5 Ways to Entertain Your Dog During Cold Weather
Whether you find you and your dog house-bound due to extreme cold, snow or illness, your furry friend could get agitated from a lack of physical activity. When the weather won’t permit you to play outside, there is always fun options for indoor activities as well.
Here are five simple ways you can entertain your doggie at home when going outside isn’t an option:
Toys
One of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your pup entertained indoors is with pet-safe toys. It’s important to introduce new ones into your pup’s routine on a regular basis, or even rotating the ones they already have in order to keep their interest high. If you find your pup gets bored easily, kick it up a notch and try food-dispensing toys. These are perfect brain stimulators for your furry friend and will keep them working to get the healthy treats out of the toy. Remember that every treat adds calories to your pup’s daily routine – consult your vet before you make any major diet change.
Play the shell game
To play the shell game with your pup, you must let them watch as you put a treat under one of three cups. Then you shuffle the cups around and encourage them to find the treat. This simple problem-solving game for dogs will help keep their brain stimulated. Check out this fun variation of the game that we created using tennis balls and a muffin tin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNG5Rj4rLUg
Obstacle course
This one may be a bit more work but it is definitely worth it! Helping your pup navigate through a course is a lot of fun. Create a few obstacles using chairs, a hula hoop, a ball, and just about anything else your creative mind can think of. Be sure to reward your pup with treats and lots of praise. It is important to tailor the obstacle to your pup’s physical ability and make sure it is fun rather than work and make sure you aren’t encouraging him to jump on something that you don’t want him jumping on later-like a chair or low table.
Arrange a play date
Invite some of your pup’s furry friends over for a play date to keep them entertained and active. Nothing is more exciting than a social visit from their BFFF (best furry friend forever)!
Play hide and seek
Tell your dog to stay then walk away and hide some place in the house. Once you are set, call their name in a happy and upbeat voice. Keep calling them until they find you, then give them tons of praise! If your dog isn’t great at the “stay” command, then you can have a family member hold the pup as you hide. Not only is this a great way for them to experience brain stimulation and exercise, but it also helps build a stronger bond with your furry family member.
Staying in doesn’t have to be boring. Dogs thrive on interactive play, and these five fun activities will be sure to keep them active and brains stimulated! Don’t have time to give your dog their required amount of exercise during cold-weather months? With Dogtopia’s doggie daycare, we exercise your pup and ensure they get proper socialization and ample play time. Playrooms are grouped by size, personality and play style to make sure your dog is safe and comfortable. Visit your nearest location today: https://www.dogtopia.com/location-finder/.
