Indoor Scent Games for Dogs: Easy Rainy-Day Ideas

Rain at the window, muddy shoes by the door and a dog wondering what happens next. An indoor scent game gives their nose a little job to do without turning the living room into an obstacle course.

Start with an easy search for a few pieces of their usual food, a loosely rolled towel or a favourite toy. You do not need to buy a puzzle. The useful part is letting your dog search and succeed, rather than making the hiding place fiendishly clever.

Before you start: keep the first game simple

• Choose a quiet, clear area where your dog can move comfortably without slipping.
• Put away cleaning products, loose rubbish and anything you do not want investigated.
• Set aside a small portion of your dog's daily food before you begin. If you use treats, count those too.
• Play with one dog at a time, with other pets safely elsewhere.
• Stay nearby and watch throughout. Homemade games are supervised activities.

These are ideas for everyday play. Follow any feeding or exercise instructions your own vet has given you. Indoor searching adds variety to the day; it does not provide everything a dog needs from suitable exercise, outdoor sniffing, company and rest.

Game 1: an easy food search

This is the simplest place to begin. A clear patch of clean floor is enough.

1. Let your dog watch you place one piece of their usual food on the floor nearby.
2. Allow them to find and eat it. You can use a friendly cue such as “find it”.
3. Repeat with a few pieces spaced slightly apart, keeping every piece easy to reach.
4. Once the idea is familiar, spread the pieces across a slightly wider area.

If your dog looks puzzled, show them an easy piece rather than repeating the cue more loudly. Make one change at a time: a wider search area or a less obvious position, rather than both together.

Keep food away from electrical cables, gaps under appliances and furniture your dog would have to squeeze beneath. There is no prize for finding a biscuit behind the washing machine.

Game 2: the loose towel roll

PDSA describes a snuffle roll made with a towel or blanket. Use this only if your dog can investigate fabric without chewing or swallowing it.

1. Lay a clean towel flat on the floor.
2. Add a few pieces of food, then roll the towel very loosely so they are simple to uncover.
3. Let your dog sniff and nudge the roll while you supervise.
4. If they cannot work out how to reach the food, open the towel further.

Keep it loose and straightforward. Do not tie knots or leave your dog alone with it. If fabric becomes something to bite and pull apart, end this game and use the clear-floor search instead. Put the towel away afterwards.

Game 3: find a familiar toy

Food is not the only option. For a dog who enjoys toys, a familiar favourite can be the thing they search for.

1. Show your dog the toy and place it in an obvious spot a short distance away.
2. Invite them to find it, then enjoy a brief game together when they do.
3. Next time, place it partly out of sight but still easy to reach.
4. Build gradually towards a simple hiding place in the same room.

Keep the toy somewhere your dog is allowed to investigate. Avoid climbing, jumping between furniture or pulling things off shelves. If they stop searching, bring the toy back into view and make the next round easier. You are playing together, not testing whether your dog can solve a mystery unaided.

Keep the food total in view

Using part of the usual daily ration keeps the game easy to account for. Put the game's portion in a small container first, then use only what you set aside. Other people in the household need to know that this food has already been counted.

If you use extra treats, include them in the day's total rather than adding an invisible bonus meal. For choosing small rewards and keeping track of them, see our guide to choosing training treats.

Know when the game is finished

Watch your dog rather than the clock. Keep early attempts brief and easy. If they lose interest, walk away or start struggling to reach the reward, pause or simplify the task. A harder puzzle is not automatically a better game.

Finish after an easy find, clear away food and equipment, and give your dog the choice to rest. You can return to the same simple game another day. There is no need to invent a new level every time the forecast looks gloomy.

Your rainy-day checklist

• One clear, safe space and one dog at a time.
• A small food portion already counted, or a familiar toy.
• An easy first find that your dog can reach.
• Supervision throughout, especially with towels.
• One small increase in difficulty only when the current version is easy.
• A clear finish, a tidy floor and time to rest.

Reviewed: 12 November 2026