How to Keep a Dog Busy at Home: 15 Ideas

Although getting to spend extra time indoors with our pets can be a perk, some things are easier to accomplish without a furry distraction. Whether it's the weather keeping you inside or a work conference call, consider implementing some of these strategies at home the next time you need your dog to stay busy and burn some mental energy.

15 ideas to keep your dog entertained for hours indoors:

1. Put on TV or videos for dogs

These days there are numerous online television and video channels created just for bored and restless dogs. These videos often consist of wide-open natural spaces full of trees, streams, birds, squirrels and even other dogs that can give your pup a similar feeling to being outside. The scenes are often accompanied by either relaxing music or nature sounds, and while they can provide a picturesque at-home escape while you’re busy at home, they shouldn’t be used as a regular substitute for time spent outside.

2. Stuff a KONG with tasty treats

A tasty stuffed KONG toy is an easy way to keep your dog occupied for long periods of time. Simply insert a KONG filling, pieces of kibble or wet food into the opening and let your dog entertain themselves as they work hard to get to their treat. While the classic red KONG may be the most recognizable in the toy line and the best option for most adult dogs, seniors, puppies and extreme chewers should get the KONG designed for them (and their teeth).

Pro tip: You can increase their fun (and buy yourself some additional quiet time) by hiding the KONG and letting your pup go find it. Or freeze the KONG after you fill it so your pup stay engaged longer as their treats thaw.

3. Engage in at-home training

Specialized training can keep your dog physically and mentally active while they’re stuck at home. Whether you’re teaching your dog new tricks, giving them a refresher course on certain cues or teaching more advanced agility training, these activities can keep you and your pup from becoming bored and sedentary afterwards. And if you need a little help, Petco now offers virtual online dog training courses for pups and pet parents when they can’t leave home.

4. Treat them to a long-lasting chew

Long-lasting chews are another tasty way to keep your pup occupied. Be sure to take into account your pup’s favorite flavors, their size, their age and their chew strength when choosing the right chew for them.

5. Create a treasure hunt

While handing your dog a treat or toy will send their tail wagging, why not make it more interesting for them? Try hiding medium- to large-sized treats or toys around your home: under a couch pillow, tucked into their dog bed, hidden in a toy or peeking out from behind a sturdy cabinet. You may need to help your pet now and again, but they’ll have more fun discovering these items on their own.

6. Replace their dish with a slow-feeder bowl

A slow-feeder is an easy way to make mealtimes last longer as your dog needs to slow down and use their mental capabilities to access each piece of kibble. The bonus here is that you get extra time to yourself. The fun designs of these bowls keep dogs from inhaling their food, which also helps prevent bloat and regurgitation in dogs who might normally eat a bit too quickly. If you don’t have a slow-feeder bowl, you can DIY your own by placing a small upside-down dish or tennis ball in your pet’s usual bowl. They’ll have to nose around it to get their food out.

7. Set up a spot for them by the window

Just because you can’t take your dog outside doesn’t mean that they won’t be curious about all the sights and sounds they sense out there. Try opening the blinds, cracking the window (when the weather allows) and setting up a comfortable spot for them so they can monitor the neighborhood. It can provide them mental stimulation and make them feel purposeful.

8. Order an interactive puzzle toy

Any toy is likely to keep your dog occupied for at least a little while, but a puzzle toy can keep them mentally stimulated without you for longer than your average ball. Puzzle toys are also a great way to entertain your pup while helping them learn new skills, like problem-solving. Look for a toy that can be adapted for different skill levels so you can continue to challenge your dog as they learn.

9. Rotate your dog’s toys daily

Having the same toys to play with each day can get tedious for your pup. Luckily, dogs have relatively short memories, and providing “new” toys each day while hiding the others in a drawer or cabinet can give them a sense of variety.

10. Challenge your dog with a treat-dispensing toy

Similar in theory to a puzzle toy, treat-dispensing toys are designed to mentally and physically stimulate your dog and keep them engaged for hours. Just remember to limit their treat intake to 10% of their overall diet. If you’re worried about overdoing the treats, you can always take a portion of their normal day’s meal and put it inside the toy instead of other treats.

11. Hire a dog walker

Even if you’re not feeling well or have to work from home, that doesn’t mean that your dog can’t benefit from an outdoor adventure. Dog walking services can send a qualified and vetted walker to your home and take your pup for a stroll to help release pent-up energy, without having to worry about their safety. They’ll work around your schedule and preferences and your pup will love the exercise!

