Four Ways To Entertain Your Dog Indoors
When winter is at its coldest you may not be motivated to go outdoors, but you can still entertain your dog and help her work off some energy (and stay in shape!) this winter. It's possible to have fun no matter what the weather and we have put together some tips for you and your pup!
Some dogs love to be outdoors and they thrive when winter and snow arrive. Some dogs, though just don't enjoy the cold, snowy days and they may be too small, too elderly or not have enough hair to keep them warm and happy when they are outside. It's all you can do to get them to go potty, right?! Here are four ways we love to play with and entertain our dogs indoors no matter what the weather!
Tug of war! What dog doesn't love a rousing tug of war? Make sure you don't tug too hard. Let your dog be the one who sets the parameters for the tugging. Choose toys that won't hurt her teeth. Don't yank the toy out of your dog's mouth as that could hurt her teeth. This is a great time to teach your dog to "give" or "drop it" and you can do that by offering her a different toy if she gives up that one!
Fetch. You can play this with your pup whether there is more than one human in the house! Toss a toy and call your dog to bring it back. Once he chases it, call his name and urge him to bring the toy back. Once he does, praise him then toss it again. This is a great way to burn off excess energy by getting your dog to run from one room to another. It's also a great way to "sneak" in training by teaching him to fetch and return!
Hide and seek. Yes, you can hide yourself and have your dog come find you (and that is fun!) but what we meant here was to hide toys and or treats and let your dog go running through the house on a treasure hunt for the treats and toys. Get involved with her at first to show her what you're doing then praise her and make a big deal of it when she brings the toy back to you! Food puzzle toys are also a great way to keep your dog engaged through his strong sense of scent. Hide treats and/or use a snuffle mat or other food puzzle toy to get his nose and brain working.
Set up an indoor play date with a friend. If you have a friend who has a dog who also needs some entertaining and socialization, you may want to give him or her a call and invite them over. Tell them your dog is ready for a play date and needs to burn off some energy. Chances are, they will be happy for the company (socially distant, if necessary) and your pups will enjoy the time chasing and playing with another dog.
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