All dog owners know that their 4-legged best friends need lots of mental and physical exercise to stay happy and healthy. This can be a challenge during the winter months, especially if you have one of those pups who takes to their warm snuggly bed on the first cold snap and only braves the elements when they have no other choice.
However, just because your dog is a little reluctant to head out in the cold, it doesn’t mean that it’s okay for him to turn into a doggy couch potato. Lack of exercise in the winter can lead to weight gain and all of the problems associated with pet obesity. Even if your dog doesn’t pack on the kilos, lounging around for days on end is enough to lead to a serious case of cabin fever! And all that pent-up energy can contribute to some unpleasant behavioural issues. There are plenty of great winter activities for your dog that can help you keep them active, engaged and entertained.
Make Him Work for His Food
Feeding can be a great outlet for mental and physical energy. Instead of their usual feeding routine, why not try giving him a little mental challenge? Working a dog’s mind can tire him out just as much as, if not more than, taking him for a long walk.
- Treat-dispensing toys are a great way to give your pup’s brain a serious workout. There are plenty on the market, just drop a handful of dry kibble into the opening and leave you dog to do the rest. Your dog will have to figure out how to roll the toy around to make the food drop out.
- Slow feeders are another option to stretch your dogs’ mental muscles. These dog dishes look more like mazes than bowls, but they will keep your pup’s brain engaged while he is filling his belly. Not only will your dog have a lot of fun eating this way, slowing them down so they don’t inhale their meal in 30 seconds is better for their health too!
- Prefer to keep it simple? You can challenge your dog just by hiding a few treats around the house for him to sniff out or by placing his food in a new location at feeding time and encouraging him to figure out where it is.
Bring the Fun Inside
You don’t necessarily need to rug up and go for a walk in the winter chill to give your dog a chance to get some much-needed exercise. There are plenty of super fun ways to get him moving without setting a paw outside.
- Hide and seek. Food isn’t the only thing that your dog will enjoy searching for. Try throwing a small treat into the other room to distract him and then hiding in a different location while he tries to find you.
- Fetch. Who says you have to be in the backyard to enjoy a good game of fetch? If your house has a long hallway or a spacious room, grab your dog’s favourite toy and toss it around for a while. (After removing any valuables that could get knocked over by an enthusiastic pup!)
- Bubbles. Believe it or not, a lot of dogs go crazy for bubbles! Just make sure to use a pet-friendly variety.
- Make an indoor agility course. Using chairs, blankets, broomsticks, hula hoops, and other objects that you already have around your house, you can create a course and then spend time training your dog to navigate it.
- Take a class. Find out what is available in your area. Many areas offer agility classes, flyball, and even doggie swimming pools! Any of these would be perfect opportunities for you and your dog to beat the winter blues.
Embrace the Winter Chill
There is really no substitute for spending time outside with your dog. Even if it’s cold, taking your dog for a walk every day is still one of the best ways to keep him healthy.
Try taking a new route. You may not be able to walk as far as you could during the warmer months, but you can make those short walks count by keeping them interesting. Instead of following the same route every day, try taking a new path. It has been shown that taking your dog on a shorter walk on a new route can provide the same mental and physical stimulation as a much longer walk on their usual route. Visit a different part of the neighbourhood, or take a drive and take in the scenery in a different part of town. Allow your dog to explore during his walks, and sniff out all the good smells to help fulfil his cognitive needs – remember the walk is for your dog so rug up and try not to hurry him along!
As tempting as it may be to let your dog hibernate the winter away, it’s so much better for their health to keep them mentally and physically active! With a little creativity, you and your tail-wagging friend can stay fit and healthy in spite of the challenges winter throws your way.