11 Indoor Activities For Dogs If You Can't Get Outside

Alex Johnson, senior designer & pet enrichment specialist at Purina, suggests buying a tug toy to help your dog get rid of some excess energy. Playing tug can also be a great way to train dogs, teach them self control, and prevent or redirect an "inappropriate use of teeth," according to Whole Dog Journal.

Veterinarian Julie Taylor tells Woman's Day that tug is also a great game for large dogs in small spaces.

Taylor recommends playing "hide the treat," or another scenting game, with small and medium dogs who don't need as much space to roam. Start out by letting them see where you hide the treat. After that, hide the treat in another room and then let them search for it. Make sure you use very scented treats.

You can usually play fetch safely with small and medium-sized dogs inside, depending on the size of your home. But with large dogs, that might be a lot harder. Johnson of Purina recommends throwing toys up and down the steps of your home or hallways of your home or apartment building, assuming your landlord permits it and no one is using those areas. "You could even set up a schedule with neighbors to alternate times for pets to play in the hallways or in the basement/garage," she says.

An obstacle course is great for people who have limited space but who want to thoroughly exercise their dogs, Taylor says. Use pillows, furniture, a staircase in your home (if you have one), laundry hampers, boxes with both ends open, and blankets to create jumps, tunnels, and small forts for your dog to explore. You'll have to train them with treats or other positive reinforcement so they know how to use it, which will be fun for both them and you.

Johnson recommends keeping a basket of toys near the couch so you can play even while you're catching up on the latest season of your favorite show.

Could your dog have better manners? Consider using an online dog training course to teach them to be more obedient or help them learn a couple of new tricks.

There are even online fitness classes for dogs.

Train your dog to pick up their own toys. It might seem possible, but there are dozens of videos and how-tos to help you do it. That will leave one less chore for you every day.

Dogs need mental stimulation just as much as they need physical exercise. Interactive food puzzles reward your dog's natural drive to hunt and work for their food. They're great for teething puppies, dogs who eat too fast or are picky eaters, and they give you a break if you need to finish a task, according to Preventive Vet. Here's a list of interactive puzzle games, which includes how to teach your dog to use them, and how to make them yourself if you want to save some money.

If you have a treadmill, Preventive Vet recommends swapping out your daily walk around the block with a 20-30 minute walk with your dog on the treadmill. You might have to coax them with treats at first and keep them on a leash. If you're feeling really ambitious you can teach them to use the treadmill without you — but you should always supervise them while they're on it.

If you are home a lot, or if you have kids, your dog might want some me time. Gather blankets or your dog's bed and some of their toys to put in a section of the house where they can still see you but where they can have some time to themselves if they want. Johnson recommends pretending they're invisible when they're in that space.

"Eventually, if the rule is followed, the dog or cat will know they will be left alone when in these zones," she says.

Take out three cups and a small ball or a treat. Let your dog watch you hide the treat or ball under one of the cups and then shuffle them. The game helps them work on their problem-solving skills, according to Puppy Leaks.