15 Fun Things to Do with Your Puppy at Home

Are you looking for fun and engaging ways to bond with your new puppy while keeping them entertained indoors? Look no further!

This article is filled with 15 incredible activities that not only provide endless entertainment for your furry friend but also promote a healthy and well-rounded lifestyle. Say goodbye to boredom and hello to endless indoor adventures with these fun things to do with your puppy at home!

15 Fun Thins To Do With Your Puppy at Home!

Having a new puppy is one of the most exciting and fun times. I remember when my Springer Spaniel first came home at 10 weeks old – we were so overjoyed but also a little overwhelmed. It can be tough to know where to start and how to keep them busy when they can’t go out yet because they haven’t finished their vaccinations. Don’t worry – there’s lots you can do to keep both you and your pup sane!

Keeping your dog entertained indoors and mentally stimulated is essential for their overall well-being. Engaging them in fun indoor activities not only strengthens your bond, but also helps in their mental and physical development.

From fetch with soft toys to indoor obstacle courses, these activities are designed to keep your puppy’s mind and body active while nurturing a strong, trusting relationship between you two.

So let’s dive into the world of indoor puppy playtime and discover how to keep your furry companion entertained, happy, and healthy!

1. Fetch with Soft Toys

Playing fetch is a classic game that most dogs love, but playing it indoors can be challenging due to space constraints. Fear not, you can still enjoy this activity with your puppy by using soft toys that won’t cause any damage to your home or furniture.

Begin by holding one of your dog’s toys in your outstretched palm and inviting them to “hold”. Toss the toy a short distance away, encouraging your pup to chase after it as part of indoor dog games.

When your pup retrieves the toy, be sure to show your enthusiasm, as dogs love positive reinforcement. I like to use an excited ‘baby voice’ to make the game fun (it can feel silly at first but you’ll soon see if your puppy responds to it).

Playing fetch with soft toys not only keeps your puppy entertained, but also helps in developing their coordination and focus. Plus, it’s a great way to burn off some of their pent-up energy!

Remember to keep safety in mind while playing fetch indoors. Stick to soft toys that won’t damage your home or hurt your puppy, and be mindful of the space you’re playing in. By taking these precautions, you can enjoy a fun and safe game of fetch with your furry friend.

2. Tug of War

Tug of war is not only a fun and interactive game, but also helps build your puppy’s strength and confidence. To play, give your puppy the verbal cue “take it” and present the tug toy. Then, pull back and forth, matching their effort and enthusiasm.

Don’t forget to give them lots of praise and encouragement, and it’s perfectly fine to let them win sometimes to boost their confidence. Don’t be too rough (after all, they’re only little and still growing).

Playing tug of war can be a part of obedience training and is an excellent way to provide both physical and mental exercise for your pup.

It’s essential to make sure the game is safe for both you and your puppy. Use a tug toy made of a soft material that won’t hurt your pup’s teeth or gums, and end the game before your pup gets too tired or overexcited.

3. Hide-and-Seek

Hide-and-seek is a mentally stimulating game that helps improve your puppy’s problem-solving skills and sense of smell. To play, command your puppy to “find me” or a specific object, like your keys.

I prefer to use low-calorie treats – have someone hold your puppy while you hide treats around the house. Your pup will then search for you or the object you’ve hidden, providing them with a fun challenge. I find using treats also gets them to really engage their noses and other senses.

Playing hide-and-seek with your new puppy can help them develop problem-solving skills and a strong sense of smell while also building a strong bond with you. To make the game enjoyable, keep it short and fun, and don’t forget to give your pup a homemade dog treat or some praise when they find you or the object you’ve hidden.

By engaging your puppy in hide-and-seek, you’re not only providing physical and mental stimulation, but also nurturing their natural curiosity.

4. Food Dispensing Toys

A treat dispensing toy is an excellent way to keep your puppy entertained and mentally challenged. These treat dispensing toys can be filled with treats or kibble. When your pup plays with them, the treats come out, making for a fun and interactive experience.

You can fill them with your puppy’s favorite treats, and they will have to figure out how to get the treats out, stimulating their mind and keeping them entertained. I love treat dispensing balls, snuffle mats, and licky mats for my dogs.

Not only do food dispensing toys provide your puppy with physical and mental exercise, but they can also help prevent boredom and naughty behaviors and keep your dog entertained for long periods.

It’s important to supervise your puppy while they’re playing with these toys and only use toys that are safe and suitable for their size and age. Don’t forget to clean the toy regularly to ensure a fun and safe experience for both you and your pup.

5. DIY Brain Teasers

DIY brain teasers are homemade puzzles and games that can challenge your puppy’s mind and keep them engaged. Creating these brain teasers is a great way to promote mental stimulation while saving money on store-bought toys. For example, you can fill a plastic kiddie pool with balls and or make homemade dog treats to keep them entertained.

