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Is your bored Collie driving you up the wall? Here are 10 low-to-no-cost games and activities to keep them occupied without leaving your property, using things you probably already have on hand. (This post was first written during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdowns, but the ideas work any time you’re stuck at home: rainy days, heat waves, recovery rest, or busy weeks.) Watching the video montage should give you some inspiration, and reading the post will give more details.
Quick answer: Collies need mental exercise as much as physical exercise. Cheap or free games like hide and seek, tug, hidden-object and scent games, homemade puzzles, chase, DIY busy chews and short trick-training sessions can tire out a bored Collie at home. Mix a few into each day, keep sessions short and fun, and always supervise homemade toys.
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Why Collies Need Games and Mental Exercise
Collies were bred to work with people, and a bored Collie often finds its own entertainment: barking, pacing, chewing, or herding the kids and the cat. A few minutes of brain work (sniffing, problem-solving, learning something new) can settle a dog as well as a long walk. The best games are the ones you play together, since most Collies care more about your attention than about any toy. For more on boredom and attention-seeking, see Tips for the Bored, Attention-Seeking Dog.
#1
Hide and Seek (with items)
This is fun to play with a favorite toy, treats, or just bits of kibble if you’re watching your dog’s waistline. Put your dog in a separate room, then hide the treats in accessible locations. Let them out and tell them, “Find the treats!” This can also be done outside. As animal behaviorist Julie Bond says, “Both dogs and cats like to sniff and explore, so simply spreading out their food or snacks in your grass allows them to use their noses as nature intended.” You may have to give them hints when you first introduce this game, but eventually they’ll be finding all the hidden goodies on their own like a pro!
Johanna Korvela from Sweden combines trick training, nosework, and hide and seek (see video) to keep her Collie Melker’s brain engaged. She said, “I highly recommend nosework; it can also be a toy or food hidden in the house or in objects. Let the imagination go wild, and the Internet is a big help, too! Trick training can be done anywhere and is fun for both dog and owner.”
#2
Hide and Seek (with people)
If you have more than one person living in your household, you can hide or have someone else hide indoors or outside. It’s the same process as with concealing treats, except you’re telling the dog, “Go Find Hanka!” or whoever. (Some of you may get that old kids’ book reference.) It doesn’t have to be elaborate: a good hiding place can just be standing in a closet or behind an open door. This is a great one to play with kids and dogs simultaneously. Kids love to be the hiders and have the dogs find them!
You can even tag team the hiding! Said Kristan Neubecker, Collie owner and proprietor of Pets and Purrs Barkery, “We play the ‘come find me’ game: one human somewhere hidden calls, and the dogs go to that person while the other human hides. After they find the first human, the second says, ‘come find me!’…” You can repeat this cycle as often as you want, or until the dogs are sufficiently worn out.
#3
Tug
Collies love tug! A tug rope is great, but you can even make your own tug toy with an old handtowel, washcloth, or knotted sock. Most dogs aren’t too picky; they just want something they can sink their teeth into. Emily Sowulewski, who wrote this post, would usually start a game with her exuberant little female Collie, Yoshi, and then her big boy Gustav (who has since passed away) would join in. If he took over as nanny dog, her job was done. Also, Collies tend to have a weird love of paper products, and Emily’s often play tug with (and simultaneously shred) paper towel rolls and cardboard boxes!
#4
These are a little more interactive than your standard hide and seek, requiring personal human involvement. “Which Hand” is a classroom favorite recommendation from professional animal trainer Julie Bond:
Ask your dog to sit, and show them that you have a treat. Move your hands behind your back and switch the treat from hand to hand. Offer your dog two closed fists and have them bump your fist with their nose or a paw to try to find the treat. If they pick the wrong hand, that’s okay – just try it again!
Julie also recommends the shell game for both canines and felines. It’s a variation of that old “follow the pea” sleight of hand circus trick; but no worries – you don’t have to be a magician for this to be fun! Your pet will be relying on their nose more than their eyes, anyway. You just need three cups placed upside down. Let your pet see you put a treat under one and mix them all around. Then, with their nose or paw, have them select which cup hides the treat. (Clever Smooth Collie @wow.its.westley modeled this game quite nicely in the Collie Tricks video.)
#5
Fetch
Fetch is great for the younger, more energetic doggos like Emily’s Yoshi. Oddly, she will only play fetch indoors, perhaps because there are far more exciting things to do outside? When Emily throws a ball or squeaky toy down the hallway, Yoshi goes bouncing after it and brings it back so they can do it again! (Her theme song is Tigger’s song, swapped out for her name. She loves it when Emily sings it to her – or so Emily tells herself.) You can also put a ball in a sock for an added level of fun.
