- Sep 7, 2025
- 128
- 110
Even the most driven dogs have days where outdoor adventures just aren’t possible, bad weather, recovery days, or when you’re under the weather yourself.
Here are a few things that have worked well for me (and might save your sanity too):
Nose Work / Scent Games
Hide a few pieces of kibble or small treats around the house and let your dog find them. It burns tons of mental energy and satisfies their natural drive to track and search.
Structured Tug or Obedience Games
Tug-of-war, paired with “out” and “sit” commands, adds control and structure to playtime. Keeps their brain working and their muscles active.
Puzzle Toys & Food Challenges
Frozen Kongs, snuffle mats, or DIY puzzles using cups and treats are all great for keeping them busy and engaged for long stretches.
Obedience Refreshers
Short, five-minute training sessions on commands they already know. It reinforces structure, boosts confidence, and burns energy faster than most people realize.
Trick Training or Novel Skills
Even simple things like “spin,” “touch,” or “crawl” challenge their coordination and focus.
Bonus: A quick 10-15 minute find-it or tug session before bed can settle them down beautifully when they’re restless.
What do you usually do on quiet or rainy days to keep your shepherd happy and balanced?
Here are a few things that have worked well for me (and might save your sanity too):
Nose Work / Scent Games
Hide a few pieces of kibble or small treats around the house and let your dog find them. It burns tons of mental energy and satisfies their natural drive to track and search.
Structured Tug or Obedience Games
Tug-of-war, paired with “out” and “sit” commands, adds control and structure to playtime. Keeps their brain working and their muscles active.
Puzzle Toys & Food Challenges
Frozen Kongs, snuffle mats, or DIY puzzles using cups and treats are all great for keeping them busy and engaged for long stretches.
Obedience Refreshers
Short, five-minute training sessions on commands they already know. It reinforces structure, boosts confidence, and burns energy faster than most people realize.
Trick Training or Novel Skills
Even simple things like “spin,” “touch,” or “crawl” challenge their coordination and focus.
Bonus: A quick 10-15 minute find-it or tug session before bed can settle them down beautifully when they’re restless.
What do you usually do on quiet or rainy days to keep your shepherd happy and balanced?
