22 Best Dog Activities When Home Alone

You promise you’ll be back soon. Maybe toss a chew toy or two. But as the door clicks shut, you can already guess what’s going through their mind.

Dogs are social. They’re built for movement, play, socialization, and connection. When left alone for too long without anything to do, they don’t just nap the day away. They get bored. And that boredom? It can turn into anxiety, excess energy, and some creative behavior choices. Think chewed furniture, scratched doors, or pacing that never stops.

Not everyone works from home. You might not have the time or budget for daily dog walking to your local dog park, trail adventures, or one-on-one training sessions. That’s okay.

With the right mix of simple tools and clever ideas, you can keep your dog active, stimulated, and even content while you’re gone.

Below, you’ll find 22 low-effort activities that tackle boredom, support healthy behavior, and give your dog a better outlet for their energy. Some help with mental health. Others with physical exercise. A few even support long-term dog training.

22 Fun and Easy Dog Activities for Solo Time

Not every dog is wired the same. Some chase tennis balls like it’s a full-time job. Others chew through a cardboard box and call it enrichment. And while you can’t tailor every hour of their day, you can set them up with the right activities to stay calm, occupied, and less likely to bark their way through your absence.

The list below is meant to be flexible. Test a few. Rotate weekly. See what clicks.

Whether you’re dealing with separation anxiety, too much energy, or just want to improve their day-to-day quality of life, these activities can support your dog’s health, behavior, and sense of comfort while they’re home alone.

1. Stuffed Treats: Freeze peanut butter, broth, or kibble inside a durable dog toy like WetMutt Dog Toy - Ball. Slows down eating, soothes chewing urges, and encourages problem solving.
2. Puzzle Toys: Makes your puppy think before getting the reward. Good for brain work, calming stress, and building patience.
3. Window Watching Perch: Set up a soft Bowsers Oslo Ortho Bed or Paw PupChill™ Cooling Waterproof Blanket near a window with activity. Helps satisfy their need to observe and lowers anxiety and promotes relaxation.
4. TV or Dog-Friendly YouTube: Leave on a nature video or calming pet channel. Adds noise, visual movement, and distraction from loneliness.
5. Snuffle Mats: Sprinkle treats or dry dog food in the folds. Taps into natural foraging instincts and boosts their sense of smell.
6. Lick Mats: Spread a soft treat on a textured mat. Encourages slow licking, which is naturally calming and supports digestion.
7. Rotating Toys: Cycle a few toys at a time. Keeps things fresh, limits boredom, and stops every toy from being ignored after day two.
8. Chew Bones or Antlers: Choose safe options based on your dog’s size. Ideal for puppies, teething, and active dogs who crave jaw work.
9. Dog-Safe Ball Launchers: Automatic tennis ball throwers for solo fetch. Great for breeds like the German Shepherd, who need to stay moving.
10. Frozen Carrot or Apple Slices: Easy to prep and loaded with crunch. A healthy, hydrating chew that helps with teeth and cooling down.
11. Scavenger Hunt: Hide dog treats around the house. Triggers their nose, gets them moving, and prevents pacing or barking.
12. Doggy Radio: Play classical music or calm voices. Soothes separation anxiety in dogs and fills the silence with low-stimulation noise.
13. Self-Fetch Toys: Some toys reset themselves. For dogs who learn patterns quickly, it’s endless solo tug of war or fetch.
14. Comforting Clothing: Leave a worn shirt in their bed area. Smells like you. Lowers stress and creates a familiar sense of place.
15. Doggy Daydream Window Decals: Stick decals of animals or shapes near their perch. Safe visual interest for dogs that thrive on environmental changes.
16. Interactive Cameras with Treat Dispensers: Let them see and hear you. Toss a treat, say hello, and check their behavior while you’re gone.
17. DIY Muffin Tin Game: Drop treats into a muffin tin and cover each with a tennis ball. Engages nose, paws, and problem solving skills.
18. Towel Burrito Treat Roll-Up: Wrap treats in a towel like a burrito. Makes them sniff, paw, and dig. Cheap, easy, and fun.
19. Hide-and-Seek with Toys: Place favorite toys around the house, behind cushions, under tables, or near a mat. Triggers search behaviors.
20. Safe Indoor Digging Box: Fill a cardboard box with shredded paper, toys, or plastic bottle pieces. For dogs who dig, this beats your sofa cushions.
21. Scented Bubble Play: Use puppy-safe bubbles scented like bacon or peanut butter. Stimulates their sense of smell and gives light movement.
22. Create a Chill Zone: Use soft textures, calming sprays, and white noise to build a comfortable corner. Especially helpful for dogs with separation anxiety.

Use the activities that match your dog’s temperament and routine. One might work well in the morning. Another after their meal. Some will help with dog training, while others simply create a quieter, calmer environment.

Should You Change Activities Daily or Stick With a Few?

There’s no perfect formula. But variety does help.

Dogs thrive on routine. Same meal times. Same walks. Same napping spots. But that doesn’t mean they want the exact same activities every single day. If you’ve tossed the same frisbee 50 times in a row, you already know how quickly some dogs check out.

That said, they don’t get bored the way we do. A game of fetch still lights them up, even after two periods of doing it every afternoon. What matters is engagement. And that often comes from switching things up just enough to keep it interesting.

Choose three or four activities your puppy enjoys most. Rotate them across the week. Then, once a week, add one new thing to test. Maybe a new scent toy. Or something you saw at the pet store. Even a frozen yogurt treat.

You don’t need a full calendar of enrichment ideas. Just enough to balance consistency with curiosity. That balance helps with mental health, stress, and reduces the chance of destructive behavior.

Think of it like any other sport. Repetition builds skill. Variety builds focus. And both keep things from falling apart when you’re not home.

If you’re gone long or regularly, a small hiking trip or pet first aid course might be worth looking into.

Not All Dogs Like Being Alone and That’s Okay

Some dogs do just fine on their own. Others don’t.

Separation anxiety isn’t always loud or dramatic. It might look like pacing. Or skipping meals. Or chewing through a pillow while you’re out. And while solo activities can help, they’re not a magic fix for every pooch.

Some need a bit more support. That might mean crate training to build comfort in quiet time. Or bringing in a walker to break up long hours. In some cases, a few days of daycare each week gives your dog the structure and social time they’re missing.

It’s also okay to ask someone to drop by. A neighbor. A relative. Even a dog grooming appointment can help break up the day.

Rescue dogs and those raised during lockdown often need more practice being alone. It takes time to teach them that silence isn’t a threat.

And like people, dogs need a balance. Mental exercise, social time, and rest. A mix of games to play with dogs inside, short walks, and an outdoor play area for dogs can keep the mind active and reduce stress-related behaviors.

Left unchecked, long days alone can lead to weight gain, anxiety, or even obesity. But the goal isn’t perfection. Just a better, calmer life over time.

Which of These 22 Activities Fits Your Dog?

Every dog has their own rhythm. Some race around the house like they’ve had three cups of coffee. Others nap like it’s a competitive sport.

So take a step back. Think about what kind of pet you’re working with. Is your dog more anxious or independent? Do they need constant stimulation, or are they content with a favorite toy and some background noise?

Not all 22 ideas are going to be a perfect match. And that’s fine.

Try picking two or three this week. See what grabs their attention. Rotate things slowly and watch how your puppy reacts. You might find that a little indoor exercise for dogs in the morning makes your evenings a lot easier. Or that simple games to play with your dog inside lead to less barking and better rest.