#6
Homemade Puzzles
A well-rinsed milk jug or water bottle with the plastic ring removed can make a great homemade puzzle toy. Emily usually puts cat kibble into a water container and cuts small holes in the sides to make a treat dispenser, and this keeps her pups occupied for a while as they nudge it with nose and paws or pick it up and shake it – depending on their styles. Just be sure to supervise and make sure your dog is only eating the contents, not the containers. Puzzle dishes can also be created with an old muffin tin and tennis balls (whole or cut in half) as covers for the holes. Many owners also like DIY snuffle mats and snuffle balls made with strips of fleece fabric.
Jessica Coupland, owner of a Collie/Husky/Great Pyrenees mix and a rambunctious young Beagle, suggested getting a foam or more challenging plastic egg carton (like those used by Eggland’s Best) and filling it with kibble, apple sauce, egg, yogurt, peanut butter, or any healthy treat! “My Beagle puppy is incredibly high-energy, and anything that gets that nose working does wonders to help tire her out,” she said. When it comes to Pearson, “He thankfully has calmed some, but I have done a lot of things like this with him.”
#7
Chase
Again, this is one of Yoshi’s favorite games. Simply sending your dogs into the backyard isn’t always enough entertainment. Collies love to have their people interact with them, so sometimes Emily goes outside and chases (or pretends to chase) Yoshi around. Mostly she just feints and lunges from side to side, and Yoshi runs around her in happy circles, barking like a fool. For those who prefer to stay put, you might enjoy using a flirt pole such as the Squishy Face Studio Flirt Pole V2 (fairly easy to make with string, stick, and toy) that will allow you to remain relatively stationary while your dog does the work. If you’re fleetfooted and spry, you can mix things up by running and letting them tag you for a change.
#8
DIY “Busy” Treats and Chews
Chews are great when you need something to keep your dogs busy that will require less input from you, so your Collie won’t be bumping your elbow with their long nose while you’re trying to type or yapping at you while you’re on a call… (No that I’ve experienced those things, obviously.)
Collie mom Kristan said, “A fully stuffed Kong in a sock will keep them busy for a good while trying to figure it out.” Julie Bond recently wrote an excellent post containing recipes for making your own Kong filling and other homemade, healthy dog snacks like pumpkin/carrot treats and yogurt-based “pupsicles.” Also, peanut butter (xylitol-free of course!) works great in an old marrow bone in place of a Kong or smeared on the ends of a well-chewed antler.
#9
Train New Things
Training done right (positively reinforced with lots of praise, treats, pets, or butt rubs) should be fun for you and your pup! Collies love to be challenged, and any novel command can be a game. To stay occupied, Collie mom Lora Schasel said, “We’ve been practicing agility (threadles and wraps), obedience (off-leash heeling with good eye contact and nice straight fronts), rear end awareness with perch work, and finishing up an online canine fitness course.” Chevy Manchester, owner of blue merle Collie Rocco, said she has “Just been polishing up some obedience and starting to teach ‘back up,’ because he is CLUMSY and needs better awareness of himself!”
Ciara, an Old Time Scotch Collie, has won multiple “Trick Dog” awards and is generally a very accomplished canine. Lara Sullivan has worked extensively with Ciara in “Treiball,” an ideal activity for herding breeds, and Ciara has learned how to “go to counter” on a ball (see video) and push it to Lara with her nose. She also excels at impulse control games, maintaining a down-stay while Lara “uses chopsticks to move kibble from one bowl to another.” Emily’s Collies could do this, but it would probably be torture for her Aussie mix Freckles and she might snap under the strain… Food is the center of her universe!
#10
Walks
If you can leave your property, never underestimate the power of a walk! When you can’t go far (during the 2020 lockdowns, neighborhood walks were about all many people could do), more frequent, slower “sniffari” walks where your dog sets the pace and gets to sniff can be just as satisfying as a long hike. (Download the ResQWalk app to convert your steps into donations toward the animal rescue organization of your choice. Rescues can always use the boost!)
Dog trainer and Collie owner Julie Bond said, “If you are out there walking your dogs, please please PLEASE let them sniff. Sniffing is their favorite activity! It expends energy, stimulates their brains, and reduces anxiety. So what if you only get 2 blocks on your walk? Your dog got to catch up on all the neighborhood goings-on, because you let them sniff out the information left behind.”
