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Dog Games – Keeping Your Pet Entertained on Rainy Days

While you may not have a home large enough to play a good game of fetch in, don’t let a rainy day affect your dog’s ability to get the exercise it needs! Happy dogs are those that get played with regularly. Walks in the park or a game of fetch with their favorite ball or stick are both great ways to keep both you and your pet active. Sometimes poor weather conditions can mean your dog misses out on this vital play and exercise time. While a day here and there missed due to weather may not be a big deal, winter snow storms or bouts of spring showers, followed by the sometimes oppressive heat of summer, can leave you and your pet in need of burning some energy! Most homes just aren’t large enough for an indoor game of fetch for a dog much larger than a cat! We’ve put together a great list of some fun, energy consuming games that you can play with your pet in the comfort of your own home. Practicing some of these, will ensure that your pet never gives you the ‘puppy eyes’ on a rainy day again!

Rainy Day Dog Games

  • The Great Treat Hunt – While your dog is out of the room, take a few treats and hid them about a large room or two. Invite them in and watch as they perform their ‘seek and destroy’ mission for snacks!
  • Blanket Obstacle Course – This requires you to clear out a decent sized space from furniture, but it can be super fun for both you and your pet (especially if you have children!). Use rolled up blankets or stacked pillows/cushions to create a series of hurdles for you and your pet to navigate! Hopping and zigzagging about a living room is great exercise!

Indoor games for your pet! 

  • Doggie Tag – If there’s at least two of your family member’s home, you each need to grab a pocket full of little treats and stand a short distance from each other. (The distance required depends on the size of your dog) One of you calls your pets name and then rewards him with a small treat once he comes to you, then the other calls and rewards the dog. Repeat this, each time putting more distance, objects, rooms, or even a second floor between the two of you so your dog has to race a little further for his treat each time!
  • Soccer Star! – This is one of our favorite dog games if you have a hall! Place a laundry basket on its side at the end of the hall. Take your dog to it and tell them to ‘stay’. Then, take a ball to the other end of the hall and lightly kick, or roll the ball toward the basket, trying to make a ‘goal’ will your dog makes a leap for the irresistible ball! Anyway you can utilize your creativity to interact with your dog in an active fashion on a day that finds you both pent up, is great!

Have your own unique game the two of you like to play together? Tell us about it! Is your dog not getting enough exercise because you just don’t have the time some days? Find a local dog walker or ‘Pet-Nanny‘in your area to pick up the slack! It might be called ‘pet sitting’, but sitting is far from what your furry friend will be doing!

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/aye_shamus/2929888687/”>aye_shamus</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>cc</a>