Keep the first attempt simple. Let your pet choose whether to engage, and use their response to decide what to try next.
Set it up
Choose one short searching game, one easy training skill and a quiet settling period. Clear a non-slip area and use familiar equipment. Indoor enrichment works best when it does not become nonstop stimulation.
Make it work for your pet
Try a few hand targets, a visible food search and then a rest break. Watch what your dog enjoys and shorten anything that becomes frustrating. Repeat later if they are interested rather than making a single long session.
Keep it comfortable and safe
Avoid slippery running, jumping from furniture and rough play in cramped rooms. Indoor games complement appropriate exercise; they do not replace an individual dog’s movement and toileting needs.
A quick review afterwards
Notice what your pet chose, what they avoided and what made the task easier. Keep one useful observation for next time rather than trying to perfect everything in a single day. A routine you can repeat calmly is more valuable than an elaborate setup that becomes another chore.
Further reading: ASPCA: canine enrichment. This is broader background reading; the checklist above is Pawno’s own editorial guidance.