10 Indoor Enrichment Ideas for Dogs
Updated: 2 days ago
Rainy days, heatwaves, dark evenings or a dog on rest, there are lots of times a walk isn't possible. It's blowing a hoolie, it's piddling with rain, and nobody fancies going out. Brain work tires dogs out too, and a few minutes of the right game can leave your dog calmer than a short walk would. These indoor ideas use things you already have at home.
THE SHORT ANSWER
Indoor enrichment means giving your dog's brain a job: sniffing, chewing, licking, problem-solving and learning. Scent games, snuffle mats, frozen food toys, cardboard shredding boxes, trick training and short training games all work well. Use part of your dog's daily food so they don't gain weight. A few short sessions spread through the day work better than one long one, and calm activities like sniffing and licking help dogs settle afterwards.
Why enrichment matters
Dogs were bred to do jobs: herding, hunting, guarding, retrieving. Most pet dogs don't get to do those jobs, so their brains need other outlets. Without them, many dogs find their own, like chewing, barking or digging.
10 indoor enrichment ideas
1. Find it
Toss a treat and say "find it". Build up to hiding food under towels, cups or cushions. Read scent games to play at home.
2. Snuffle mat
Scatter dry food in a snuffle mat, or a rolled-up towel. Great for calming down in the evening.
3. Frozen food toys
Stuff a food toy with wet food and freeze it. Perfect on hot days.
4. Lick mats
Spread wet food or plain yoghurt on a lick mat. Licking is soothing.
5. Cardboard shredding box
Put treats inside scrunched paper in a cardboard box and let them rip it apart. Supervise so they don't eat the cardboard.
6. Muffin tin puzzle
Put treats in a muffin tin and cover them with tennis balls.
7. Trick training
Spin, paw, touch, back up. Five minutes of learning tires the brain.
8. Hide and seek
Have someone hold your dog while you hide, then call them.
9. Name the toy
Teach your dog the names of a couple of toys, then ask them to fetch one.
10. Calm settle
Reward calm on a mat. Read calming mini-games.
Tips for success
Use part of your dog's daily food
Start easy so they succeed
Keep sessions short
Finish with something calm like sniffing or licking
RENEE'S TIP
Swap your dog's food bowl for enrichment at one meal a day. It turns breakfast or dinner into a job, without adding any extra time to your day.
QUICK CHECK
ā Brain work tires dogs out
ā Sniffing, licking and chewing calm them
ā Use part of their daily food
ā Short sessions through the day
ā Finish with something calm
FROM RENEE'S BOOKSHELF
The Modern Guide to Puppy Games
100 one-minute games for indoors, with brain and scent games that suit older dogs too.
ONE-TO-ONE HELP
Help with a bored or busy dog
If your dog is struggling to settle or finding their own entertainment, I can help you build a plan that suits your dog, in an online Dog Behaviour Consultation from wherever you are.
Online on Teams, wherever you are. 30 or 60 minutes.
FAQs
What is dog enrichment?
Activities that give your dog's brain a job, like sniffing, chewing, licking and problem-solving.
Can enrichment replace walks?
On some days it can help a lot, but most dogs still need time outside.
How long should enrichment sessions be?
Short sessions of 5 to 15 minutes, a few times a day, work well.
What's the most calming enrichment?
Sniffing, licking and chewing tend to calm dogs the most.
Is a snuffle mat good for dogs?
Yes. It slows eating and gives them a calming sniffing job.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Renee Patience Ā· National Dog Trainer of the Year 2025
Founder and head trainer of Paws Academy, with more than 30 years training dogs and a Level 6 Diploma in Applied Canine Behaviour. Renee has competed in agility, obedience and heelwork to music across the UK, including at Crufts and Olympia, has appeared on CBBC, and is the author of the Modern Training Guides and the Modern Breed Handbook series. Pictured with her boxer, Kookie.
READ NEXT Scent games to play at home
