10 Fun Dog Daycare Games to Try at Home or in a Facility

Playing games with your furry friend is a great way to bond and exercise their mind and body. Many dog daycare centers offer various games to keep dogs engaged, but you can also try them at home with a little creativity.

Hide-and-seek is a classic game that's easy to set up in a facility or at home. According to a daycare center, it's a great way to encourage dogs to use their sense of smell and problem-solving skills.

Tug-of-war is another popular game that's perfect for high-energy dogs. A daycare center report suggests that it's a great way to burn off excess energy and strengthen the bond between dog and owner.

Indoor obstacle courses can be set up in a facility or at home using household items, such as tunnels and cones. This game is great for dogs of all ages and breeds, as it provides a fun and challenging way to exercise and engage their minds.

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You don't have to have a yard to play fun games with your dog, as there are plenty of great dog games to play indoors.

On rainy days, late nights, or for folks who might not have a yard, playing dog games indoors is a great idea.

Some dog games can be played for free, making them a budget-friendly option for dog owners.

You can play dog games indoors with your dog on a rainy day, and they'll still have a blast.

DIY dog games can be a fun and creative way to engage with your dog and provide mental stimulation.

Indoor dog games are a great way to keep your furry friend entertained and exercised, even on rainy days or in small living spaces. You can play fun games with your dog indoors without needing a yard.

One game you can try is Hide and Seek. This game will likely take some time for your dog to learn, but it's a great way to mentally stimulate them. To play, start by letting your dog see you hiding while staff members hold them back with leashes or gates. Then, have staff members help your dog find you and reward them when they do.

As your dog gets the hang of it, you can make the game harder by choosing more difficult hiding spots and not letting your dog see where you hide. Make sure to transfer who is hiding to other staff members throughout the game.

Another game you can play is Snack Track Down. This game involves hiding treats in empty containers, such as shoeboxes or yogurt cups. To set up the game, place a few containers on the ground, with at least one hiding a smelly treat. Bring your dog in to sniff out the prize and reward them when they find it.

You can make the game harder by adding more containers and spreading them out farther, with only one container hiding a treat. This game is also a good option for feeding a fast eater, as you can scatter a full serving of dry dog food in the containers and your dog won't be able to wolf it down as quickly as usual.

Here are some tips for setting up the Snack Track Down game:

Outdoor dog games are a great way to engage your furry friend's natural instincts. You can turn a walk into a game by bringing along some small treats and pausing every now and then to drop a treat into a grassy area.

This game, known as "Stroll and Sniff", allows your dog to exercise their nose and track down the treats. Show your dog the treat before you toss it, and then give them a little time to track it down.

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Taking your dog on a stroll can be a great way to exercise their sense of smell. You can turn a walk into a game by bringing along small treats and pausing to drop them into a grassy area.

Show your dog the treat before you toss it, and give them some time to track it down. This game can be a fun way to engage your dog's sense of smell and provide them with mental stimulation.

Some great options for treats to use during a stroll and sniff game include kibble, food treat roll pieces, grated cheddar cheese, and dried liver treats.

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Wading Pool Enrichment is a simple yet effective way to keep your dog engaged and stimulated. The idea is to fill a child's wading pool with different items to discover each day, and place it where your dog can find it while on a walk or in the yard.

Dogs are naturally curious and love to use their sense of smell. In fact, their nose is the #1 sense that touches the most important part of their brain. You can take advantage of this by adding herbs like basil, parsley, rosemary, mint, oregano, sage, and thyme to the pool for your dog to sniff.

Balls are also irresistible to dogs, and adding them to the pool is a great way to keep them engaged. You can even toss some treats into the pool and let your dog search through the balls to discover them.

If you want to add some extra fun to the pool, you can try adding ice or toys. The ice will provide a cool and novel experience for your dog, while the toys will give them something to chew on and play with.

Here are some ideas for different Wading Pool Enrichment themes:

Dogs have a powerful sense of smell, making scent-focused games a great way to engage them. Some breeds, like bloodhounds, basset hounds, beagles, and labs, are naturally inclined to sniff around.

Scent trails are a simple yet effective way to put your dog's nose to work. Drag a piece of food like ham, cheese, or chicken along the ground to create a scent trail. Make the trail as straightforward or winding as you like.

You can reinforce your top sniffers by giving them a reward at the end of the trail. Just make sure to clear your choice with the owners first if you're giving edible treats.

Socialization is key to your dog's happiness and well-being. It's hard to beat playing with dogs, so let your pooch release their inner pack animal by bringing them to Doggie Daycare at Hounds Lounge.

