Winter weather can be brutal for active dogs and their people! When it’s cold, snowing, or raining, a lack of outdoor activities can cause cabin fever in both humans and dogs. It may take a little creativity, but we can busy those winter blues while getting your dog to practice the skills they learned in class. Try out these indoor activities for dogs that make those difficult days a bit more fun.
1. Learn a new trick!
Tricks are a great way to keep your dog engaged during the winter because they don’t always require much space. Whether you live in a studio apartment in the city or a five-bedroom house in the suburbs, there is always a trick to fit your environment. If your dog is just learning his first trick, you can introduce “roll over”, “spin” or “bow”.
These tricks can be taught using a food lure which will help your dog easily figure out what you want them to do. For more intermediate dogs, we can start to “retrieve”, “pull” or “close” items. These tricks require props and will challenge your dog to think. For advanced dogs, we can practice picking up toys and seeking items from an out-of-sight location. Chaining behaviors together is a great way to see if your dog truly understands the task you are trying to complete. No matter where your dog is in their training experience, there is always something fun to learn!
2. Create an obstacle course!
Obstacle courses are great for dogs who love agility! The best part about agility is we can turn household items into agility equipment! Don’t have a jump? Stick a broom horizontally through two bar stools. Don’t have a tire jump? Grab a hula hoop. Need a tunnel? Throw a blanket over an end table with a cutout in the bottom! Instead of using an agility table, use your recliner!
Practice teaching your dog the cues to make the jumps, climb through the tunnel, and spot himself on the recliner. Once your dog has these cues under their belt, you can practice sequencing the stations and creating your very own agility course in your home!
3. Try out puppy parkour!
If you are one of the brave souls who enjoys being out in the cold or the rain, utilize the empty parks and practice some parkour with your pup! In humans, parkour is a method of physical training that develops one’s ability to overcome obstacles, both physical and mental. This same concept can be applied to dogs! Parkour is great combination of agility and obedience in the real-world. Using the existing items in the park, you can challenge your dog and build their confidence. They can practice jumping between ledges, climbing tree stumps, jumping over low-lying pipes and whatever else your creative mind can come up with!
As a disclaimer, always make sure the area you are working in is safe, the surfaces are sturdy, and your dog is able and willing to perform these stunts. We want to make sure the dogs are having just as much fun as the humans are!
4. Plan a family game night!
You’ve spent weeks at your training classes practicing your “leave it”, loose leash walking and recall. Now let’s put it to the test! If you live in a multi-dog household or have friends and family with dogs, invite them over and have a family game night with your pups! Whether you have all taken classes or just think you have the most obedient dog, put your skills to the test!
Games are a great way to get your dog to practice their obedience and challenge how far they can go. If you want to practice your “leave it”, set a timer and see who can stack the tallest treat tower without the dog eating it before time is up. If you think your dog has the best recall, set up a path with toys and treats on the outside and see which dog can complete a recall while leaving the most items. Challenge your dog’s leash skills and carry a hard-boiled egg on a spoon (raw if you really want some competition!) and see who can get from point A to B without dropping the egg.
For those of you who are like me, winter can be a rough season to get through, but with these tips, it can help make the season a little more enjoyable! It is important to maintain the skills your dog has learned throughout the year, even during those cold months or during a day that makes getting outside difficult! Continue to challenge your dog and develop their mental growth, but remember, most importantly, to keep training fun!
