10 Ways to Tire Your Dog Out Indoors (When You Can’t Walk Them)
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Some days walking your dog just isn’t possible.
Maybe it’s too hot outside, pouring rain, or life has simply gotten busy.
But your dog still has energy to burn.
Instead, they’re pacing around the house, bringing you toys, staring at you, or getting the evening zoomies around the couch.
Our golden retriever Lenny is exactly like this. If he misses his walk because the weather is too hot or it’s raining all day, he becomes noticeably restless and a bit sulky by the evening.
The good news is that dogs don’t always need a walk to burn energy.
With the right mix of mental stimulation, indoor games and natural enrichment, you can still help your dog settle and relax at home.
Here are 10 simple ways to tire your dog out indoors.
Why Mental Stimulation Tires Dogs Out Faster
Dogs don’t just need physical exercise.
They also need to:
- sniff
- problem solve
- chew
- learn new things
Activities that engage your dog’s brain often tire them out much faster than exercise alone.
That’s why combining games, training and chewing enrichment is one of the best ways to help dogs settle when they can’t go for a walk.
1. Hide and Seek
Hide and seek is one of the best indoor games for dogs.
We play this with Lenny all the time.
How to play:
- Ask your dog to sit or stay
- Hide somewhere in the house
- Call your dog to come find you
When they find you, give lots of praise.
You can also hide:
- toys
- treats
- family members
Dogs love this game because it taps into their natural tracking instincts.
2. Play “Find It” (Scent Work)
Dogs experience the world through their nose.
Scent games are mentally exhausting for them.
Try this simple activity:
- Ask your dog to sit or stay
- Hide treats around the room
- Release them with “Find it!”
As your dog improves, make it harder:
- hide treats in other rooms
- hide multiple treats
- hide toys instead
Just 5–10 minutes of scent work can leave many dogs tired.
3. Short Training Sessions
Training is one of the best mental workouts for dogs.
Try practising commands like:
- sit
- down
- stay
- spin
- paw
- recall
Keep sessions short (around 5 minutes) so your dog stays focused.
Learning and problem solving burns a lot of brain energy.
4. Turn Mealtime into a Game
Instead of feeding your dog from a bowl, make them work for their food.
Try:
- scattering kibble around the room
- hiding food around the house
- using puzzle feeders
This taps into your dog’s natural foraging instincts.
Many dogs finish these games mentally satisfied and ready to rest.
5. Tug of War
Tug of war is a great indoor activity.
It requires:
- very little space
- strong engagement
- physical effort
Tips for safe play:
- use a dedicated tug toy
- teach a “drop it” command
- play in short bursts
Even a few rounds can burn a surprising amount of energy.
6. Indoor Fetch
Fetch doesn’t always need to happen outside.
If you have a hallway or open room, try using:
- soft toys
- plush balls
- lightweight toys
Avoid hard balls that could damage furniture.
Short bursts of fetch can help burn energy quickly.
7. Create an Indoor Obstacle Course
You don’t need expensive agility equipment.
Use items around the house like:
- pillows
- chairs
- broomsticks
- boxes
Guide your dog through the course by:
- jumping over objects
- crawling under furniture
- weaving around obstacles
This combines exercise and mental focus.
8. Rotate Your Dog’s Toys
Dogs can get bored with toys they see every day.
Instead:
- store some toys away
- rotate them every few days
Suddenly old toys feel new and exciting again.
This simple trick keeps dogs interested longer.
9. Puzzle Toys and Brain Games
Puzzle toys challenge dogs to solve problems to get food.
Examples include:
- treat dispensing toys
- snuffle mats
- lick mats
- slow feeders
These activities encourage dogs to think and can keep them occupied longer than normal feeding.
10. Give Your Dog Something to Chew
Chewing is one of the most natural calming behaviours for dogs.
It helps dogs:
- relieve boredom
- release calming hormones
- reduce destructive behaviour
- settle down naturally
Many dog parents find that giving their dog a long-lasting chew in the evening helps them relax when they haven’t had a walk.
Even 20–30 minutes of chewing can leave a dog calm and satisfied.
Indoor Games for High Energy Dogs
If you have a particularly energetic dog, try activities that burn more energy quickly.
These include:
- stairs (running up and down safely)
- tug of war
- scent games
- indoor fetch
Combining these activities with mental stimulation is often the most effective way to tire dogs out indoors.
How to Tire Out a Puppy Indoors
Puppies have lots of energy but shorter attention spans.
Good indoor activities for puppies include:
- short training sessions
- gentle fetch
- scent games
- puzzle toys
- chewing enrichment for teething
Keep activities short and fun, with plenty of rest breaks.
A Simple Routine to Tire Your Dog Out Indoors
If your dog becomes restless in the evening, try this routine:
- 5 minutes training
- Practise a few commands.
- 5–10 minutes scent games
- Play “Find it” around the house.
- Chewing enrichment
- Give your dog a long-lasting chew while they relax.
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This combination of brain work, play and chewing helps many dogs settle quickly.
Natural Chews That Help Keep Dogs Occupied
Long-lasting natural chews can be a great way to keep dogs busy at home.
Chews that encourage dogs to gnaw slowly provide enrichment while also supporting dental health.
The Roo Teeth Cleanser or Roo Femur from Lenny’s Pup Shop are designed to provide long-lasting chewing enrichment while also helping support healthy teeth.
These types of chews are often used as part of a daily routine to help dogs settle and relax indoors.
Final Thoughts
Not being able to walk your dog doesn’t have to mean a restless evening.
By combining:
- indoor games
- scent work
- training
- puzzle toys
- chewing enrichment
you can still help your dog burn energy and relax at home.
And sometimes, these activities can be just as effective as a walk.
FAQ
How can I tire my dog out indoors?
The best ways to tire a dog out indoors include scent games, hide and seek, training sessions, tug of war, puzzle toys and chewing enrichment.
What activities tire dogs out the most?
Mental stimulation activities like scent games, training and long lasting chews often tire dogs faster than physical exercise alone.
How long should dogs chew for enrichment?
Many dogs’ benefit from 20–30 minutes of supervised chewing, which helps release calming hormones and reduces boredom.
Can mental stimulation replace a walk for dogs?
Mental stimulation cannot fully replace daily walks, but activities like scent work, training and chewing can still help tire dogs out when walks aren’t possible or in addition to their daily walk if they still struggle to settle.