12. Keep them moving with an automatic ball launcher

Have a fetch-obsessed dog who won’t stop dropping their drool-soaked toy into your lap while you’re working on that important spreadsheet for work? While fetch is a great way to keep your dog entertained and work out some of their energy, it also usually requires your involvement. Auto fetch toys play ball without you—potentially engaging your dog for hours—while you get your work done (or take a much-deserved respite for yourself).

If the weather is keeping you indoors, consider swapping a fetch toy for a plush or rope toy.

13. Create a doggy playground

If you parent a small- or medium-sized dog and have space in your home, you can create a fun playground or obstacle course to keep your pet stimulated. Create tunnels, ramps, rail jumps and seesaws with common household items like blankets, pillows, cardboard tubes and stools to provide an interactive play space for your pup. You can also buy premade tunnels and other playthings to make this area more immersive.

14. Provide hours of fun with solo tug toys

Tug is another fun game to play with your pup, but it requires two to tango…unless you hook up your pup with a solo tug toy. A tree-hanging tug rope, for example, is a simple toy that you can attach to a fixed overhead object like a tree branch or a sturdy second-story deck beam. A ball attached to a specially designed bungee cord allows your dog to pull and tug as much as they want without ever actually losing the ball. In other words, it allows for hours of ball play for your dog while you concentrate on other things. It's also a great way to get energy out while staying close to home when you need to warm up when the weather is cooling down.

15. Consider bringing home a sibling

If your pup is social and loves to play, consider adopting another dog to provide your pet a whole new level of companionship. Your dogs will have a blast doing the activities previously mentioned on this list together, and you’ll have another loving companion in your life. This may not be feasible for some pet parents, but for others, it could be just the thing for them and their existing dog.

Spending time with our pets is a great way to release stress and pent-up energy, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need a little downtime ourselves every now and again. Some of the above examples can help you keep your dog happy and engaged while you get stuff done. For more ideas, check out additional boredom buster toy options here.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I keep my dog busy each day? Most adult dogs need at least 1–2 hours of combined physical activity and mental stimulation daily, though the right amount varies by breed, age and energy level. High-drive breeds may need significantly more. Spreading enrichment activities throughout the day — a puzzle toy in the morning, a training session midday, a chew in the afternoon — is more effective than one long burst. Consult your veterinarian if your dog seems persistently restless or difficult to settle, as excess energy can sometimes signal an underlying health concern.

Is it bad to keep a dog mentally busy all day without breaks? Yes — balance matters. Dogs need downtime just as much as stimulation. Overscheduling enrichment without rest can leave some dogs anxious or overstimulated rather than calm. Aim for structured activity periods followed by quiet rest time. Think of it like a toddler's day: purposeful play, then a nap. If your dog struggles to settle even after enrichment, speak with your veterinarian or a Petco-knowledgeable trainer about whether anxiety may be a factor.

What if my dog ignores puzzle toys, KONGs or other enrichment activities? Start simpler. A dog who ignores a complex puzzle toy may not yet have the confidence or skill for it — try a lower-difficulty option first and reward any interaction with the toy. For stuffed KONGs, experiment with higher-value fillings like a small amount of peanut butter (xylitol-free) or wet food. Some dogs are more food-motivated than others; for less food-driven dogs, swap treats for a favorite toy hidden inside a snuffle mat or tug game. Patience and gradual shaping go a long way.

Can treats used in enrichment toys throw off my dog's diet? They can if you're not careful. Treats — including those used in puzzle toys and dispensing toys — should make up no more than 10% of your dog's total daily caloric intake. https://www.aafco.org/consumers/understanding-pet-food/ A practical workaround: portion out part of your dog's regular daily kibble and use that inside the toy instead of extra treats. This keeps mealtime calories controlled while still delivering the mental challenge your dog craves.

Are dog TV channels and videos actually beneficial, or just a distraction? Visual and auditory stimulation from dog-specific videos can provide short-term mental engagement, particularly for dogs who are highly reactive to movement and sound. However, screen time should complement — never replace — real-world exercise, social interaction and hands-on enrichment. Think of it as one tool in a larger toolkit, not a standalone solution. Dogs still need genuine outdoor time, sniffing opportunities and physical activity for well-rounded behavioral health.

When should I call my veterinarian instead of trying more enrichment? If your dog shows sudden changes in activity level, loses interest in food or play, seems lethargic, or becomes destructive despite adequate enrichment, those can be signs of an underlying medical or behavioral issue rather than simple boredom. Enrichment activities are wonderful for a mentally healthy dog — but they are not a substitute for veterinary care. When in doubt, always consult your veterinarian first. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control

This article was created with assistance from AI tools and reviewed for accuracy by Petco's content team.