The Great Indoor Sniffari: Keeping Your Dog Busy When It’s Miserable Outside

The rain is coming down sideways. Your dog has inspected the weather from the doorway and decided that, actually, they don’t need to go out quite yet.

Then, ten minutes later, they’re following you around the house looking for entertainment.

Sound familiar?

Colder weather can mean more time indoors, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had. With a few treats, a little imagination and a willing nose, your living room can become the setting for a great indoor sniffari.

Let their nose lead the way

An indoor sniffari is simply a chance for your dog to explore and search using their nose. You don’t need fancy equipment or a huge house—just a safe space and something worth finding.

Start with an easy game of “find it.” Let your dog watch as you place a few pieces of their usual kibble or suitable treats around a room. Keep them in obvious, accessible spots, then give your dog a cue to search.

Once they understand the game, gradually make the hiding places a little trickier. Try beside a chair leg or behind a cushion placed on the floor. Keep everything within easy reach, away from electrical cords and places you don’t want your dog investigating later.

The aim is a satisfying little adventure, so help them out if they get stuck.

Play hide-and-seek—with you

If your dog enjoys following you everywhere, put that enthusiasm to work.

Ask someone to stay with them while you hide nearby, then call their name. Start somewhere easy so they can succeed quickly. When they find you, celebrate with praise, a favorite toy or a small treat.

You don’t need to disappear into the back of a wardrobe. Standing behind an open door can be quite enough excitement for the first round.

Give an old toy a new job

Before buying another toy, take a look at what’s already in the cupboard.

Put a few toys away and bring them out again on another day. Try a short game with a forgotten favorite, or use a suitable food puzzle according to its instructions.

Supervise play and choose items that suit your dog’s size and chewing habits. If your dog tends to shred and swallow fabric, cardboard or toy pieces, skip homemade puzzles made from those materials.

Teach one tiny thing

A rainy afternoon is a good opportunity to practice a simple skill: touching their nose to your hand, settling on a mat or finding a named toy.

Keep it short, reward small successes and finish while your dog is still enjoying themselves. Some days, one happy attempt is plenty.

Use part of their normal food allowance for games where practical, so an afternoon of entertainment doesn’t turn into an extra meal.

Make room for doing nothing

You don’t have to become your dog’s full-time entertainment director every time it rains.

After a little play, offer a quiet place to settle and let them choose whether they want company or space. A familiar bed, a peaceful corner and you nearby can make for a very good afternoon.

Indoor games can add variety to a gloomy day alongside your dog’s usual toilet breaks and whatever outdoor activity the conditions safely allow.

A little adventure, closer to home

At Hamish & Boyo, we love the everyday moments of life with dogs—even when the weather cancels our plans.

Sometimes the best adventure is a woodland walk. Sometimes it’s finding three pieces of kibble behind an armchair, followed by a very comfortable nap.

Does your dog have a favorite rainy-day game? Share it with us on Instagram and tag @hamishandboyo—we’d love to see your indoor sniffari.