12 Ways to Help Keep Your Dog Entertained and Out of Trouble

Entertaining Your Dog When You Are Together

When spending time with your puppy, you can combine play and training to keep them active and mentally engaged. Even simple activities like games or puzzle toys help prevent boredom and unwanted behaviors.²

Try out a few of these games or activities:

1. Hide-and-seek

You can play this game by having a person hide and the dog has to go find them, or by hiding treats or your dog’s favorite toy and telling them to “find it.”² You can start easy by either leading your dog or puppy around the house to help them find the object, or hiding in the next room until they learn how to play the game.

2. Fetch

Fetch is a classic dog activity that comes naturally to many pups. Some dogs love chasing balls, while others prefer plush or interactive toys that bounce or move in different ways.³

If your dog doesn’t innately understand how to fetch, you may have to help them along. Hold the toy, encourage your dog to take it and reward them with praise or treats. Gradually, toss the toy a few inches away using a cue like “get it” or “fetch.” With patience and positive reinforcement, your dog will learn to enjoy the game.³

3. Tug of war

Despite the belief that playing tug of war with your dog can cause unwanted behaviors, the game actually helps your dog build confidence, promotes impulse control and strengthens your bond. Highly energetic breeds — terriers, bully breeds, herding dogs — typically like playing tug, but other dogs can find enjoyment with this activity.⁴

A few tips to follow:⁴

• Choose a toy that is an appropriate length for both you and your dog to have enough grip
• Ensure your level of tug/resistance is appropriate for the dog (keeping lighter resistance with puppies or older dogs)
• Keep sessions short (two to three sessions of 10 to 15 seconds each)
• Take turns “winning” (you tug and win; your dog tugs and wins)

4. Obstacle course

A home obstacle course can be the first step toward testing whether your dog would be interested in agility. Set up a tunnel for them to run through or place evenly-spaced upright poles for your dog to go around.⁵

5. Agility class

Dog agility is an exciting sport where you guide your dog through a timed obstacle course, relying only on your voice, cues and body language. Courses usually feature 14 to 20 obstacles — tunnels, weave poles, tire jumps, seesaws and pause tables where your dog must briefly stop — arranged in a different layout for each event.⁵ Together, you and your pup race through the course, which can encourage teamwork, communication and agility in a rewarding way. Look for classes in your area to get your dog started in this fun activity.

6. Scent work

Dogs experience much of the world through their sense of smell. Scent games let them channel that natural instinct while keeping their minds active. These activities are fun for dogs of any age and can be played even in small indoor spaces. To get started, use something motivating — food — and set up simple searches around your home:⁶

• Hide treats in empty boxes for your dog to find (make sure they are out of the room when you hide the treats).
• Put treats in a few openings of a muffin tin. Cover all of the openings with tennis balls and have your pup find the treats.
• Similar to a shell or cup game, put a treat under one of several cups and have your pup sniff it out.

7. Training

Positive reinforcement training uses rewards like treats, toys or praise to encourage desired behavior. It’s one of the most effective and enjoyable ways to teach your dog and can be used with dogs of any age.⁷

If your dog knows the basics (“sit,” “stay,” “down,” “come”), practice in increasingly more challenging environments (at a park on leash, for example). Or teach your pup fun tricks like how to shake hands.⁸

8. Car rides

Not all dogs enjoy car rides, but many pups appreciate the wind in their face, the rush of new smells and exploring a new place. Some dogs see this as quality time with their favorite human(s) and may even see it as you are all chasing something together by moving quickly at the same speed.⁹

If you do take your dog for a car ride, ensure their safety by keeping them in the back seat, using a crash-tested harness or restraint system, not opening the windows all the way and never (ever) leaving your dog in a hot car.⁹

Keeping Your Dog Entertained When Home Alone

When your dog is home alone, keeping them occupied helps prevent boredom, anxiety and unwanted behaviors. While nothing replaces quality time with you or the rest of the family, there are plenty of ways to make solo hours more enjoyable and mentally stimulating. Interactive toys, food puzzles and calming activities can help ease separation stress. And for dogs who need extra socialization or exercise, doggie day care can be a great option to break up long days and give them supervised playtime with other pups.

