It’s raining, it’s pouring, Max and Luna aren’t snoring — they wanna have some fun! While some dogs enjoy spending rainy days curled up on the couch with their favorite soft toy, there are plenty of other dogs who are bouncing off the walls (literally) ready to play on a rainy day. The good news is there are lots of fun activities that both you and your dog can enjoy.
How to Entertain Your Dog on Rainy Days
If you’re wondering what to do with dogs on a rainy day, wonder no more. We’ve listed some exciting indoor activities for dogs to do when they’re stuck inside — but rainy days don’t have to mean that you can’t go outside at all. Going to pup-friendly indoor places gets you out of the house while still staying dry. You could grab a bite to eat at a pet-friendly cafe or schedule a playdate with your pup’s BFF (best furry friend). We’ve also listed some outdoor ideas for active dogs who love playing in the rain and aren’t afraid to get a little (or very) wet or muddy.
Indoor Games for Dogs (and You!)
As well as keeping your furry friend entertained, indoor games provide your dog with mental and physical stimulation, which can help them stay out of trouble. To keep your dog active, you can build them an indoor agility course out of random objects you have around your house (e.g., cardboard boxes, brooms, hoops, pillows). An indoor obstacle course is a great game to get your dog’s brain going as they try to navigate through the course. If they love doing agility exercises, you could also build a backyard agility course for when the weather’s nice.
Until they get the hang of it, you may need to lead your dog through the indoor agility course with a few treats or their favorite toy from the toy box. Or you could do the obstacle course while your dog watches to show them how it’s done! You’re entertained and so is your dog — it’s a win-win!
Indoor fetch (with something soft) will get your dog moving, too. Just make sure you’re playing in an area that won’t damage your house (or your dog) if things get a little wild. Chasing bubbles is another great way to keep your dog active indoors. Just make sure they’re dog-safe before you blow bubbles for your dog to chase and wonder, “I had it in my mouth! Where did that sneaky bubble go?”
Puzzle Toys Are a Fun Game
Hiding treats or toys in puzzle games can entertain your dog, and they’re mentally stimulating, too. You can even make your own puzzle by hiding a treat in a muffin tin with tennis balls on top. Your dog will have to use their nose (and brain) to sniff out the treat from underneath the tennis balls.
For your average canine, puzzle toys that only require one step to be completed to dispense the treat or toy may be good enough. But if you have a brainiac who needs more of a challenge, you can try a puzzle toy that requires two steps to be activated before they’re rewarded. If you haven’t used a puzzle toy before, check out these tips on introducing your dog to food puzzles.
Tug of War Is Always a Favorite
Whether they’re playing against their pet parent or another dog, most dogs love a game of good old tug of war. It’s a fun way to release pent-up energy, and it’s both physically and mentally tiring. Just remember that you should always be in control of tug of war games — deciding when to stop or start the game — but you should also let your dog win and allow them to celebrate their “prize” to satisfy their prey urges.
Create a Scavenger Hunt or Play Hide and Seek
Does your dog enjoy finding things? Try creating a scavenger hunt or playing hide-and-seek. They’re basically the same game — in one your dog is trying to find yummy treats or toys and in the other they’re finding you! You may have to teach your dog what they’re supposed to do, but dogs who love tracking down interesting scents (or you) will soon catch on.
Outdoor Rainy Day Dog Activities
If you have an active dog who is an outdoor-loving ball of energy, you don’t have to try to contain that energy indoors. Why not hike a trail or find some muddy puddles to jump in? Yes, both of you may get wet and dirty, but that’s part of the fun! Of course, we don’t recommend going outside in inclement weather, especially if there’s lightning or if it’s freezing cold, but if it’s just a simple rain shower, why not?
If you’d rather not get sooo wet and muddy, you could both put on some rain gear to help keep you dry. Yes, there are raincoats for dogs! Part of your rainy adventure could be going to the pet store to buy your dog a raincoat and then testing it out.
How to Get Those Muddy Paws Clean
If your dog goes outside on a rainy day, even if it’s just to go potty, it’s highly likely that you’re going to be met at the door by muddy or wet paws. And if your dog enjoyed a good mud-rolling session, you might be having trouble telling what color your dog’s coat used to be. How do you get your dog clean before they decide to redecorate the inside of your home in an earthy brown color?
First, get the bulk of the mud off with some old towels. If it’s just on their paws, you could use dog wipes or baby wipes. If you see more mud than dog and have a place in your home where you can keep a muddy dog temporarily, one of the best ways to remove mud from your dog’s fur is to let it dry. Dry mud is easier and less messy to comb or brush out — or your dog may shake off the dry dirt themselves.
Sometimes the mud mess calls for a bath. You can try giving your dog an at-home grooming session. Or you can save the bathroom cleanup and take your dog to a self-service dog wash — stopping by on your way home from your outdoor rainy day adventure would be a good idea!
Rainy Days Don’t Have to Be Boring!
Next time it’s pouring rain and your dog’s staring forlornly out the window, try some of these activities. It’ll help both of you stay entertained and keep away those rainy day blues.
The information in this blog has been developed with our veterinarian and is designed to help educate pet parents. If you have questions or concerns about your pet's health or nutrition, please talk with your veterinarian.
