Three indoor exercises to keep your dog's brain busy

When the weather's truly grim, it's handy to have a few alternative ways to keep your dog active indoors. Your dog still needs its daily walk outside, of course, but indoor activities can reduce the time you need to spend out in bad weather. Here are three exercises you and your dog can try together.

Exercise 1: Hide and seek

Grab a favourite toy your dog loves. Let your dog see and sniff it. Ask your dog to sit and wait. While they're waiting, go and hide the toy. When you return, tell your dog to 'search'. Encourage them during the search, and have a play when they find it!

Exercise 2: Treat hunt

This is an exercise you can gradually make more challenging as your dog gets the hang of it.

For the first session, scatter a few treats on the floor and let your dog find them. Once your dog understands the game, start hiding treats in trickier spots – perhaps at different heights, under objects, or in corners. To make it a little easier at first, limit the search to one room or part of a room.

Vary the search area and find new hiding places regularly, so your dog doesn't just learn your usual spots.

Exercise 3: Puzzle toys

There are various toys designed to get your dog thinking while they work for treats. You can also use your dog's regular food, scattering it on a snuffle mat or hiding portions around a room.

Here are a few examples of toys and items you can use for brain-boosting fun:

• Snuffle mats

• Lickimats

• Egg boxes

• Kongs

• Plastic bottles (ensure they're safe)

• Snuffle mats

• A tray with items

• A box with various objects