January can feel endless when you have a dog. Short days, cold weather, icy sidewalks...suddenly those long walks and dog park trips disappear. Meanwhile, your dog is still full of energy, staring at you and waiting for you to come up with a plan.
A bored dog can lead to chewing, barking, restlessness, and general chaos. The good news is that you don’t need a huge house or expensive equipment to keep your dog happy indoors. A little mental stimulation goes a long way.
Here are a list of indoor games that help burn energy, reduce boredom, and keep both of you sane during January.
This classic never gets old. Place treats in a muffin tin, then cover each cup with a tennis ball, toy, or crumpled paper. Your dog has to sniff, paw, and problem-solve to get the reward. Sniffing and thinking tire dogs out faster than physical exercise alone.
Have your dog stay, or distract them briefly, then hide somewhere in your home and call their name. You can also hide treats around one room and let them search. This strengthens recall and confidence while turning your house into a mini adventure.
If you have a hallway or open space, short fetch sessions can be great. Add structure by asking for a sit or down before each throw. Combining impulse control with movement helps dogs settle faster afterward.
January is perfect for training because you’re already spending more time inside. Try teaching spin, shake, touch, roll over, or bow. Five minutes of training can be more tiring than a long walk.
If you have puzzle toys, rotate them so they feel new again. If not, use cardboard boxes, paper towel rolls, or towels twisted around treats. Always supervise to make sure your dog isn’t eating anything they shouldn’t.
Toss a treat a few feet away and say “find it.” As your dog gets better, increase the difficulty by hiding treats behind furniture or under objects. This taps into natural foraging instincts and keeps their brain engaged.
Tug is great exercise when done properly. Set simple rules, such as asking your dog to drop the toy on cue and pausing the game if teeth touch skin. Tug builds confidence and strengthens your bond.
Use chairs, pillows, broomsticks, or laundry baskets to create a simple obstacle course. Guide your dog over, under, and around objects. This helps with body awareness, focus, and controlled movement.
Not all energy needs to be explosive. Settle-on-a-mat training, gentle massage, chew time, and slow sniffing games all teach your dog how to relax. Calm behavior is just as important as active play.
January boredom doesn’t mean you’re failing your dog. It just means you need different tools for a different season. Mixing mental games, short training sessions, and calm enrichment can turn a restless winter dog into a content one.
