As we transition from winter to spring, being cooped inside with your dog can get repetitive. There are many indoor activities you and your dog can do together to keep your pup physically exercised and mentally stimulated.

The American Kennel Club offers the following tips for staying engaged while you wait for the weather to warm up.

--Treat scavenger hunt. Send your dog on an indoor adventure around the house. Hide treats around your home to put their nose to work to find the hidden treasure.

--Improve obedience skills. If your pup has the basic obedience commands down, consider trying out more intermediate or advanced skills.

--Interactive toys. Mental stimulation is extremely important for dogs at any age and interactive toys are a great way to sharpen your pup’s mind. Because these toys usually involve hidden treats in an object, there are rewards involved too.

--Create an obstacle course. Build an obstacle course using common household items and making the course as simple or as challenging as you see fit. Broken down boxes are good to crawl through, chairs can be set up to weave through and a stack of books can be a jump for your pup. This is a great way to give your pup some physical exercise indoors.

--Play a game of indoor fetch. Indoor fetch is a terrific way to keep your dog entertained; it works best in a long hallway or on stairs. It is easier and safer on surfaces like carpet or something that has a good grip, so your pup does not slip and slide. Be sure to clear away fragile or unsafe items first, then find a ball and start tossing.

For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit the AKC website at www.akc.org.

©2025 American Kennel Club. Visit at akc.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC