Just thought I'd share one of our tried and true indoor games, which Oatmeal loves and really seems to wear him out considering the time input involved! The only reason I say for a small dog is the logistics involved might be kind of difficult with a large dog.

So Oatmeal is a small, sporty little dog who loves to play Big Game Hunter. We have a small stuffed octopus with a squeaker in it, so this game is called Peekaboo Octopus.

I sit on the bed, with a big blanket draped over my lap, so I'm underneath it and Oatmeal is on top. Octopus in one hand, I move my hands underneath the blanket like a little animal moving around under the snow. Sometimes I squeak the octopus, or leave it silent for more of a challenge.

Then, I peek the octopus around one edge of the blanket, real slow. He's been looking at both hands, trying to figure out which one to get, so it may take him a second before he spots the octopus peeking out from under the covers.

Then, he strikes. He makes a leap for the octopus, very much like this only not quite so dramatic! But alas, the octopus gets away under the covers again! Which way did he go this time??

He'll dive back and forth across the bed, sometimes digging up the covers, sometimes burrowing underneath them, sometimes catching the octopus and then whipping it around to kill it before waiting for me to hide it again.

It's a very fun way to channel his hunting instinct and he goes nuts for it. He's small enough that jumping around on the bed isn't a problem and my armspan beneath the covers is wide enough to give him a fun chase game between the two hands, trying to guess which one is the real octopus. He's panting before long and ready for a rest after successfully bagging the octopus a few times!

It's hilarious watching him listen for the squeak and diving onto your hand under the covers, trying to dig through to catch it.

Thought I would share in case any of you have small playful dogs who might enjoy a game like that! It's perfect for late night zoomies, getting some extra stimulation on those really bad weather days (of which we have a fair amount during Canadian winters!), or just some extra fun.

If you try it, hope your dog loves it like Oatmeal does!