At Doggy Daycare, your pup will make new friends, boost their confidence, and improve their behavior. This is the ultimate social school for your dog, with professional guidance to help them thrive.

Doggie Daycare offers a leash-free indoor/outdoor play yard where your pup can play all day. Their first day is even free! Make a reservation now at any of their locations.

To ensure your dog gets the most out of daycare, ensure the center provides opportunities for a variety of interactions with different types of dogs, structured activities, and a consistent routine.

Here are some enrichment activities you can expect at Dog Daycare:

By choosing activities that suit your dog's personality, you can prevent boredom and keep them happy and stimulated. For example, if your dog is highly energetic, opt for activities like fetch or agility courses.

Your dog can enjoy a healthier, happier life by going to Daycare, where they'll get plenty of opportunities to engage in interactive play.

Structured activities, playtime, and engaging toys provide a positive outlet for their boundless energy. This leads to a dog who isn't bored and is more relaxed once they're home.

Dogs can engage in interactive play sessions with other friendly dogs at Daycare, socializing and making new friends. This positively contributes to their overall well-being.

By going to Daycare, your dog can make new friends, boost their confidence, and improve their behavior. With professional guidance, they'll learn to navigate different interactions and cues.

Doggy Daycare is the ultimate social school for your pup, offering a variety of interactions with different types of dogs, structured activities, and a consistent routine.

To make the most of their interactive play sessions, it's recommended to rotate a variety of toys to maintain interest, establish a consistent play schedule, and vary play environments to keep things interesting.

Your dog can enjoy a more relaxed pup once they're home, thanks to the energy-burning activities like fetch, tug-of-war, and puzzle toys they get to enjoy at Daycare.

At dog daycare, activities can make all the difference in keeping your furry friend engaged and happy. Theme days offer a fresh experience every time, allowing pets to connect with others and staff members, promoting socialization and strengthening bonds.

Preventing dog boredom is essential, and activities like interactive toys, fetch, walks, training sessions, and treat-filled toys can do just that. These activities provide mental stimulation and keep dogs excited about what's to come.

Enrichment activities at dog daycare might include structured and supervised play, group walks and outdoor play, interactive toys, enrichment games like puzzles, training sessions, quiet time and naps, water play activities, and treat time. These activities cater to different energy levels and preferences.

If your dog is highly energetic, activities like fetch, agility courses, or running might be more suitable. On the other hand, calmer dogs might enjoy leisurely walks or puzzle games.

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Puzzle games are a great way to keep your dog's mind sharp, and they're suitable for dogs of all ages, including seniors. Many puzzle games, such as the Muffin Tin Puzzle and Snuffle Mat, are perfect for mature pooches.

Frisbee toss is a fun twist on the classic game of fetch, and it's easy to set up a game or even a tournament with other dog owners. This game is great for dogs of all breeds.

Interactive play is essential for your dog's mental and physical health, and it helps them burn energy so they can relax at home. At dog daycare, dogs have plenty of opportunities to engage in interactive play with other friendly dogs, which also helps with socialization and making new friends.

The Muffin Tin Puzzle is a great way to challenge your dog's mind and keep them engaged. This game requires your dog to solve problems and flex their sniffer.

You'll need a muffin tin, tennis balls, and treats to play this game. Start by dropping treats into each muffin cup and covering them with tennis balls. Hand the tin off to your dog and watch them figure out how to reach the treats.

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Once your dog has mastered this, you can up the ante by only putting a treat in some of the cups but covering them all with tennis balls. This will challenge your dog to use their problem-solving skills to find the hidden treats.

Muffin Tin Puzzle is a great option for mature pooches, including seniors. Dogs with older bodies can still have very sharp minds, and it's essential to keep them mentally stimulated.

Here are some tips to make the most of the Muffin Tin Puzzle game:

Frisbee Toss is a great way to mix up the classic game of fetch. It's simple to set up and can be enjoyed by every dog breed.

You can coordinate with other dog owners to set up an official frisbee toss tournament or simply incorporate it into your regular activity times for pups. This game is a great way to add some variety to your dog's playtime.

To play frisbee toss, all you need is a frisbee and a safe, open space. You can toss the frisbee for your dog to catch, or have them toss it back to you. This game is a great way to challenge your dog's retrieval skills and provide them with some exercise.

Frisbee toss is a great way to get your dog moving and engaged, and it's a lot of fun for both you and your pup. It's a timeless activity that's sure to become a favorite in your household.