1 – Hide and Go Treat:

Combining snack time, some exercise, and brain stimulation? Yes please… and a good game of Hide and Go Treat brings all those to the yard… well living room.  The idea is pretty simple, easy to set up, and play.

• prepare a dozen “treat packs.” Make these extra special, decent in size, and from things that give of a strong smell (we suggest natural peanut butter, cheese, bits of lean turkey stuffed in treat holder or hid in a piece of apple, wrapped in a bread, or on top of a cracker.
• take your dog out of the room (they don’t get to peek or the game isn’t a challenge)
• plant a 1/3rd or half of your treats in hiding places all over the living room
• “RELEASE THE HOUND!” and let them use their super sniffer to find their treats. Don’t try to stump them, or beat them at the game. Make sure to help them find the first few treats, if they aren’t catching on… AND CELEBRATE every time they find one. That positive reinforcement and fun will urge them to find more.

Once they’ve found all the treats from round one… switch and let them hide treats for you! Na, just kidding… the game is all about them, and the only place you’d find hidden treats for you would be in their stomach.

2 – Blow Their Minds with Bubbles:

Dog dig bubbles. After all they are little floating balls in the sky that just “appear” from nowhere. The only thing more surprising than that is when you come home from work and they are shocked and happy to see you, EVERY TIME! Bubbles are cool because they cost next to nothing, and you can expand on the fun if you want to invest. They make bubble machines for kids that you could setup to fire off a steady stream of the “Orbs of Mystery” that float down and disappear. Bubble Time is definitely also camera and social media posting time.

We will warn you to keep the bubble solution away from the dog, as the store bought bubble solution is mildly toxic and can burn your dogs mouth and gums if digested. The bubbles themselves are harmless, as they “pop” before the dog can eat them.  You can make a homemade, non-toxic, bubble solution, but it still could make your dog mildly sick if they ingest it.

3 – Make a Groom Room:

Use those rainy days to create an in home Dog Spa Day. Nail trims, ear cleanings, brush outs, teeth brushing, trimming skirts/feathers/chests/excessive ear growth. Make it all about pampering your best friend. Be sure you have the grooming tools, towels, dental supplies, and smelly goods to do it up right.

Go slow in the beginning if your dog does not like their feet, teeth or ears fussed with. If you praise, treat, laugh, and enjoy the time with them… the scary goes away and they start to connect spa day as part of their play time.

4 – Dead Toy Parade:

Today’s dogs have toy boxes, piles, groupings, or storage bins for their collection of squeaky toys, ropes, noodles, socks, shoes, and anything else they hold valuable for play time. Use a rainy day to have a meeting of the minds with your dog, and clean out all the “dead toys” with visible stuffing, missing squeakers, jagged plastic pieces, hanging threads, or that are so “dead” that they can’t be played with any longer.  It’s a great time to weed out all the half eaten dental chews, or other snack hoarding you find.

Involve your dog in what’s happening, after all you are taking their possessions. Let them sniff, inspect, and watch you toss out the old toys. Be sure to have a new supply of fun and challenging toys to take the place of the Dead Soldiers you are removing.  Once “the fallen” are removed and new toys set in their place, then unleash the fun with your dog. New toys, same old games they love. Dead Toy Parade is not a sad time, the old toys have given their lives for your pet’s pleasure and need to be given a proper exit from the home (trash bags are the new coffins for toys.)

5 – See, Say and Snack:

It’s easy to give cheesy snacks, biscuits or other fun treats to your dog for no reason… but what if you took an hour or so to increase their vocabulary of words and phrase WHILE they get treats? There are ZERO dogs that aren’t going to play along with this learning game. Keep your choice of words or phrases simple and unique. If your dogs name is “Shep” then using any new words with the “SH” sound will be confusing to them and hard to learn.  Keep it brief, as well. “DOWN” instead of “SIT DOWN” and “COME” instead of “COME OVER HEAR.” Also, this is fun… so no frustration, scolding, or negativity. The more pure, simple, and easy the words are, the faster they will retain.  Your fur buddy will LOVE to see you happy as they succeed, and they will enjoy the extra attention and treats. This is a learning lesson that will benefit both of you, so don’t treat it as just passing time. Learning is not only FUNdamental, it’s also a trEAT for your dog to be a part of.

6 – Fetch and/or Tug-o-War:

Two outdoor games that you can bring to the non-rainy indoors, nothing changes except for the venue of fun. Make sure you have a sturdy, knotted rope, and some appropriately sized tennis balls (or a new squeaky toy or two from the dogs personal collection). Take the time to make your space “play friendly” by uncluttering the area of extra furniture, cords, and breakable stuff that could be knocked around and ruined.  Make yourself available by getting on the floor so you can play “down like a hound” at their level. Don’t be afraid to toss in a little wrestling, “keep-away”, or other side games that build direct connection and ramp up the fun.  This activity will likely be followed by a good nap… for the dog, too!

7 – Pet Store Window Shopping:

Load up the dog in the Family Truckster and take them on a shopping date at your local pet store.  Where else can they pee, poop, get into things, and walk (or ride in a shopping cart) till they drop?  You don’t have to buy a thing, your dog might see a buddy there, make a new friend, and they are almost guaranteed to get a treat from the pet store staff on the way out the door. People window shopping should be so fun and interactive! In the rare chance (rare being EVERY TIME) you were to see some toy, treat, clothing item that your dog can’t live without… or you need to pick up training pads, food, or a new collar, you’re in the right place to enjoy perusing the isle with your pampered pet.

Do be mindful to clean up after your dog. It’s not fair to expect pet store employees to do poop & pee patrol for you. They will have clean up stations all over the store, as you’re not the first pet parent to take a road trip to the Pet Store on a rainy day.

8) Just Relax, Jack:

Rainy days are gloomy and heavy, it’s natural to feel tired and down. Use this time to bond with your dog by watching TV, sharing snacks, and napping together. There’s no better nappy time buddy than your dog, so take advantage of their body warmth, and the feeling of joy and love they exude just because you’re home and spending time with them. There is no one easier to please in your house, your dog just wants to hang out with you. Doing nothing is what they like best, so you’re winning by snoozing.