Bonus
Treibball (Urban Herding)
Treibball is a herding-inspired sport where dogs push large balls into a goal, and herding breeds tend to take to it naturally. The AKC has a beginner guide to treibball games at home. Start by rewarding your dog for touching a big ball with its nose, then for pushing it a little, then for pushing it between two “goal posts” like boxes or buckets. A large exercise ball works to start; see the herding picks in Our Top 20 Recommended Toys for Collies for sturdier options.
Bonus
Scent Games
Sniffing is tiring in the best way. Try the “box search”: set out a few empty boxes, hide a treat in one, and let your dog find it. Or make a muffin-tin puzzle: put treats in a few cups, cover every cup with a tennis ball, and let your dog figure out which balls to move. As your dog improves, hide treats around a room at different heights. Use part of your dog’s daily food so you don’t overdo the treats.
How Much Play Does a Collie Need?
Every dog is different. Rough and Smooth Collies are usually moderate-energy dogs that are happy with a daily walk plus some play and training, while Border Collies and young dogs need much more (see Is a Border Collie a Good House Dog?). Several short sessions of 5 to 15 minutes spread through the day usually work better than one long one, especially for puppies. If your dog is restless, destructive or vocal, add more brain games before adding more running.
Safety Tips
- Supervise homemade toys and puzzles, and make sure your dog eats only the treats, not the bottles, boxes or paper.
- Keep play sessions short in hot weather, and avoid hard surfaces and steep jumps for puppies and seniors.
- Skip laser pointers, which can trigger obsessive light- and shadow-chasing in some herding dogs.
- Check that a game suits your dog’s age, health and any medical restrictions from your vet.
* Bonus Resources
You can always make long-distance Collie friends online. Much of the information in this article was gleaned from the international Rough Collies Facebook group. Even if you don’t normally do social media, it’s worth joining this online forum of Collie lovers, owners, breeders, and trainers from around the world. Emily has asked many a question there and always received helpful replies!
If you’re not already doing so, follow Julie C. Bond on Facebook (@K9freud on Instagram) or check out her blog! She is a qualified expert, so for behavior questions her advice goes beyond what an owner can share from experience with their own dogs. She is also available for “distance learning” and video chats if you want to keep up on your dog’s training or have questions about behavior modification for your pet.
For toys you can order online, see our blog post specifically on favorite Collie-approved items.
Frequently Asked Questions
What games can I play with my Collie indoors?
Hide and seek, hidden-object and scent games, tug, hallway fetch, homemade puzzles and short trick-training sessions all work indoors.
How do you mentally stimulate a Collie?
Give it problems to solve and things to learn: scent games, puzzle toys, new tricks, and herding-style games like treibball. A few short sessions a day add up.
Do Collies get bored easily?
Many do, especially young dogs. Collies are smart and people-oriented, so a lack of attention or activity can show up as barking, chewing or pacing.
What are cheap enrichment ideas for dogs?
Cardboard boxes and paper rolls stuffed with treats, a muffin tin with tennis balls, a water bottle treat dispenser, a towel for snuffling, and DIY frozen chews.
Can Collies play treibball?
Yes. It’s a herding-inspired sport, and Collies and other herding breeds often enjoy it. Start with nose targeting a large ball and build up slowly.
Have any game or activity ideas you didn’t see on this list? Feel free to mention them in the comments below!
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Good ideas
I have a fun trick
I put a treat in my hand behind my back- I say “back”.
Of course nothing happens. Slide your arm further around behind your back so your collie can see your hand – wiggle the treat so they notice(yes still with your arm behind your back – but Hand slightly Sticking out for them to see)
Wiggle until they see it and come for it.
Next time you say “back” – hand already behind your back – they usually look around. Wiggle your treat – do this several times and soon they will be at your back before you finish saying “back”
Just teach one dog then you can cue that one “back” then next one “hunt” the next one “dance” – etc. Everybody will have a trick.
I like this! ? Thanks, Pati!
Our collie loves playing “hose”. Literally standing in the lawn with the hose nozzle intermittently squirting in different spots while he chases it. Tires him out no end. We also play a game involving multiple footballs (soccer balls) where we kick them around different areas and he runs around gathering them up. He’s an excellent defender!
I can picture this in my head, and it made me smile! My youngest Collie also loves to battle the hose water. Footballs (soccer balls) are also a good time for Vakaa!
Side note on your usage of football: I’m not sure where you’re from, but personally I think “football” as we use it here in the States doesn’t make much sense. What we refer to as a “football” really spends very little time in contact with feet. 🙃 Yet another odd way we insist on being different here in the US, I suppose!