DIY Dog Enrichment Toys For Rainy Days Inside

Many dogs love playing or just being outdoors, whether it's in their backyard or at a park. If they could speak, they'd be dishing out a lot of "please, please, please" for their owners to open the back door or grab the leash. Unfortunately, though, rain and other inclement weather can sometimes get in the way of this outdoor playtime. The good news is, there are several DIY dog enrichment toys for those rainy days that will keep your pup busy indoors. These include hide-and-seek cardboard toys, a snuffle mat, and a tug-of-war rope.

Dogs are like children in many ways, including their need for play. While some breeds tend to be more energetic than others, both puppies and adult dogs enjoy some play time on a daily basis. Creating opportunities for your pup to play also creates opportunities for them to exercise. It also offers some much-needed mental exercise for your dog to prevent boredom, and these DIY toys can do both.

If you have a few old shoe boxes or any small cardboard boxes lying around, you can convert them into hide-and-seek toys for your pooch. Just grab a few treats or pieces of their food, place them in a couple of containers, and watch as your dog sniffs around to find them. You could also tape the lids shut and create a few medium-sized holes in the boxes to create an extra challenge and keep your dog busier for longer.

As another cardboard option, consider a few toilet paper tubes. Remove any residual toilet paper bits and place a treat or two inside. Press the ends of the tube inward to close off the openings and keep the treats contained inside. Place the tubes in front of your dog's nose and toss them on the ground. Your pup will tear through each tube in pursuit of the treats. However, it's best to prevent them from eating the cardboard and be prepared for some cleanup afterward.

If you have fabric or an old towel, fleece blanket, or clothing in your closet, give it a second life by using it to make a dog toy. One option is a dog snuffle mat, which consists of pieces of fabric with loops and openings to hide dog food or treats to engage your canine's foraging instinct. Another is a tug-of-war rope. Both can be made to a size that suits your dog's size.

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For a no-sew snuffle mat option, Tiktoker Ripleyserviceaussie shows how to use a piece of cardboard as the mat. Cut holes into the cardboard with a screwdriver, spaced about an inch apart. Then, cut long, rectangular strips of fabric 1-2 inches wide and 6-9 inches long. From the bottom of the cardboard, feed one strip end into one hole and the opposite end into an adjacent hole, and tie a knot on the top side. Repeat these steps until all the holes are filled, and sprinkle a few treats on the mat.

Is your dog a tug-of-war fan? Make your own knotted rope toy! In addition to a few fabric strips, all you need is some braiding skills. Cut your fabric into strips 1-4 inches wide and the length of your choice, depending on how thick and long you want the rope. Take three strips and tie them into a knot, braid the strips, and tie another knot on the other end. You can also add a knot or two in the center if you'd like. No matter what you decide to make, your dog will thank you for some fun rainy day toys.