Best Indoor Games for Dogs on Rainy Days
I can’t tell you how many times I used to dread rainy days. My dog would be bouncing off the walls because we couldn’t get out for our usual walk — and by the afternoon, she’d be barking, chewing things, and just driving me nuts! That’s when I realized I needed some good indoor games to keep her busy — and that’s how I found the perfect solution in brain training.
In this post, I’m going to share the best indoor games for dogs on rainy days — and exactly what worked for me and my pup. If you want a full step-by-step program that’s packed with easy, fun indoor games, here’s my personal link:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Table of Contents
Why Indoor Games Matter
When your dog doesn’t get enough mental stimulation, they’ll often turn that extra energy into unwanted behaviors:
- Barking
- Chewing
- Pacing or whining
- Hyperactivity
- Restlessness
What I found is that mental games can wear my dog out even more than a walk — and the best part is, you can do them right in your living room!
My Favorite Indoor Games
1. Scent Games
One of the easiest things I do is hide treats around the house or use a snuffle mat. My dog LOVES using her nose, and this keeps her busy and satisfied.
2. Puzzle Toys
I feed her meals through puzzle feeders or Kong toys. It turns eating into a fun brain challenge.
3. Trick Training
Rainy days are perfect for working on new tricks — even just 5–10 minutes helps give her brain a workout.
4. “Find It” Game
I teach my dog to search for a favorite toy that I hide — a great way to burn mental energy indoors.
5. Brain Games from the Program
This is the program that gave me tons of great ideas:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
The Results
Since adding these games:
- My dog is calm on rainy days — no more pacing or whining
- Barking and chewing have decreased
- She settles better after mental work
- We both enjoy the time together
- I don’t stress about missed walks
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been struggling with a restless dog on rainy days, don’t worry — just add a few simple indoor brain games to your routine and watch the difference.
This is the exact program I used:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Trust me — you’ll love how happy and calm your dog can be, even when the weather keeps you inside!
Before I started using indoor brain games, rainy days were stressful for both of us. My dog would be so restless, and I’d feel guilty that we couldn’t get outside. But once I added these simple games, rainy days actually became something we both enjoyed.
I also noticed that the more I used these mental stimulation activities, the more relaxed my dog became overall — not just on rainy days. She learned to settle and entertain herself in healthier ways.
Another great thing? These games don’t require a ton of space. I live in a small apartment, and all of them worked perfectly in my living room.
If you’re not sure how to get started, this is the program that gave me everything I needed:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
I also love that these games build focus and patience. After a good session, my dog is more attentive, better at impulse control, and less likely to act out when she’s excited.
And because the games are fun and positive, they also help strengthen our bond. Training becomes something we both look forward to — instead of just another chore.
One of my favorite tips is to rotate different games. I’ll use scent games in the morning, puzzle feeders for meals, and trick training in the afternoon — it keeps things fresh and exciting.
Even on days when I can’t do much else, just 10–15 minutes of brain work makes a huge difference in my dog’s mood and energy levels.
I also noticed that these games helped reduce separation anxiety. When my dog’s brain is satisfied, she’s calmer when I leave the house — even if it’s been a rainy day with no outdoor walks.
Another thing I love is that these activities are great for dogs of all ages. My friend used this program with her senior dog and saw huge improvements in focus and confidence.
And for puppies? It’s one of the BEST ways to burn off that extra energy and teach good behavior from the start.
If you’re tired of dealing with a hyper or bored dog on rainy days, this program will show you exactly what to do:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out
Now, even when the weather keeps us inside, my dog stays happy, calm, and well-behaved — and yours can too!
Another benefit I noticed is that once we got into the habit of playing these indoor brain games, my dog actually became more settled even on days when the weather was nice. Her overall behavior and ability to relax improved so much.
If your dog tends to get bored easily or is a little on the mischievous side when stuck indoors, these games are the perfect solution. This is the exact program that gave me all the ideas:
Brain Training for Dogs — Full Program Here
The great thing is you don’t need expensive equipment — most of these games use items you already have at home or simple puzzle toys.
And if your dog gets excited when it’s time for a walk, doing a quick brain workout beforehand can help them start the outing in a calmer, more focused state — even if the walk ends up being short because of rain.
It really doesn’t take long — 10 to 20 minutes of the right mental work makes a bigger difference than I ever expected.
If you’re ready to make rainy days more peaceful (and fun!) for you and your dog, this is exactly where I’d start:
Brain Training for Dogs — Click here to check it out