Whether the weather has turned cold or rainy, or your dog just needs to be kept inside for a period of time, indoor games can offer an entertainment and enrichment alternative for your pup. We’ve compiled five great game options that can be easily played using common household items.

1. “Find the Treat”

What dog doesn’t enjoy scent work? For this game, you’ll need a variety of non-see through boxes or containers and your dog’s favorite treat (or kibble). Put the containers upside down in a row, and place the tasty item under one (without your dog seeing where you put it). Let your dog sniff the boxes, and encourage him or her to smell them. When he/she pauses and/or licks/paws the right one, lift up the box and offer praise and the treat to your pup. As your dog gets better at the game, consider adding more boxes/containers and space them out further to offer more of a challenge.

2. “Hide and Seek”

For this game, all you’ll need is a hiding place inside your room. Have your dog sit and stay in one room of your house. If your dog is not able to stay for a length of time, ask a housemate to keep them in the room while you hide. After you have found a spot in a different part of the house to hide, call your dog once. If they are having trouble finding you with just one call, call again. Reward your pup when they find you by offering lots of praise and pets.

3. “Wild Sits”

This is a great game to practice calming down. With your dog on a leash, get them as excited as possible by running, jumping, making funny noises, etc. Then, as they are getting riled up, tell them to sit. The first few times might be difficult for your dog, but they will quickly learn that going from being amped up to sitting patiently will result in lots of praise, treats, and pets.

4. “Under, Over, and Through”

For this game, you’ll need an object on legs such as a chair, stool, or a small table. Using treats (and a clicker, if you have one) teach your dog how to crawl under the object (and stay), crawl all the way through the object, and jump over the object. Once your dog knows the commands ‘Under’, ‘Over’, and ‘Through’, switch up the order in which you ask your dog to perform the different actions.

5. “Muffin Tin Game”

For this game, you’ll need a muffin tin (preferably one you don’t use for baking), several tennis balls, and tasty dog treats. Place one treat in each of the muffin cups and cover with the tennis balls. Let your dog sniff out and move the tennis balls to get the treats. Once this version of the game has become easy, only place treats in some of the cups, but still cover all of the cups with tennis balls.

Whatever reason you have for keeping your dog indoors, make sure that you offer games like these to keep them happy and entertained. Your dog will thank you!