TRUE TO DOGSLITTLE MOMENTS. BIG WAGS.Let’s play

FIND YOUR NEXT LITTLE ADVENTURE

Dog Activity Finder

Find a little idea for today. Filter 12 dog enrichment activities by time, space, noise, and the things you already have—then add a favorite to your week.

Find an activityOpen my weekly planner

Free to use. No account needed. Your week stays in this browser.

01 / PICK YOUR NEXT LITTLE ADVENTURE

What fits your day?

A good activity starts with what works for both of you. Set your limits and see what’s possible.

12 activities to explore

Times are flexible estimates for a short session, including simple setup. “Low-noise” describes the activity; every dog responds differently. Supervise every game.

Explore02

One fold, lots to find

Turn a plain towel into a tiny treasure hunt.

  • ~5 min
  • Mat-sized space
  • Low-noise setup

You’ll need: Usual food, Towel

Let’s play
  1. Lay a clean, intact towel flat and put a few food pieces on it.
  2. Fold one edge loosely over a piece. Help by opening it if needed.
  3. Remove the towel when the food is gone.

Keep it safe. Skip this if your dog chews or swallows fabric. Stay within reach throughout.

Further reading: Dogs Trust: enrichment activities
Learn04

A tiny nose boop

A small new skill, right in the palm of your hand.

  • ~3 min
  • Mat-sized space
  • Low-noise setup

You’ll need: Usual food

Let’s play
  1. Offer a relaxed open palm near your dog, without moving it into their face.
  2. When their nose touches it, say “yes” and reward from your other hand.
  3. Try a few easy repetitions, then take a break.

Keep it safe. Let your dog approach voluntarily. If they turn away, pause.

Further reading: AKC: nose targeting
Connect05

Peekaboo, I found you

You’re the best part of this hide-and-seek.

  • ~5 min
  • One room
  • Some play noise

You’ll need: Just you

Let’s play
  1. While your dog watches, step just behind an open doorway.
  2. Call them once and celebrate their arrival with attention they enjoy.
  3. Repeat nearby, keeping yourself easy to find.

Keep it safe. Keep exits secure. Stop if separation worries your dog; stay visible instead.

Further reading: Blue Cross: indoor games
Connect06

Let your dog pick

Today’s play director has four paws.

  • ~3 min
  • Mat-sized space
  • Some play noise

You’ll need: Dog toys

Let’s play
  1. Offer two intact, appropriately sized dog toys on the floor.
  2. Let your dog choose without prompting.
  3. Play their preferred game briefly, then offer a break.

Keep it safe. Supervise toys and remove damaged ones. One dog at a time if toys cause tension.

Further reading: Blue Cross: playing with your dog
Explore07

The easy food puzzle

Start with an easy win, then let curiosity lead.

  • ~10 min
  • Mat-sized space
  • Some play noise

You’ll need: Usual food, Food toy

Let’s play
  1. Choose a food toy suited to your dog’s size and chewing habits.
  2. Use familiar food, following the toy maker’s instructions. Keep it easy to reach.
  3. Watch closely and help or end the game if your dog struggles.

Keep it safe. Inspect before and after use. Put it away if pieces break off or your dog chews the toy itself.

Further reading: PDSA: activities for your dog
Sniff08

Follow that little trail

A gentle sniffing route across the room.

  • ~5 min
  • One room
  • Low-noise setup

You’ll need: Usual food

Let’s play
  1. Place a short trail of food pieces on a clear, nonslip floor.
  2. Space the pieces close enough for an easy first attempt.
  3. Let your dog find the route without rushing them.

Keep it safe. Keep the route away from doorways, cables, and other pets. Count food toward meals.

Further reading: Dogs Trust: enrichment activities
Learn09

Boop, switch, repeat

A little variation for dogs who know a nose touch.

  • ~5 min
  • Mat-sized space
  • Low-noise setup

You’ll need: Usual food

Let’s play
  1. Begin with a familiar, easy hand target.
  2. Offer the other hand at the same comfortable height.
  3. Reward a voluntary nose touch; alternate for only a few turns.

