Try one of these DIY enrichment activities next time you’re stuck inside with your dog due to bad weather? It can be a challenge to keep your dog entertained and exercised when you can’t go outside. Recently I found some great enrichment activities to do on days when it’s too cold to go for a walk in Wisconsin. I often wonder what to do with my dog, Capri, and how to help her burn off her energy. However, these enrichment activities listed below have worked exceptionally well for my dog. In fact, Capri gets just as tired from these activities as she would from a walk outside. 

As a new dog owner, I was not aware that sniffing for ten minutes is equivalent to a 45-minute walk. I learned about this from my sister-in-law, who suggested some dog enrichment ideas to me when I was complaining about not being able to take Capri for a walk. I started doing these DYI ideas with Capri when she was a puppy and still do them with her 2+ years later. You may have seen these indoor DIY enrichment activities on TikTok or Instagram, but here is my own take on them. 

DIY- Treat Towel or Blanket Roll

This is my favorite homemade activity for my dog. It’s amazing how much she loves it! When I take the towel out of the closet, she knows she’s getting her food or treats.  Capri takes around 25 minutes to finish her meal using this DIY method. All you need is your dog’s food or treats and a towel/ blanket.

How To Make The Towel

Tips

• Always supervise your dog when they do this activity.
• Use an old towel/blanket that you don’t need anymore. Some towels are easier to rip than others.
• Tie 1-2 knots in the towel, depending on how long it is. When your dog starts to rip the towel, loosen the knots.
• As a bonus, make your dog find the towel in the house every time they get one. This helps them to work for their rewards.

DIY Sniff Box Enrichment Activity

I picked up this clever DIY tip during puppy class, but I’ve taken it up a notch. I invested in multiple treat-dispensing toys for Capri to keep her engaged while I’m at work.

Now, I use these toys to feed her when she needs to get rid of some extra energy. Instead of simply placing her food in a bowl, I hide it among her toys, turning mealtime into a fun and stimulating game of search and find.

I’ve taken it up a notch by stuffing some of her food into the treat-dispensing toys. This extra challenge requires Capri to push the toys around the house to retrieve her meal, making mealtimes even more thrilling for her.

As a result, meal times now last significantly longer than when her food was served in a bowl. This setup allows me to leave the house without worry, as I’m confident the toys are sturdy and indestructible compared to the DIY towel activity, which demands more supervision.

How Long Did It Take Capri To Complete The Sniff Box Enrichment Activity?

As I write this blog post, I decided to capture Capri in action with this activity. To my surprise, she remained engaged for an impressive 28 minutes straight! Even after encountering some difficulty retrieving the food from her toys, she persisted and eventually resumed playing with them. In total, I estimate she stayed occupied for about 50 minutes, with occasional breaks.

Even after completing the activity, she continued to return to the box, driven by her curiosity and scent for more food. Although I usually set up this activity and leave the house, this time, I stayed to observe her. I must say, I highly recommend this activity if you need your dog to stay entertained for an extended period. It provides stimulation for both her nose and her brain.

You can find all of the indestructible toys seen in this video here Capri’s Top Picks.

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Tumble Treat

The Tumble Treat is an easy and aesthetic indoor idea for puppy owners. This indestructible toy is a perfect solution for those who want to keep their furry friend entertained. But not as long as the DIY ideas above. You can add treats or food in it and it’s a perfect way to keep your pet active and happy.

I received this toy as a gift from my family when they learned I was getting a dog, and it quickly became Capri’s favorite. She absolutely loves the treat dispensing feature but, as a new pet owner, I found the sound the plastic ball made when it hit the cabinets and walls was too loud for my liking.  So I normally only gave it to her when I left the house, she goes CRAZY for this ball. However, this minor inconvenience wasn’t going to stop me from letting Capri have a wonderful time chasing it. 

I also found this tumble treat toy is a great way to prevent separation anxiety in your pet as it keeps them engaged while you’re away. Or that’s why I think Capri doesn’t have separation anxiety. When she was a puppy I always left this ball for her to play with along with some other indestructible treat toys.  

Continue Reading: Meal Times Boring? Try These Enrichment Feeding Puzzles

Treat Dispensing Chew Ball 

I came across this amazing treat dispensing chew ball that is similar to the plastic one above but doesn’t make much noise. Capri loves playing with this ball just as much. It’s a bit smaller in size, but she can pick it up and throw it on the ground to help get the treats out. You can customize the size of the hole depending on your dog’s skill level and treat size. I always make a fun game out of this ball by hiding it somewhere in the house and letting Capri find it. If I want her to get more energy out I play fetch with it on my stairs because the incline makes her more tired. (Please, use caution with this) 

While I was on vacation my cousin took care of Capri while I was away. I sent this ball with Capri and my cousin’s dog enjoyed playing with it so much that they ended up buying two of them for their dogs! The price for this treat dispensing chew ball is around $7.50 from Amazon. Pricing can change at any time but that’s what I got it for. 

Keep Reading: Benefits of using Puzzle Feeders, 7 Top Dog Recovery Suits For Post- Surgery

Training Exercises

If you’re a new dog owner, training your puppy can be a bit daunting. However, it’s important to remember that training is mentally stimulating for your furry friend. Remember a tired puppy is a good puppy. Training exercises can help your puppy burn off energy and increase obedience. Spending just 5 minutes, three times a day working on obedience commands like “sit,” “down,” and “leave it” can help your dog become more obedient and well-behaved. You could even try teaching your dog some hand signals to help them understand your commands better. Just make sure you have some high-value treats to keep your dog engaged.

If you’re not sure how to train your dog, consider taking a puppy training class to learn the basics then practice them A LOT when you are home. This will make sure you have a tired dog after training with them throughout the day. You’ll be amazed at how quickly your dog can learn new things!

Dog-Friendly Stores are Perfect for Enrichment Activities!

If you are willing to brave the weather outside and want to work on dog training exercises, here’s a training tip, take them to a pet-friendly store. Going to stores is a great way to practices training exercises and its great to get them out and sniffing new smells. Please always call ahead of time to make sure the store at your location allows dogs. 

Stores That Allow Dogs

• Petco
• Home Depot
• Lowes
• Fleet Farm
• Tractor Supply Co. 
• Nordstrom 
• Bass Pro Shops
• Barnes & Noble
• Cabela’s 
• Pet Smart
• Hobby Lobby
• HomeGoods
• Home Sense
• TJ Max
• Marshall’s 
• Michaels 
• JOANN Fabrics 
• L.L Bean
• Pet Supplies Plus

I hope these DIY enrichment ideas and indestructible toys have been helpful to you and your dog. By trying these activities, you can keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated even when the weather is bad outside. Remember to always supervise your dog, especially when doing any of the DIY activities. 

I recommend always using a puzzle feeder for your dog. Its a great way to get them to slow down eating and its mentally simulating. Read Benefits Of Slow Feeding Your Dog for more information and to see what puzzle feeder to use for Capri. You can find all of Capri’s favorite toys and supplies at Capri’s Top Picks. Make sure you like and subscribe for more dog enrichment activities and information!

Have you tried any of these activities with your dog before? If not I’d love to hear back what you thought about it! Subscribe below to see more DIY enrichment activities to try with your dog!

-Cara & Capri