Bored Dog? 10 Vet-Approved Games to Play at Home
In this article
<h1>Bored Dog? 10 Vet-Approved Games to Play at Home</h1>
<p>Rainy day? Stuck inside? Or just too tired to head to the dog park? No problem. Boredom is one of the top causes of unwanted behavior in dogs—but the good news is, it doesn’t take fancy toys or big backyards to beat it.</p>
<p>I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, veterinarian and founder of <a href="https://woopf.com" target="_blank">Woopf</a>. These 10 vet-approved games are perfect for indoor fun, mental stimulation, and bonding with your dog—no matter the weather or space you’re working with.</p>
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<h2>🎁 1. “Find It” Treat Hunt</h2>
<ul>
<li>🧠 Great for mental stimulation</li>
<li>🐶 Builds independence and confidence</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to play:</strong> Show your dog a treat, say “Find it!”, and place it behind furniture, under cushions, or in plain sight. Increase difficulty over time.</p>
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<h2>🧺 2. Towel Roll-Up Game</h2>
<ul>
<li>🐾 Great for puppies and chewers</li>
<li>🧠 Uses scent tracking and problem-solving</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to play:</strong> Lay treats or kibble on a towel, roll it up, and let your dog unravel it to find the snacks.</p>
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<h2>📦 3. Cardboard Box Scramble</h2>
<ul>
<li>🪵 Satisfies digging and shredding urges</li>
<li>📦 Uses recycling materials</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to play:</strong> Fill a box with scrunched newspaper or safe paper and toss in a few treats or toys. Let your dog dig, search, and destroy!</p>
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<h2>🎾 4. Muffin Tin Puzzle</h2>
<ul>
<li>🎯 Boosts problem-solving skills</li>
<li>🍖 Encourages gentle nose work</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to play:</strong> Place treats in a muffin tin, then cover each cup with a tennis ball or toy. Your dog must move them to find rewards.</p>
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<h2>🏠 5. Indoor Obstacle Course</h2>
<ul>
<li>🚧 Uses chairs, blankets, and cushions</li>
<li>🎓 Helps with coordination and listening</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to play:</strong> Set up a mini agility course in your hallway or living room. Use low jumps, under-chair crawls, and towel tunnels.</p>
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<h2>🧠 6. New Tricks Challenge</h2>
<ul>
<li>🎓 Mental stimulation + training reinforcement</li>
<li>🧩 Strengthens your bond</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Try:</strong> Touch, spin, wave, or "place" on a mat. Keep sessions short (3–5 minutes) with lots of rewards using the <a href="https://woopf.com/products/explorer-dual-pocket-dispenser" target="_blank">Woopf Treat Dispenser</a>.</p>
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<h2>🦴 7. Frozen Treat Time</h2>
<ul>
<li>🧊 Soothes teething and reduces reactivity</li>
<li>🐾 Lasts longer than regular treats</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to play:</strong> Stuff a Kong or silicone mold with banana, plain yogurt, or canned food. Freeze and serve for quiet enrichment.</p>
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<h2>👃 8. Shell Game (The Classic Cup Shuffle)</h2>
<ul>
<li>🎯 Encourages focus and scent work</li>
<li>🤹 Mentally tiring with minimal movement</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to play:</strong> Place a treat under one of 3 plastic cups. Shuffle them and ask your dog to pick the right one. Celebrate when they get it!</p>
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<h2>🎮 9. Tug with Rules</h2>
<ul>
<li>💪 Physical outlet + self-control training</li>
<li>🧠 Works impulse control (“drop it” cue)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to play:</strong> Use a tug toy and play short sessions. Insert "drop it" cues for breaks and reward compliance before continuing.</p>
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<h2>📸 10. Name Your Toys Game</h2>
<ul>
<li>🧠 Advanced cognitive training</li>
<li>🧸 Perfect for high-energy smart breeds</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>How to play:</strong> Assign names to different toys (“fox,” “ball,” “rope”) and ask your dog to “bring the ball” or “find fox.” Reward when they get it right!</p>
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<h2>📊 Game Comparison Table</h2>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Game</th>
<th>Type</th>
<th>Main Benefits</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Find It</td>
<td>Sniffing/search</td>
<td>Mental stimulation</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Muffin Tin Puzzle</td>
<td>Problem-solving</td>
<td>Focus + scent work</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Obstacle Course</td>
<td>Movement</td>
<td>Coordination</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>New Trick Training</td>
<td>Cognitive</td>
<td>Behavior shaping</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Tug with Rules</td>
<td>Physical + training</td>
<td>Impulse control</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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<h2>💬 What Owners Say</h2>
<blockquote>“We use the muffin tin and ‘find it’ game every morning—my dog is way more relaxed afterward.” – Hannah & Koda</blockquote>
<blockquote>“I didn’t think tug could be a ‘training game’ until we added ‘drop it’—now it’s structured and fun.” – Liam & Bear</blockquote>
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<h2>🎁 Woopf Tools to Boost Indoor Play</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://woopf.com/products/explorer-harness" target="_blank">Explorer Harness</a> – Great for obstacle course and trick work</li>
<li><a href="https://woopf.com/products/bungee-lead" target="_blank">Bungee Lead</a> – For tug control or quick backyard breaks</li>
<li><a href="https://woopf.com/products/explorer-dual-pocket-dispenser" target="_blank">Dual Pocket Treat Dispenser</a> – Reward new skills instantly</li>
</ul>
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<h2>👩⚕️ Want a Custom Game Plan?</h2>
<p>Send your dog’s energy level, breed, and behavior goals to <a href="https://askavet.com" target="_blank">Ask A Vet</a> and we’ll create a personalized boredom-busting play schedule just for you.</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
<p>Boredom is one of the top causes of behavior problems—but it’s also the easiest to fix. With a little creativity and these vet-approved games, you can give your dog the mental stimulation they crave—right at home.</p>
<p><a href="https://woopf.com/collections/frontpage" target="_blank">Explore Training & Enrichment Tools at Woopf →</a></p>
