What to do to keep your dog active indoors during winter

When the weather is bad, it's okay to take your dog out less often. However, it is essential to ensure that your pet stays physically and mentally healthy by engaging them in indoor activities. Here are some ideas to help you.

Playing together

Dogs are playful by nature, and every dog loves to play without exception. Some dogs enjoy playing with squeaky toys, while others prefer stuffed animals. Some dogs like to shake, pull, bite, and bounce their toys, while others love chasing after them. The key is to find out what your pet enjoys the most and provide them with toys that satisfy their playful needs.

Playing with your dog is a great way to help them burn off energy. However, playing in short 10- to 15-minute sessions throughout the day is important. If you play for too long or only once a day, it can cause your dog to become overexcited and agitated. Plan multiple play sessions throughout the day to keep your dog happy and healthy.

Encourage daily chewing

Chewing is beneficial for dogs as it helps them release stress and tension. It becomes essential on bad weather days when they may spend less time outside. Your dog can become depressed due to the lack of outdoor activity and may find chewing a positive outlet to relieve stress.

Plenty of safe and healthy products are available to encourage your dog's daily chewing, such as toys, bones, treats, and animal parts. Feel free to consult an in-store specialist to find a product that suits your dog's chewing needs.

Also read: What are the best ways to manage a destructive dog?

Autonomy during meals

Encouraging your dog to work for his meals can positively impact his overall well-being. Instead of using a regular metal bowl, you can provide him with an interactive or a slow feeder bowl. This will help your dog eat slowly and expend his excess energy. Spending 20 minutes eating this way is estimated to be equivalent to 1.5 hours of walking outside. This is an interesting fact, isn't it?

Many toys can also be filled with treats, peanut butter, or wet food to entertain your dog on cold days.

Stimulation through training

Inclement weather can be a blessing in disguise when it comes to training your four-legged companion. It is the perfect opportunity to teach your dog new tricks and work on correcting any undesirable behaviour. Just remember to keep the training sessions short, spanning only 5 to 10 minutes, and run them 2 to 3 times daily. This will help your pup utilize their mental energy and avoid fatigue. Keep in mind that success lies in consistency, so stick to these quick and effective training sessions to witness improvement in no time.

Also read: Dog training: three essential commands to master

Making the most of your dog's senses

Looking for indoor activities to engage your pet's senses? Get the whole family involved with these fun ideas!

Hearing

: Hide somewhere in the house and let your dog follow the sound of your voice to find you.

Smell

: Hide treats around the house and encourage your dog to find them.

Touch

: Create a circuit using different textures that your dog has to touch with its paws.

Sight

: Teach your dog to identify some of its toys by their shape or colour.

Taste

: Encourage your dog to try new foods that are safe for them. Introducing novel foods can be an enjoyable experience for your furry friend!

To sum up, remember that bad weather should not deter you from taking your dog for a walk. Simply make the necessary adjustments and take precautions to keep your furry friend safe and comfortable.