Enrichment · 5 min read · June 7, 2026

Indoor games for dogs on rainy days, 5 calm activities

Q: What indoor games can I play with my dog?

Great indoor games for dogs include sniff and search (hiding treats), the cup game, puzzle toys, towel roll enrichment and short training sessions. These use your dog's natural instincts and tire them out mentally without needing outdoor space.

Q: How do I keep my dog entertained on a rainy day?

On rainy days, rotate enrichment activities like snuffle mats, lick mats, treat puzzles and training games. Even a 5-minute sniff session or cup game can settle an overexcited dog for hours.

Q: Are indoor games enough exercise for a dog?

Mental stimulation through indoor games can be just as tiring as physical exercise, often more so. A 10-minute sniff-and-search or puzzle session can leave many dogs settled for the rest of the afternoon.

When the weather keeps you inside, these five calm indoor games keep tails wagging, no equipment needed, just five minutes and a willing pup. Each one uses sniffing, problem-solving and connection.

Anelda Bosch Light Paw Studio · June 7, 2026

Lana the golden retriever wrapped in a lavender blanket, 5 calm indoor games

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Some days a walk just isn't possible, it's raining, it's too hot, or life is simply busy. Those are the days I reach for our little collection of indoor games. Each one uses what dogs love most: sniffing, problem-solving and connection with you. No fancy equipment needed. Just a willing pup and five minutes.

Lana and Marshie both enjoying the snuffle mat together — Marshie invited himself. Naturally. ♡

Why calm games?

Reduces boredom & anxietyA mentally occupied dog is a calm, settled dog.

Mentally stimulates your dogUses their nose and brain, often more tiring than a walk.

Strengthens your bondTime spent playing together builds trust and connection.

Creates a more peaceful homeA dog who's had enrichment is easier to live with.

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The 5 calm games

Sniff & Search

Hide treats around the room or in a snuffle mat. Sniffing is deeply calming, often more tiring than a walk.

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Cup Game

A treat under one of three cups, shuffled slowly. Dogs nose the right one, great for focus and impulse control.

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Puzzle Toys

Sliders, spinners, compartments, keeps a dog busy and deeply focused. The enrichment equivalent of a long sniff walk.

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Towel Roll

Scatter treats on a towel, roll it up, hand it over. No equipment needed, just a willing pup and five minutes.

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Gentle Training

Short, positive sessions, 3 to 5 minutes. Strengthens your bond and gives their brain a real workout.

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Lana's rainy-day favourites

A few things we actually use and love for indoor enrichment days.

Puzzle toy

Interactive Treat Puzzle Enrichment Toy

A flip-lid puzzle board with multiple hidden compartments, dogs nose and paw open the covers to find the treats inside. Great for beginners and intermediate puzzlers alike.

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Puzzle toy

Puzzle Toy, Lick Mat & Slow Feeder

A 3-in-1 enrichment board, flip open compartments, slow-feed channels and lick mat textures all in one. Great value and keeps curious dogs occupied for much longer than a single toy.

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Enrichment toy

Enrichment Tube Toy

Three treat-filled tubes on a rotating stand, a beautiful upgrade on the classic cup game. Dogs nose and tip the tubes to release treats. Calm, focused and deeply satisfying.

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Enrichment toy

Snuffle Mat for Dogs

A foldable foraging mat that tucks away in seconds, scatter kibble or treats into the felt grass and let your dog sniff their way to calm. Great for the sniff & search game.

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Enrichment toy

Pet Snuffle Mat (Drawstring)

A foldable foraging mat with a drawstring that cinches it into a bowl shape, scatter kibble into the felt layers and let your dog sniff their way calm. Packs away in seconds.

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Interactive toy

Hide-A-Squirrel Toy

Squirrels hidden inside a plush tree trunk, dogs nose and paw them out one by one. A brilliant sniff-and-search toy that uses natural hunting instincts and keeps them focused and calm.

