Menu

For wet walks and soggy afternoons

Five indoor exercises for your dog on a rainy day

When it is too wet to go out, five to ten minutes of slow, controlled exercise on a non-slip rug keeps your dog's muscles working and their brain busy, without the sprints and sharp turns of chasing a ball.

Check with your vet or a qualified canine physiotherapist before trying exercises with a dog that is recovering from injury or surgery, or has a known health condition. Use a non-slip surface. Stop if your dog seems sore, lame or unwilling.

Kirsty Skeates walking her dog Tui along a riverside path in autumn

Raining again?

Today's five

Gentle, low-impact and done on a rug in your living room. Tap a card, count your reps, tick it off.

0 of 5 done today

1Sit to stand5 slow reps

Builds strength in the back legs and core, a little like a squat.

  1. Stand in front of your dog on a non-slip rug or mat.
  2. Ask for a sit, then lure them up into a stand with a treat held at nose height.
  3. Go slowly. A straight, square sit matters more than speed.
2Cookie stretch3 each side

A gentle stretch for the neck and back that keeps them supple.

  1. With your dog standing, hold a treat by their nose.
  2. Slowly move it towards their shoulder, then their hip, so they bend to follow it.
  3. Hold for a count of three, then do the other side. Skip this one if your dog has a neck or back problem.
3Square stand3 holds

Encourages your dog to share their weight evenly across all four legs.

  1. Ask your dog to stand with all four feet square underneath them.
  2. Reward them for staying still and balanced.
  3. Build up from 5 seconds to 15 seconds over a few days.
4Slow figure of eight4 loops

Gentle weaving that works both sides of the body evenly.

  1. Place two cushions or chairs about two metres apart.
  2. On lead, walk your dog slowly in a figure of eight around them.
  3. Keep it to a calm walking pace, never a trot.
5Find it1 round of 5 to 10 treats

Sniffing is tiring in the best way, with no impact on joints.

  1. Ask your dog to wait while you hide a few treats around one room.
  2. Say "find it" and let them search at their own pace.
  3. Start easy and make the hiding places harder as they improve.

Safety first. Check with your vet or a qualified canine physiotherapist before trying exercises with a dog that is recovering from injury or surgery, or has a known health condition. Use a non-slip surface. Stop if your dog seems sore, lame or unwilling.

Why not just throw a ball?

Repeated ball chasing means sudden sprints, sharp turns and hard stops, which can strain joints and soft tissue over time. After five years running a canine hydrotherapy and rehabilitation clinic, I would always rather see a dog sniffing, stretching and moving slowly with control.

If you run a pet business, these are also the kind of practical, expert answers that get your website quoted by Google and AI tools. See how we help you write them.

Rainy-day exercise FAQs

What exercises can I do with my dog indoors when it is raining?

Low-impact exercises such as sit to stand, cookie stretches, square stands, a slow figure of eight on lead and scent games like find it. Do them on a non-slip surface and keep them slow.

Is ball throwing good exercise for dogs?

Repeated ball throwing involves sudden sprints, sharp turns and hard stops, which can put strain on joints and soft tissue. Many canine rehabilitation professionals recommend calmer games, such as scent work, instead.

How long should indoor exercise sessions be?

Short sessions of 5 to 10 minutes, once or twice a day, suit most dogs. Stop while your dog is still keen, and stop straight away if they seem sore.

Are these exercises safe for older dogs?

Many older dogs enjoy them, but check with your vet or a qualified canine physiotherapist first if your dog has arthritis, a recent injury or any other condition.