Another idea is to create a snuffle mat using fleece fabric strips, which encourages your puppy to use their sense of smell to find hidden treats. You can also create a puzzle for them using a water bottle or muffin tin, filled with treats or kibble. These puzzle toys can be a great way to keep your puppy entertained while providing them with mental exercise.

By incorporating DIY brain teasers into your puppy’s playtime, you’ll not only save money on store-bought toys, but also keep them mentally stimulated and engaged. So get creative and watch as your puppy delights in these homemade challenges!

6. Teaching Basic Commands

Dog training is an essential part of raising a well-behaved and happy puppy. The sooner you start, the better in my experience!

Teaching basic commands, such as “sit,” “watch me,” “stay,” “wait,” “come,” “off” and “drop it,” provides a strong foundation for future training and helps establish a strong bond between you and your puppy.

To teach your puppy these basic commands, start by saying the command and rewarding them with a treat when they perform the desired action. Consistency is key when teaching your puppy, as it helps them understand what’s expected of them. Remember to use positive reinforcement in the form of treats or praise when your puppy successfully performs the command.

When it comes to puppies, I find that keeping things as fun and engaging as possible is most important. Keep training sessions short so they don’t get bored (like kids, they have a short attention span).

By working on obedience training with your puppy, you’ll not only establish a strong foundation for future training, but also create a deep bond between you two. So grab some treats and start teaching your dog the basics today!

7. Trick Training

Teaching dog tricks is a fun way to engage your puppy in mentally stimulating activities while impressing friends and family. Teaching tricks such as rolling over, spinning, fetching, and playing dead can not only entertain your puppy, but also strengthen your bond.

To teach your puppy these fun tricks, start with the basics like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.” Once they’ve mastered these commands, you can move on to more complex tricks.

Remember to use positive reinforcement and praise when your puppy successfully performs a trick, as this encourages them to keep learning and trying new things.

8. Socialization at Home

Socialization is essential for helping your puppy become comfortable with new people, sights, sounds, and experiences. Just because you can’t go out, doesn’t mean you can’t start socializing your new best friend!

By exposing them to various stimuli within the safety of your home, you can help build their confidence and satisfy their curiosity. To socialize your puppy at home, you can take them for walks in different areas of your home, play different types of music, and introduce them to new people.

Inviting friends and family over and welcoming company in a positive manner can help your puppy become comfortable with new people and social situations.

By providing your puppy with a variety of experiences within the safety of your home, you’ll help them become well-rounded and confident in various social situations.

9. Meeting New People

Introducing your puppy to new people is an essential part of their socialization process. By doing so, you can help your puppy become comfortable with different individuals and social situations, ultimately building their confidence.

To introduce your puppy to new people in a safe and positive manner, confine them to a separate room until everyone has settled in, let your pup make the first move, and have the new person offer treats and use a soft, happy voice to encourage your puppy to say “hello”.

Take it slow and if your puppy seems overwhelmed, let them have a break to relax. You want to keep things as positive as possible to teach your dog that people are fun and there’s nothing to be afraid of.

Additionally, introducing your puppy to new sights, sounds, and smells can help them get used to new environments and people. By making meeting new people a positive and enjoyable experience for your puppy, you’ll help them develop confidence and comfort in various social situations.

10. DIY Dog Toys

Remember the DIY dog puzzles we talked about earlier? Well, you can also make DIY dog toys!

Making homemade dog toys from household items is a great way to keep your puppy entertained while saving you money (let’s face it, puppies are expensive)!

Dog toys can be made using cardboard, fabric, rope, and plastic bottles. Some ideas for DIY dog toys include a cardboard box maze, a fabric tug toy, a rope knot toy, and a plastic bottle treat dispenser.

Not only do these homemade toys provide endless entertainment for your puppy, but they also allow you to repurpose common household items, making them eco-friendly as well.

I find that sometimes my dogs enjoy the simple, DIY toys more than the ones I spent a lot of money on!

By incorporating DIY dog toys into your puppy’s playtime, you’ll not only save money, but also provide them with hours of entertainment and mental stimulation.

11. Brushing and Grooming

Regular grooming sessions are essential for maintaining your puppy’s hygiene and health. You need to teach your dog that they don’t need to be afraid of grooming.

By brushing and grooming your puppy, you can create a positive association with the process, making it easier and more enjoyable for both of you in the future.

Start by brushing them daily, using a bristle brush or slicker brush, depending on their coat type. Make sure to brush all the way down to the skin to stimulate circulation and remove any dandruff. Additionally, you can use specific grooming tools like a pin brush or de-shedding tool as needed.

