Keeping dogs busy on wet days

Posted on 11 April, 2023

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‘March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers.’

This popular proverb was first recorded in 1886 (but with parts dating back to 1610)[i]. Whilst April isn’t the wettest month of the year in the UK, it is a transition month, which is why short sharp rain showers are often associated with this month.

For people with dogs, and of course our homesitters who look after dogs for our clients, April is an unpredictable month for walking. One minute it’s warm and sunny, the next it’s cold and rainy. Most dogs don’t mind a bit of rain and are still eager to head out on their daily walks, but if rain showers look like they might last all day, it can be preferable to keep them entertained indoors.

Keeping dogs mentally stimulated is as important as physical exercise, and it helps to stop them getting bored and stay calm. The charity, Battersea Dogs & Cats[ii] says brain games are beneficial for every dog, but they are particularly important if those who have a dog who can’t do as much physical exercise, for example if the dog is a little older or is recovering from an operation. And of course if a day of rain puts paid to a walk!

As most dogs are motivated by food, games that involve food are great way to keep them mentally stimulated on a wet April day, and there are plenty of games that can stop your pooch from getting bored whether using food or a ball as a reward. Here are just a few ideas to keep them happy and busy indoors:

Scatter feeding

Instead of using a bowl try scattering some dog biscuits on the floor, perhaps making a trail for dogs to follow. Battersea Dogs Homes says this encourages dogs to search for their food and helps encourage their natural foraging behaviours.

Puzzle feeders

There are lots of puzzle feeders on the market that are useful for very greedy dogs who need to slow down their eating and which are great for mental development too. For homesitters who may not have access to a puzzle feeder, the American Kennel Club[iii] suggests a homemade version! They suggest laying a towel flat on the floor and placing some treats in the centre. Next fold the towel lengthways across the treats. Then tie the towel in a loose knot so the treats are in the middle. The dog will have to figure out how to untie the tea towel to get at the treats inside. It’s easy to make, but not easy for dogs to undo!

Name the dog’s toys and play fetch

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A fun game can be to pick four of the dog’s toys and give them names. These should be short, sharp names that the dog can easily pick out the sounds such as ‘chicken’ or ‘bob’. Put them in a line and pick up the first one, put in front of the dog and let them sniff whilst repeating the name. Then put the toy back in the line. Ask the dog to fetch the toy by saying “fetch chicken (or bob)” and see what happens. If the dog picks it up first time, great, give them a treat straightaway.

Most dogs will take a few goes, so just keep trying. As soon as they pick up the right toy reward them. This can be repeated over several days and slowly naming all the toys and asking them to fetch each one. It may take some time, but many dogs learn quickly and it’s a fun way to keep them busy!

Hide and seek

If there is someone else in the house, why not play a game of hide and seek with the dog? Someone goes into a different room of the house and the dog is asked to find them. Always give them a reward when they find the other person.

Tug of war games

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Dogs love to play a tug of war game, and many will have rope toys designed to do this. Remember not pull too hard and make it lots of fun. Always be mindful that this must be done in a controlled way, soask the dog to let go now and then to establish this if necessary. Treats are a great way for stopping play for a few seconds and rewarding them for letting go.

Practice simple training commands

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Most dogs know sit, stay, lie, paw and come. For dog owners these should away be practiced on a regular basis so that they don’t forget. For homesitters check at the preliminary meeting what training commands the dog knows. Practising these on a rainy day can be a good way to keep the dog busy and active indoors. Remember to reward the dog as soon as they perform the action so they know instantly that they have it right.

These are just a few easy ways to keep dogs entertained on a rainy day. Most will only want to play for a few minutes here and there, but go at their pace and stop if they lose interest.

[i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_shower

[ii] www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/dog-advice/search-dog-advice/brain-games-dogs

[iii] www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/do-it-yourself-cognitive-dog-toys-for-home

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