How to keep a Bulldog entertained indoors

Let’s not sugarcoat it—Bulldogs are stubborn, hilarious, and lazier than most breeds, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need stimulation. In fact, if you let a Bulldog lay around all day doing nothing, you’re not doing them any favors. Boredom leads to bad habits, weight gain, and behavior problems—even in this “low-energy” breed.

I’ve worked with Bulldogs in homes and in the sanctuary. I’ve seen the difference between a Bulldog with purpose and one who’s just waiting for his next nap. If you’ve got your Bulldog indoors most of the day, you need to be intentional about how you keep them engaged.

How to Keep a Bulldog Entertained Indoors
By a Veterinarian with 10 Years of Experience and Director of a Sanctuary for Stray Dogs and Cats

1. Don’t Mistake Lazy for Low-Maintenance

Bulldogs may look like they’re fine snoozing on the couch 22 hours a day. But let them live like that, and you’ll be calling my clinic about weight issues, joint stiffness, or destructive chewing out of “nowhere.”

Here’s the reality:
They need mental and physical stimulation—just in shorter, gentler bursts than more active breeds.

2. Short Play Sessions Are Key

Bulldogs overheat easily and aren’t made for marathons. But they still need to play—especially if they’re a young adult or puppy. Keep sessions short, fun, and low-impact.

Good indoor games include:

Tug-of-war (light resistance, short sessions)
Fetch with soft toys in a hallway
“Find the treat” using boxes or towels
Gentle chase-the-toy games on carpet

Always stop when your Bulldog starts panting hard. Don’t push them—this breed doesn’t mess around when it comes to breathing trouble.

3. Food Puzzles Are Non-Negotiable

Let’s be honest—Bulldogs are food-obsessed. Use it. Leverage that appetite to keep their brains engaged.

Rotate through:

Slow feeders or puzzle bowls for meals
Frozen Kongs with dog-safe fillings (peanut butter, canned pumpkin, kibble mix)
Muffin tin games—hide treats under tennis balls
Snuffle mats to engage their nose

You’re feeding them anyway—might as well make them work for it.

4. Basic Training Still Matters—Even If They Grumble

Bulldogs may act like they’ve never heard a command in their life—but they’re not dumb. They just test you. Stay calm. Be consistent. Keep sessions short and food-motivated.

Teach basics and reinforce daily:

Sit, stay, come
Leave it
Wait at doors
Go to bed/mat

Five minutes, two to three times a day. That’s all it takes. But you must be consistent. They’ll walk all over you if you let them.

5. Toys That Last—Not Toys That End Up in Pieces

Bulldogs have powerful jaws. Most plush toys won’t last a day. Save yourself the trip to the pet store and get serious.

Use these instead:

Heavy-duty rubber toys (like Kongs or GoughNuts)
Rope toys for monitored tug
Textured chew toys for dental health
Scented toys that hold treats

Skip the squeakers if your Bulldog gets overly excited. You want calm engagement, not chaos.

6. Create a Structured Routine—Don’t Wing It

Just because your Bulldog’s laid back doesn’t mean they thrive in chaos. Dogs—even lazy ones—feel secure when they know what to expect.

Set a daily rhythm:

Morning potty + play or walk
Breakfast with puzzle feeder
Midday quiet time with a chew toy
Evening play session or training
Nighttime cuddle, wind-down, and crate (if used)

Stick to it. They’ll settle faster and behave better when life feels predictable.

7. Teach Calm—but Reward Focus

It’s easy to reward Bulldogs for being couch potatoes. But what you really want is calm focus. That’s the sweet spot—engaged, not frantic.

Reinforce when they:

Play gently with toys
Lay quietly with a chew
Go to their bed on cue
Wait calmly for meals or treats

Reward that. Shape that. That’s what you want every day.

Final Word: Lazy Doesn’t Mean Easy

Owning a Bulldog doesn’t get you off the hook. Yes, they’re less hyper. No, they’re not low-effort. Their stubbornness, sensitivity, and health quirks mean you need to be more thoughtful—not less.

Stimulate their brain, move their body, structure their day. That’s how you keep a Bulldog healthy and happy indoors—and how you avoid being the one standing in my exam room saying, “I don’t know what happened. He just started acting out.”

Spoiler alert: It didn’t come out of nowhere.

How to keep a Bulldog entertained indoors