I advise doing plenty of research into your dog’s coat so you know what’s best for their fur.

By incorporating regular brushing and grooming into your puppy’s routine, you’ll help maintain their hygiene and health while creating a positive association with the process.

12. Canine Massage

Canine massage is a wonderful way to bond with your puppy while providing them with numerous health benefits. This soothing practice can help reduce anxiety, improve circulation, and strengthen the bond between you and your puppy.

To give your puppy a massage, start with gentle petting all over their body, then use your thumb to run from the top of their nose over their head. Next, use flat palms to press against their skin lightly and use long, sweeping motions with your hands. Finally, use the effleurage technique with gentle, long, slow strokes from their head to their tail and feet.

This can help to improve your bond and can be relaxing for you both! Not all dogs enjoy this but mine certainly do, so it’s worth a try.

13. Indoor Obstacle Course

Setting up an indoor obstacle course is an incredibly fun and challenging activity for your puppy. Think of it like your own indoor dog park!

It promotes focus and mental stimulation while providing a unique way for them to burn off some energy.

To create an indoor obstacle course, set up a zig-zag course using small obstacles like boxes, chairs, or laundry baskets. Use a step stool or a rectangular laundry basket as a hurdle for your pup to jump over. Get creative with household items like blankets, chairs, hula hoops, and coffee tables to create various obstacles for your pup to navigate.

While setting up an indoor obstacle course, always keep safety in mind and supervise your puppy while they’re running the course.

By incorporating this fun activity into your puppy’s playtime, you’ll not only provide them with physical and mental stimulation, but also create an exciting challenge for them to conquer!

14. Encouraging Exploration

Allowing your puppy to explore different areas of your home is essential for building their confidence and satisfying their curiosity. Exploration helps them become familiar with their environment and adapt to various situations.

To encourage exploration, let your puppy sniff and explore and engage them in mental stimulation through training and obedience routines.

Additionally, enrichment activities that get them thinking and moving can help promote exploration and mental stimulation. By providing your puppy with opportunities to explore, you’ll help them become more confident and curious, ultimately leading to a well-rounded and happy dog.

So, start encouraging your puppy to explore their surroundings and watch as they grow into a confident, curious, and well-adapted canine companion!

15. Work on Relaxing

Teaching your puppy the importance of relaxation and downtime is just as crucial as engaging them in physical and mental exercise. Relaxation helps them stay calm and focused, preventing behavioral issues and promoting a well-balanced lifestyle.

To help your puppy relax, create a comfortable and peaceful area for them to rest, and introduce activities like massage, brushing, and playing soothing music.

Providing a comfy bed, playing calming tunes, and using soothing dog-safe aromas can also help create a relaxing environment for your puppy.

Learning to relax when they’re told is a valuable skill that will help them to be more balanced, and help you to be less stressed by all that puppy energy!

Summary

In conclusion, engaging your puppy in fun and stimulating indoor activities is essential for their overall well-being and happiness.

From indoor fetch to DIY dog toys, these 15 activities provide endless entertainment for your furry friend while promoting a healthy and well-rounded lifestyle.

So grab your treats, toys, and creativity, and embark on an exciting journey of indoor playtime with your beloved puppy.

Remember, a happy and entertained puppy is a happy and healthy companion for life!

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do with my puppy during the day?

Make your puppy’s day fun with puzzle games, snuffle mats and food-dispensing toys, obedience training and “go find” and toy name practice. Reinforce their recall to make sure they come back to you!

Do I have to entertain my puppy all the time?

Your puppy needs entertainment and activity, whether indoors or outdoors. Giving them training and attention is important for their development, and will help avoid any naughty behavior from boredom.

Learning to relax and letting them have plenty of rest is vital too – you don’t have to entertain your puppy constantly.

What are some fun indoor activities for my puppy?

With so many fun activities to choose from, your puppy can stay entertained indoors with fetch with soft toys, tug of war, hide-and-seek, food dispensing toys, DIY brain teasers, teaching basic commands, trick training, socialization at home, and much more!

How can I help my puppy relax at home?

Create a cozy space for your pup, incorporate activities like massage and brushing, and try playing some soothing music – all of these can help them relax.

Making sure your pup is comfortable and relaxed is important for their overall wellbeing. Taking the time to create a calming environment can help them feel secure and content.

You can start by providing a comfortable bed, pen, or crate for them to sleep in.

What are some DIY dog toys I can make for my puppy?

Try a cardboard box maze, fabric tug toy, rope knot toy, or a plastic bottle treat dispenser for a great time. These toys are easy to make and can provide hours of entertainment for your pup. Plus, they can help keep them mentally and physically stimulated.