It’s possible that you love to get bundled up and hike off into the snow with your dog alongside you. It’s also possible that you love your dog and hate the bitter winds of winter. The good news is that your dog doesn’t have to suffer from inactivity just because the temperature has dropped. There are multiple ways to keep your dog active while staying indoors.
Fetch
It’s the classic game that’s never going out of style. Your dog may need some training or practice to get into the fetch game, but it can be a perfect way to burn some energy indoors.
Tug-of-war
If you want to bring multiple people in on your indoor dog games you can play keep away. But, if you’re looking for one-on-one, you can’t beat tug-of-war with the right dog toy. Play it right and you can have two dogs playing tug-of-war with each other.
Hide and seek
You’ve got options here. You can hide toys, treats, or even yourself. Stash a favorite toy under some couch cushions. Play find the treat under a couple of plastic cups. Hide yourself away and call for your dog to come find you.
Training
The hours stuck inside staying warm may be the perfect time to work on your dog’s obedience or master that one trick they haven’t figured out yet. You could come out of the winter with some new skills to show off.
Stairs
If you’ve got stairs in your home, use them to your advantage. Do some stair climbers with your dog following along. You could also combine fetch and the stairs to kick things up a notch. Remember to reward your dog’s activity with affection to keep them motivated.
Nose work
Sniffing out things they want comes pretty naturally to most dogs. Hide something they love in your home, introduce the scent to them, and send your dog off on the hunt. This can be a good mental and physical activity for your dog.
Indoor obstacle course
To be fair, this one may take some more time and effort, but it can be worth it. Clear out some space and make an at-home obstacle course. You can use broom handles for jumps, blankets spread over furniture for tunnels, or even chairs to make lanes. Get your dog excited and lead through the course, then try to beat your time.
Whether you live in a house, apartment, or otherwise, your space is what you make it. Find ways to be creative and have fun with your dog. This activity will help maintain the structure you’ve already set up with your dog.
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