it more challenging? Add more cups to your shuffle and use the “wait” command. This would look something like this: Set the treats under a cup, shuffle them as before, but this time ask your dog to “wait” once they approach. After a few seconds, give your dog a release cue like "all set" or "okay" (whichever cue you normally use) and let them continue with the fun.
6. The Cardboard Box Challenge
Great for: Mental stimulation and nose work.
Take a box from one of your recent home deliveries, drop a few treats inside, fold it closed, and place it on the floor. Then let your dog go to town trying to figure out how to open it. You’ll see sniffing, pawing, nosing, and eventually, your pup enjoying all the goodies inside! Ways to make this more challenging: nest smaller boxes inside each other.
Tip: Supervise the fun—some dogs may try to eat the box instead of just opening it.
7. Follow the Leader
Great for: Engagement, leash manners and body awareness.
Pop a leash on your dog (indoors) and walk slowly around your house, changing direction often. Every time your dog moves following your lead, give them a treat. Randomly stop and ask your pup to sit. Or switch directions. The goal here is to get your pup to follow your lead and keep their eye on you for cues. The bonus? This translates outside and will help make your walks more enjoyable. Make sure you are having fun—and your dog will, too!
Final Thoughts: Play With Purpose
Indoor play can be intentional, engaging and surprisingly effective at wearing your pup out. The key is to keep activities fresh and focused. Rotate through different games and aim for 20–30 minutes total, max. If you’re incorporating training, remember: most dogs lose focus after about 5 minutes of learning. So be sure to break it up into short, bite-sized sessions throughout the day to keep your pup excited and set them up for success.
Johnna Devereaux is a Clinical Pet Nutritionist, canine wellness expert and Chief Nutrition Officer for Bow Wow Labs.
**The points of view expressed above are those of our clinical nutritionist and are supported by science, her education and experience. We are committed to providing the best, most straightforward, and most helpful information possible to help keep your dog happy, healthy and safe.
