7 Creative Ways to Keep Your Dog Active in the Winter - Canine Campus Dog Daycare & Boarding

Shorter hours of daylight, compounded with cold, snowy and icy weather tempts us to avoid going outdoors as often as we do in the warmer summer months. Long, blissful hikes, days at the lake and other outdoor activities just aren’t as appealing when there is cold, wet weather in the forecast. The lack of mental stimulation and physical activity can be hard on your pooch, so it’s worth the time and effort to look for ways to help your dog stay active even in our cold Colorado winters.

If temperatures are dropping outside or you’re simply not up for a chilly adventure, consider these fun activities for dogs to keep them active and entertained in the winter.

Play stair games

If you have a flight of stairs, use them to help your pup get more exercise. You can play fetch up or down the stairs and have them race to get it and bring it back to you. This is an effective, simple way to boost the intensity of you pup’s play and have them burn more calories than regular fetch.

Walk on a treadmill

A treadmill is a great way to exercise your dog when the weather is too cold to go outside. When it’s cold and icy outside, you can let your dog walk for treats. Just be patient and break the process down into small steps while building a positive association with each one. Some dogs might be afraid of the sound of the motor and fan. You might need to give your dog a treat just for being near the treadmill at first. Be sure to start slow and give treats often. Keep your sessions short and never leave your pup alone on the treadmill.

Go on a shopping trip

Take your pup with you on your next visit to your favorite dog friendly store. Not only will this help you both get out of the house for a while, but it will also give your dog some new sights and smells to discover!

Enjoy the winter wonderland

Many dogs absolutely love the snow and will jump at the chance to frolic in it. Spending a short time (30 minutes) in the snow will give your pup a great workout that will leave them exhausted. Smaller dogs should enjoy the winter weather in smaller intervals. Be sure to watch your dog for any signs he or she might be uncomfortable or fatigued. If you think it will be too cold for your dog outside, keep them in! Be sure to use these winter safety tips when taking your dog outside in the snow!

Plan a scavenger hunt

This exercise will help you put your dog’s natural chase instinct to use. Hide your dog’s favorite treats around the house and let them start the hunt. This exercise encourages your dog to use his or her sense of smell as they search.

Start by placing the treats in easy-to-find places. Once your dog gets the hang of the game, it’s time to up the challenge. Hide treats in hard to find places. This will keep your dog engaged and having fun!

Build an obstacle course

An obstacle course isn’t just for competition or show dogs; any dog can benefit from obstacle courses or agility training. It’s great mental as well as physical stimulation, especially when weather or other issues prevent you from taking your dog out. An obstacle course can be a great way to improve your dog’s overall behavior and increase bonding between the two of you.

The idea is to train your dog to complete an obstacle course in a certain pattern. Usually the dog and his or her handler complete the course together.

Typical obstacle courses include:

Tunnel
Weave poles (safety cones work well too)
Jumps
Ramps
Teeter-totter
Hoop jump

You can get creative with the equipment you want to use for your obstacle course. You may also want to consider your space requirements, the size of your dog and the types of activities your dog enjoys.

Take your dog to daycare

What better way to give your pup some much needed exercise and socialization than with a fun and exciting day at Canine Campus? Your pooch will enjoy a fun-filled day of safe socialization with other like-minded pups, interactions with our dog-loving team, plenty of exercise and, best of all, the opportunity to burn off all that pent-up energy!

Although it may be tempting to let your pup hibernate the winter away, it’s important to keep him or her both mentally and physically active. With these fun and effective activities, your furry family member can stay healthy despite any challenges winter throws your way!