At My Anxious Dog, we know how tricky Halloween, Bonfire Night and Diwali can be for nervous or fearful dogs. Loud bangs, flashing lights, and spooky surprises aren’t just unsettling — they can feel overwhelming and scary. That’s why I’ve teamed up with Niki French, a brilliant trainer to bring you four gentle, confidence-boosting games you can play at home instead of heading out for a walk.
And the best bit? These aren’t just ideas on paper, you’ll see me and Bella trying each one together.
Whether your dog is struggling with noise sensitivity, anxiety, or just needs a break from the chaos outside, these simple games offer a calm alternative. They’re fun, low-pressure, and all about helping your dog feel safe and supported — exactly what we stand for here at My Anxious Dog.
These four simple activities are great for building confidence, strengthening your bond, and helping your dog feel calm and happy at home.
They use movement, novelty, and gentle challenge in a way that gives your dog choice and control - all things that help them feel safer when the world outside feels overwhelming.
Game 1 - Pumpkin Spin. A Fun movement game to build confidence and focus. 🎃
Level 1 – Ask your dog to “spin like a pumpkin.”
Lure them in a circle with a treat, then reward when they complete the spin.
After a few goes, you can see if they’ll spin a little faster — or start to fade out the food lure by using the same hand signal without food.
You can add a verbal cue later, such as spin, twist, left/right, or around.
Level 2 – Try asking them to spin around a pumpkin (or any other spooky object).
Trainer tips:
- Use tempting food and avoid slippery floors.
- Keep your hand at your dog’s nose height so the turn feels comfortable.
- Sit down if you have a small dog so you’re not looming over them.
- Try both directions for an extra challenge.
Watch how to play Pumpkin Spin
Game 2 - Creepy Creep. A Halloween-inspired crawl game to help with body awareness.
This game is perfect for building body awareness and confidence - plus, it’s a great little
strength workout!
Lure your dog to move forward under a chair or between poles. Reward any small forward
movement.
You can start by going between two chairs, then work towards something a little lower as
your dog gets the idea.
Trainer tips:
- Keep rewards low to the floor to encourage crawling.
- Work slowly, with short reps.
- Stop if your dog has back, hip, or leg problems - keep it safe and fun.
- Try using a soft, high-value reward like Primula in our Mini Squeezy Reward treat dispenser perfect for controlled, mess-free rewarding in low positions!
Watch how to play Creepy Creep
Game 3 - Pumpkin Knock Down. A safe way to explore sound and novelty through play.
This one’s fantastic for dogs that are worried about noises or movement - it lets them make the sound happen themselves in a safe, playful way.
Start by warming up with a Hand touch game so your dog understands that touching with
their nose or paw earns a reward. Then place your pumpkin (or another lightweight object) in front of them. Mark and reward for any interest - a look, a step, or a gentle nudge.
If they knock it over, that’s jackpot time!
If your dog isn’t sure what to do, hide the pumpkin behind your back and then bring it out
again - this often sparks curiosity.
Trainer tips:
- Think about the surface you play on: rugs and carpets will make less noise than hard floors.
- Add a release cue like break! by throwing a treat away between turns.
- Keep sessions short and upbeat.
Watch how to play Pumpkin Knock Down
Game 4 - Head in a Bag. A gentle confidence game for nervous dogs at home.
This super simple game builds confidence around novelty and encourages exploration -
great for nervous dogs or those who startle easily.
Start with some treats around the outside of an open paper or fabric bag. Then drop a few
just inside the opening.
As your dog gains confidence, place the treats a little deeper each time.
Trainer tips:
- Go at your dog’s pace so it stays fun.
- Cut off any bag handles to keep it safe.
- Avoid slippery floors or bags that could collapse over your dog’s head.
Watch how to play Head in a Bag
Why these games help.
Each of these games helps your dog build positive associations with movement, noise, and
novelty - all things that can be tricky during Halloween, fireworks, and Diwali.
They encourage calm, confident curiosity.
Build trust between you and your dog.
Help release tension through gentle physical activity.
Keep your dog safely occupied indoors when the outside world feels scary.
They’re also a great reminder that your dog doesn’t have to go out to have fun - you can do so much at home to boost their wellbeing and confidence.
Looking for another easy way to keep your dog calm and entertained indoors?
Our Snuffle Pockets are soft fleece squares that fit snugly inside a larger pocket, creating a fun, treat-hunting challenge for your dog. They’re easy to use, fully washable, and designed to bring all the benefits of foraging into your home — perfect for mental stimulation and helping your dog feel more relaxed.
If you’d like more confidence-building ideas, check out STOP! Walking Your Dog book
it’s full of games and techniques just like these to help your dog feel calmer and happier.
You can also listen to a Halloween special episode of Pup Talk The Podcast for even
more practical tips on helping your dog cope with spooky season.
