Looking for new ways to keep your dog entertained in the garden?
At Bark Boutique, we believe the strongest bonds are built through regular play and positive training between dogs and their owners.
Outdoor play isn’t just great for burning energy, it’s also brilliant for mental stimulation, building skills, and strengthening your bond.
From twisty fetch games to splashy summer fun, here are 10 easy and exciting toy games to turn your garden into a fun and engaging place to keep your dog entertained and engaged.
1. Classic Fetch With a Twist
Fetch is a timeless classic, but it doesn’t have to be the same old game every time.
Mix things up by using different types of toys like bouncing balls, flying discs, or erratic rollers that zigzag unpredictably across the grass. These variations keep your dog guessing and make each throw a little more exciting.
Try switching between a squeaky ball, a textured rubber toy, or a DOOG stick. Levi’s currently obsessed with the Incredible Stalk DOOG Stick.
2. Tug of War Time
Few games get dogs more pumped than a good old fashioned game of tug of war.
Grab a strong rope or dedicated tug toy and let your dog go head to head with you in a friendly battle of strength and determination.
It’s brilliant for burning energy, building muscle, and even improving impulse control.
This is a good time to teach your dog the ‘drop it’ command and improve their obedience.
3. Hide the Toy
If your dog’s got a good sniffer (and let’s be honest, most do), this game is a brilliant way to tap into their natural instincts.
Simply hide their favourite toy somewhere in the garden, behind a plant pot, under a bush, or even inside an old cardboard box and encourage them to go find it.
To make things even more exciting, try using scent based toys or rubbing a treat on the toy beforehand. You can also hide a treat with the toy as a little reward when they find it.
4. Agility Toy Challenge
Turn your garden into a DIY agility course with a toy focused twist. Use broomsticks balanced on plant pots for weave poles, pop some toys at various stations, and guide your dog through the course.
At each checkpoint, get them to interact with a toy, whether it’s fetching, tugging, or even just sniffing it out. It’s a great way to build your dog’s confidence, improve focus, and add a fun structure to their playtime.
5. Toy Toss & Retrieve Race
For dogs with boundless energy and a competitive streak, this one’s a winner. Take two different toys and toss them in opposite directions. Then encourage your pup to fetch one, bring it back, and race off for the second.
It’s great for improving recall, focus, and adding a bit of variety to your usual game of fetch. Perfect for those speedy pups like Levi, who never met a race he didn’t try to win (even if Poppy isn’t playing!).
6. Squeaky Toy Relay
Ready, set, squeak.
Line up a few of your dog’s favourite toys across the garden, squeaky ones work brilliantly for this. Challenge your dog to bring them back one at a time. It’s a fun way to burn energy while encouraging focus and problem solving.
You can level it up by adding simple training commands like “drop,” “wait,” or “leave it” between each fetch. It becomes a fun game and a great way to reinforce obedience.
7. Dig for the Toy (Sensory Game)
If your dog’s a digger, this one’s a game changer. Create a digging zone using a shallow sandbox, a garden bed, or even a large plant pot filled with soft soil or sand. Bury a toy or two just beneath the surface and encourage your dog to dig it out.
It’s a safe, enriching way to let your dog indulge their natural digging instincts without sacrificing your flower beds.
8. Catch That Toy
A quick and simple game that’s great for reaction time and coordination. Use a soft, lightweight toy and gently toss it for your dog to catch mid-air. Start low and easy, then mix up the height and direction as your pup gets the hang of it.
Perfect for a short burst of fun, especially on days when your dog needs to burn off a bit of extra energy. It’s also ideal for dogs who aren’t big on running but love a good challenge.
This game makes for adorable action shots if you’re handy with a camera.
9. Water Toy Chase
When the sun’s out, there’s nothing better than a splashy play session to keep your pup cool and entertained. Grab a few floating toys and pop them into a paddling pool, let your dog chase, paw at, or retrieve them while staying nice and refreshed.
If you’ve got a sprinkler, even better.
Set it up for some zoomies through the spray while tossing toys into the mix. It adds a sensory twist to playtime and is great for building water confidence, especially in dogs who are a bit unsure around water.
10. DIY Toy Obstacle Course
No need for fancy agility equipment, just use what you’ve got.
Garden chairs, plant pots, hula hoops, or even a broomstick can become part of your dog’s very own obstacle course. Add their favourite toys as part of the challenge, like stopping to play tug, jump over a toy pile, or retrieve a plush from under a bench.
You can guide them through using treats or commands and adjust the course depending on their energy level and confidence. It’s a fantastic mix of mental and physical stimulation; and a fun way to get creative together.
Garden games are a brilliant and easy way to keep your dog active, mentally stimulated, and happy; without ever having to leave the house.
Whether it’s a game of fetch with a twist or a splashy water toy chase, a bit of outdoor play can do wonders for your pup’s wellbeing.
The key is to mix things up, rotate toys, try new challenges, and tailor games to your dog’s energy and personality.
We’d love to see your pup in action. Tag us on Instagram and don’t forget to check out our latest Dog Toy Collection for some garden ready goodies that’ll keep those tails wagging all summer long.