9. Puzzle toys

These are great if you need to keep your pup occupied while you’re busy or if it’s too cold to play outside.¹⁰

Puzzle toys can offer extra mental stimulation by making it more difficult for your dog to get to the food or treats placed in the puzzle. This can be a specially made puzzle toy purchase from a store, a toy filled with peanut butter and then frozen or something like a snuffle mat, which is a bunch of strips of fabric in a mat that your dog has to sniff and nuzzle around to get to the treats at the bottom.¹⁰

10. Dog TV or music

Many dogs respond to music and television. Research shows that pups are especially drawn to classical, reggae and soft rock music, with classical having the most calming effect, lowering anxiety, reducing vocalizations and helping them relax. Since dogs hear differently from humans, they tend to prefer instrumental pieces without extreme highs or lows.¹¹

Dogs don’t see the same colors we do, but they enjoy shows with lots of movement, shapes and hues like blue and yellow. Certain breeds, such as herding dogs, are more likely to enjoy channels like Animal Planet, DogTV on YouTube and even the animated series “Bluey,” which uses colors and patterns dogs can perceive.¹¹

You can experiment with different shows and tunes while you’re home to find out what your dog might like and what can help them stay calm when you aren’t around.¹¹

11. Dog walkers

Hiring a dog walker can be an opportunity to get your dog some midday exercise and interaction. You can find a dog walker through one of the popular pet service apps or ask your vet for recommendations. It's a good idea to interview the dog walker ahead of time and set up a “meet-n-greet” to ensure that you and your dog feel comfortable with them and it gives you the opportunity to share more about your dog's routine, walking preferences, etc.¹²

12. Doggy day care

If your puppy or dog enjoys the company of other canines and it’s financially feasible, day care is a wonderful option for keeping your pup busy and happy during the day. Your dog will get to play with other pups, get attention from humans and likely sleep very soundly when they get home.¹³

Be sure to visit the facility (or check out a couple) before deciding, taking note of:¹³

• Do the people there seem to enjoy what they do?
• Do they give the dogs breaks?
• Does the staff have any training or experience working with dogs?
• Is the facility clean?
• Is there space for your dog to relax?

The Importance of Entertaining Your Dog

Whether you’re engaging in games and training at home, setting up enrichment activities for when they’re alone or exploring options like dog walkers and day care, there are endless ways to keep your pup stimulated and content. By finding the activities your dog enjoys most, you’ll not only help prevent unwanted behaviors but also build a stronger, more trusting bond with your four-legged companion. 

CareCredit Credit Card Financing for Dogs

The CareCredit credit card provides a convenient way to pay for your dog’s vaccinations and other health and wellness expenses, including exams, medications and products at providers in the CareCredit network.* Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos. Use our Acceptance Locator to find a veterinarian that accepts CareCredit to help keep your pet healthy and happy for a lifetime of love.

In addition to pet care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Featured Video Expert Bio

Antonio Diaz, founder of Leader of the Pack K9 Training, is a professional dog trainer and behavior expert with more than a decade of experience in rewards-based balanced training and behavior rehabilitation. Known for his clear communication and ability to simplify complex behavioral concepts, he helps owners develop well-mannered dogs through relationship-based leadership. As director of education for the International Association of Canine Professionals, Antonio helps shape industry standards, professional development and ethical training practices. He also creates online courses and serves as a canine subject matter expert for CareCredit.

Author Bio

Abbie Mood is a freelance writer with more than 15 years of experience. She has worked with clients of all sizes to create compelling content and she has written for the American Kennel Club, Marriott Bonvoy, Women’s Health Online, Headspace and more.