Whether you're stuck indoors on a rainy afternoon or simply looking for new ways to bond with your four-legged friend, the right dog games can do wonders, not just for their body, but for their mind, too.
🕒 5 min read
Mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise for dogs, and the good news is that some of the best games to play with your dog don't require any specialist equipment at all.
Here are our favourite brain training games for dogs, suitable for everything from boisterous puppies to calmer senior dogs enjoying their golden years.
How to Play with Your Dog: The Ground Rules
- Let your dog lead: Never push your dog into play if they're not feeling it. A wagging tail and an alert, engaged posture are some key signs they're ready. Yawning, turning away, or lying down are signals to give them space.
- Keep sessions short and sweet: Aim for 5–10 minutes per game. That's enough time to engage their brain without tiring them out. Stopping while they're still having fun keeps them keen for next time.
- Avoid rough or highly arousing games that could encourage boisterous behaviour that they might repeat around children or unfamiliar people.
1. Scent Hunt
Dogs experience the world largely through their nose, which makes scent-based brain training games for dogs some of the most naturally rewarding activities you can offer them.
Start simple: ask your dog to sit, place a treat or favourite toy just in front of them, then hide it before giving a cue like "find it." When they find it and pick it up, praise them. Gradually increase the difficulty by moving the item further away, tucking it behind furniture, or hiding it in another room entirely. This is one of the best games to play with puppies indoors, as it channels their natural curiosity without overstimulating them.
2. Hide and Seek
A classic for good reason. Hide and seek is one of the most enjoyable and accessible games to play with your dog inside, and it naturally taps into their instinct to track and find. Ask your dog to sit and stay, then slip away and find a hiding spot. Once you're settled, call their name and wait. When they sniff you out, reward them with plenty of praise and a treat if you like. As they get the hang of it, make your hiding spots more challenging, like behind doors, under duvets, or in different rooms.
This is a brilliant indoor dog game on days when a full walk isn't possible, and it strengthens the bond between you in the process.
3. The Heel Game
This one doubles as a loose lead training exercise, and it's one of those fun games for dogs that has a practical payoff. Put your dog on their lead and have a handful of small treats in your pocket. Walk around the room at a relaxed pace. Each time your dog draws level with you, reward them with a treat. If they pull ahead, calmly turn and walk in the opposite direction, placing a treat on the floor ahead of you as you go.
As they eat the treat, move forward again so you're slightly ahead. When they catch up, reward them again. Over time, start varying your pace and direction, moving forwards, backwards, and sideways to keep them attentive and engaged. It's a great way to build focus and walking manners without any frustration on either side.
Make tidying up a game and see how quickly your dog can collect their toys.
4. DIY Agility Course
If your dog has energy to burn, setting up a simple agility course in the garden, or, if you have space, the living room, is a fantastic way to challenge their brain and body at the same time. And you don't need to spend a penny on specialist equipment. Raid the cupboards and get creative. Drape an old blanket over a row of chairs to create a tunnel to crawl through, and balance a broom across two upturned buckets to make a low jump. You can even use cardboard boxes as weave poles or obstacles to navigate around.
Guide your dog through each obstacle with a treat or their favourite toy, using consistent verbal cues like "over," "through," or "around." These agility-based at-home dog games are especially good for working breeds and puppies who need regular mental challenges.
You don't need specialist kit to get started. Chairs and a blanket can become a tunnel, a broom balanced on sturdy objects can make a low jump, and cardboard boxes work well as obstacles to move around.
5. The Tidy Up Game
Yes, you can teach your dog to tidy their own toys away, and it's one of the most satisfying brain games for dogs to play once they've got it. Scatter a few toys around the room and encourage your dog to pick each one up and drop it into their toy box. In the early stages, reward each individual step: picking up the toy, carrying it to the box, and releasing it. With practice, a single cue like "tidy up" or "put it away" will cover the whole sequence.
Dogs love the sense of accomplishment this game brings, and it gives their problem-solving skills a genuine workout. Once they've mastered the living room, you can extend the game to other parts of the house.
6. Which Hand?
This is one of the simplest brain training games for dogs, and one of the most effective for puppies who are just starting to learn how to focus. All you need is a small treat and your hands. Hide a treat in one hand, hold both fists out in front of you, and let your dog sniff and investigate. When they nose or paw at the correct hand, open it and let them have the reward. It sounds straightforward, but it gives their problem-solving skills a workout and helps build impulse control over time. As they get more confident, you can make it trickier by switching hands more quickly or using small cups instead.
7. Tug of War
Often misunderstood, tug of war is actually one of the best games for dogs when played with a few simple ground rules in place. Far from encouraging aggression, a well-managed game of tug of war builds trust, reinforces your dog's ability to respond to cues, and gives them a brilliant physical and mental outlet.
Use a rope toy or tug toy that's long enough to keep your hands well away from their mouth, and teach a clear "drop it" or "leave" cue from the start, rewarding them when they release on command. Keep the game controlled and cheerful, and always be the one to start and end the session. If your dog gets overexcited or jumps up, calmly pause the game until they settle. This dog game is particularly good for high-energy breeds and younger dogs who need a way to channel their enthusiasm.
Supporting Your Dog's Health Beyond Playtime
Regular play is a wonderful way to keep your dog's mind and body in good shape. But it works best alongside a balanced diet and the right nutritional support. If your dog is getting older and you've noticed they're a little slower to get going, or if they're a young, active dog burning through energy at every opportunity, our range of dog supplements is designed to give them a little extra support where they need it most.
From joint supplements for dogs who love to stay active, to calming supplements for those who find new games and environments a little overwhelming, find everything you need to help your four-legged friend feel their best every day.
However you choose to play, the most important thing is that you're spending quality time together. Even a few minutes of engaging activity each day can make a real difference to your dog's wellbeing, keeping them mentally sharp, physically active, and emotionally connected to you. For more advice on caring for your furry friend, explore the VetVits advice hub.
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