Winter is quickly approaching and it’s starting to get cold in many parts of the country. What do you do when you can’t get outside in the freezing cold, inclement weather to wear your dogs out physically? There are lots of things! Try one or all of these:

1.     Have your dog chase a ball rolled down the hallway.

2.     Hide treats around the house for your dog to find. Start easy and as your dog gets better, make the hides harder.

3.     Take an indoor agility class at a local dog training facility.

4.     Use food puzzles to feed your dog out of and to use throughout the day to keep them occupied. This will use a little physical energy and a lot of mental energy.

5.     Rent an indoor space at a training facility to let your dog run around and play active games with your you (i.e., disc, fetch, chase, etc.). You can do this by yourself or as a play date with a doggie BFF.

6.     Take a canine fitness class. You’ll learn exercises you can also do at home.

7.     Teach your dogs tricks. This can wear your dog out mentally and physically. You can also earn Trick Titles.

8.     Take a field trip to a local hardware store that allows dogs inside (be sure to call ahead first). While you’re there, you can practice things your dog knows like sit, down and shake.

9.     Take a K9 Nose Work® class. You’ll learn a lot of exercises you can practice at home. This is a great way to wear your dog out mentally.

10.  Play tug. Tug is a great game to play with your dog to wear them out physically. To do it safely, present the tug toy at the level of your dog’s mouth and let your dog be the one to pull.

This is just a small sampling of the many things you can do inside with your dog this winter. The fun is finding the things you and your dog enjoy doing together. It’ll also add interest if you mix them up and try to do a different activity every day. Hopefully, this will help give your dog things that are physically and mentally enriching, which will help them be ready to curl up with you on the sofa in front of the fire while you’re watching your favorite holiday movies.

What kinds of things do you enjoy doing with your dog during the cold winter months?

© Laura Hills 2023 www.thedogsspot.com