Keep it safe. Start with “A tiny nose boop” if the skill is new. Keep all four paws on the floor.

Further reading: AKC: nose targeting
Connect10

A little tug together

A short shared game with plenty of pauses.

  • ~5 min
  • One room
  • Some play noise

You’ll need: Dog toys

Let’s play
  1. Offer a suitable tug toy while your dog stands on a nonslip surface.
  2. Keep movements gentle and low. Let your dog win some rounds.
  3. Pause often and restart only if they want more.

Keep it safe. Never lift or jerk your dog by the toy. Stop for teeth on skin, discomfort, or overexcitement.

Further reading: Blue Cross: playing with your dog
Explore11

An open-box discovery

An easy first puzzle from the recycling pile.

  • ~5 min
  • Mat-sized space
  • Some play noise

You’ll need: Usual food, Cardboard box

Let’s play
  1. Use a clean, shallow cardboard box with tape, staples, and labels removed.
  2. Leave it open and place a few food pieces inside.
  3. Let your dog investigate, then put the box away.

Keep it safe. Only for dogs who do not eat cardboard. Supervise closely; skip if they shred or swallow it.

Further reading: ASPCA: DIY enrichment
Connect12

A moment together

Make space for the kind of company your dog enjoys.

  • ~3 min
  • Mat-sized space
  • Low-noise setup

You’ll need: Just you

Let’s play
  1. Sit nearby and let your dog decide whether to approach.
  2. Offer gentle attention only if they seek it; pause to check they want more.
  3. Let them leave or rest whenever they choose.

Keep it safe. Rest matters. Never disturb a sleeping dog or insist on touch.

Further reading: Blue Cross: enrichment for dogs

Choose an activity that fits today

Start with your biggest practical constraint. If you have only a few minutes, choose a time first. If you share a small home, begin with space and noise. Then narrow the list to the equipment you have. The finder offers 12 starting ideas, each with instructions, an easier version, and a setup note.

  1. Set your filters. Combine time, space, noise, and equipment. Select the items you own when using that equipment option.
  2. Open “Let’s play.” Read the whole card before choosing an activity. Check the materials and the attention it needs.
  3. Add one idea to your week. The button places it in the first empty day of your weekly planner. You can change the day’s activity or add a note there.

The labels are a starting point

Activity times are estimates for a short session, not measured results or a target your dog must reach. Space describes the setup; your dog still needs room to turn and leave comfortably. Low noise describes the game and equipment, not a promise that a dog will stay quiet.

Want more help with the setup?

Start with dog enrichment
Choose a manageable first activity and keep the challenge approachable.

Make a small room work
Think through space, surfaces, noise, and a practical indoor backup.

Use everyday equipment
Read the material checks before trying a household puzzle.

Begin a simple scent game
Keep the first find easy and adjust the search to your dog.

Check the individual fit

The finder matches practical filters. It does not assess age, health, chewing habits, or behavior. Choose a setup you can supervise, let your dog step away, and stop if the activity seems uncomfortable or frustrating. Use suitable, intact equipment and account for food within your dog’s normal allowance.

For a dog with health concerns, movement restrictions, or a prescribed diet, ask their veterinarian about suitable activities. Our puppy guide and older-dog guide explain additional considerations without replacing individual advice.

Using the finder

Do I need an account or a subscription?

No. The finder and planner are free to use without an account. Your plan is stored in this browser, on this device.

Why did all the activities disappear?

Your combination of filters may have no matches. Try allowing more time, broadening the equipment selection, or using the reset button. A match still needs your own suitability check.

Where did my activity go after I added it?

Open My week. The finder fills the first empty day, starting with Monday. If the week is full, choose a day in the planner and change its activity. The homepage and both tool pages use the same saved week in the same browser.

Can I keep a game that is not listed?

Yes. Use a day’s “Toy / play note” field in the planner for your own variation or another activity. The dropdown stays limited to the finder’s activity library.