If you have a dog with endless energy, you probably need to find ways to keep him active throughout the day. If you don’t, your dog may “invent” his own fun out of your shoes, books, furniture, or anything else that can possibly be chewed on. While a quick run or time in the dog park may help alleviate some of your dog’s energy, rainy weather limits your options dramatically. Fortunately, there a few things you can do indoors that may keep your dog mentally and physically in shape.
Dog bowling: If you have kids, dog bowling can be a great activity to involve them in too. First, gather as many empty two-liter plastic bottles as you can — these are the “pins.” Go into a long hallway where there’s enough room for your dog to run. Stand all the pins at the end of the room. Finally, grab a tennis ball and roll it toward the pins. If your dog likes to chase, he will probably go flying after the ball and knock over the pins. Set them back up and see who can get the most strikes.
Teach him a new trick: Dogs get more than physical exercise when they’re outside — they get mental exercise too. Working on training can be a great way to help keep them mentally active, even if they’re stuck inside. Whether you are teaching a puppy to sit, or just brushing up on some commands, if you push your dog’s abilities, they will probably get tired out pretty quickly.
Go outside: Dogs are waterproof, so don’t let a little rain scare you from taking them out. Whether it’s a quick walk along your normal route, or putting on some boots and for puddle jumping, they may have an amazing time splashing in the great outdoors; however, the time you spend cleaning them up after going outside may be less than amazing.