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Interactive toy

Hide & Seek Bunny Carrot Toy

Four squeaky bunnies hidden inside a plush carrot, dogs nose and paw them out one by one. A gentle sniff-and-search toy that's especially perfect if your house already has a real bunny. ♡

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Puzzle toy

Bob-A-Lot Treat Dispenser

A wobbling treat-dispensing toy with dual chambers and adjustable openings, dogs nose and paw it to release kibble. Hours of mental stimulation in one durable toy.

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Interactive Food-Dispensing Dog Puzzle Ball

Puzzle toy

Food-Dispensing Puzzle Ball

A simple rubber ball that dispenses treats as your dog rolls it around, no setup needed. Great for solo play and keeping a curious dog quietly occupied for longer.

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Puzzle toy

Interactive Treat Puzzle

A sliding compartment puzzle with a clear lid, dogs see the treats and have to work out how to slide and lift the pieces to reach them. Great for beginner and intermediate puzzlers.

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Puzzle toy

Dog Puzzle Spinner

A rotating treat puzzle with multiple compartments hidden under sliding and spinning pieces, dogs nose and paw their way to the kibble. Deeply satisfying for problem-solving pups.

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Puzzle feeder

Fun Feeder Slo Bowl

A maze-patterned slow feeder bowl that turns every mealtime into a gentle puzzle, dogs have to work through the ridges to reach their kibble. Slows eating and adds daily mental stimulation.

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Interactive toy

Interactive Octopus Toy

A soft plush squeaky octopus with multiple squeakers in every tentacle, great as a play reward during training sessions or for gentle solo play on quiet indoor days.

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Enrichment toy

Lick Mat for Dogs

BPA-free silicone lick mat with multiple textures, spread peanut butter, yogurt or wet food and let your dog lick their way to calm. Dishwasher and freezer safe.

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Enrichment toy

Treat Towel for Dogs

A dedicated treat towel made for the towel roll game, simply scrunch treats inside and let your dog nose and unroll their way to them. Soft, washable and perfect for puppies and gentle chewers.

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Treat prep

Dog Treat Molds

Silicone molds in paw, bone and dog face shapes, freeze yogurt, peanut butter or wet food into calm-down treats. Perfect to use with a lick mat on rainy indoor days.

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Treat prep

Paw & Bone Silicone Molds (3 pack)

Three molds in pink, purple and blue, paw prints and bone shapes. Great for making frozen training treats or enrichment toppers. Dishwasher safe and easy to pop out.

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Full collection

Shop the enrichment collection

All our indoor enrichment favourites in one curated Amazon list.

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Common questions

Good to know

What indoor games can I play with my dog?

Great indoor games include sniff and search, the cup game, puzzle toys, towel roll enrichment and short training sessions. These use your dog's natural instincts, sniffing, foraging and problem-solving. and are often more tiring than a walk.

How do I keep my dog entertained on a rainy day?

Rotate enrichment activities like snuffle mats, lick mats, treat puzzles and the five games above. Even a 5-minute sniff session can settle an overexcited dog for hours. Pick one or two based on your dog's mood and energy level.

Are indoor games enough exercise for a dog?

Mental stimulation is often just as tiring as physical exercise, sometimes more. A 10-minute sniff-and-search or puzzle session can leave many dogs settled for the rest of the afternoon. On days when a walk isn't possible, enrichment is the best substitute.

♡ A tip from Lana

You don't have to do all five in one day. Pick one or two that suit your dog's mood and energy level. On truly rainy, lazy days we usually do a sniff search followed by a lick mat loaded with a frozen treat, and Lana is perfectly settled for the rest of the afternoon.

If you try any of these with your dog, we'd love to see them. Tag @lana.thegoldenretriever on Instagram and show us your pup's best sniff-and-search face. ♡

Indoor games for dogs on rainy days, 5 calm activities

Why calm games?