6 Activities to Keep Your Dog Happy in the Winter
Christine BlissThe winter season can be challenging for dog owners to find ways to keep their dogs happy and fulfilled physically and mentally. It’s not an impossible task, though. There are many activities you can participate in with your dog to ensure their physical and mental needs are met, as well as increasing your bond with your dog during the colder months.
Here are six fun-filled activities you can do with your dog to keep their tail wagging and promise an everlasting close bond with your furry 4-legged friend in the winter and for the years to come. A bonus with these activities is they will also aid in training your dog in various ways that are both fun and rewarding. It’s a win-win all around!
1. Flirt Pole Game
Purpose. The flirt pole game provides direct engagement with your dog (think bonding) while meeting their prey drive. It’s also a great game to meet your dog’s physical needs and provides mental stimulation. This also becomes a great training game for your dog to learn when to release objects on command.
What is it? The flirt pole is a pole designed to hold a toy or a lure at the end of it for your dog to chase and catch. It’s like the cat toy that typically has feathers on the end of it to play with a cat.
How to Play with the Flirt Pole. You will need to make sure you have a fair-sized amount of space so that you can move the pole around if playing indoors. I play with North in approximately 6×9 space in my home, and it works just fine. You will hold onto the handle of the pole, and the object is to move the flirt pole from right to left, back and forth, along the ground for your dog to chase. You can throw the flirt pole lure a bit in the air; however, you do not want to throw it so high that your dog must jump. They could hurt themselves if they jump too high. Once your dog catches the lure, you can say “Yes” or “Good Girl/Boy” and then “Drop.” If you play this game outdoors, the sky’s the limit!
I love this game with my German Shepherd, North. We play this game for at least 15 minutes 1-2 times a day indoors during the winter. It’s both fun and an interactive game for the owner and the dog. Trust me, after every flirt pole game with North, she is panting and finds her water bowl immediately to quench her thirst.
2. The “Find It” Game
Purpose. The “Find It” game creates an atmosphere of fun and adventure for both you and your dog in the home. This is also a great training opportunity to teach your dog basic scent work and to engage with you.
Fun Fact. Did you know your dog will be mentally exhausted from just 15 minutes of consistent sniffing versus a 1-2 mile walk?
What is it? An indoor game that allows your dog to use their senses to sniff and smell.
How to Play the “Find It” Game. You will use high-value treats or one of your dog’s favorite toys. If your dog knows the basic “stay” command, it will make this game much easier to play. Give your dog the “stay” command wherever it is you’d like for them to stay. Once they’re in place, reward them with a high-value treat, and show them the toy you’re going to hide. No need to tell them the treats you plan to hide. They just got a taste of what you have to offer. I will tell North, “This is lamb chops,” and let her sniff it before I go and hide the toy, or I will hide her high-value treats while she’s still in the stay position. At this time, you will hide all the goodies or toys. Once done hiding everything, give the command to your dog, “Find it.” Trust me, after a sneak peek of the treats you have, your dog will be on the hunt!
3. Training Sessions
Purpose. Training sessions give both you and your dog direct attention to one another creating that inseparable bond. These trainings are also opportunities for your dog to learn basic commands (sit, stay, look at me, etc.) and potentially some advanced tricks.
What is it? The training sessions are no longer than 5-15 minutes long, depending on your dog’s age. Puppies are usually 5-10 minutes per session. Older dogs can last 10-15 minutes before their attention span is gone or they are bored.
How to Perform a Training Session. Depending on your dog’s age, you may or may not be able to have training sessions with distractions. These training sessions are great to do in the home during the winter months. This keeps everybody warm and allows for less distractions. You will base your training session on what it is you’d like for your dog to learn (basic obedience or advanced commands).
4. Snuffle Mat
Purpose. The snuffle mat is a great way to keep your dog mentally stimulated, utilizing their senses to find the treats in the mat and a helpful stress-reducer for anxiety-driven pups.
What is it? The snuffle mat is usually made of either felt-like material, or you can find really good quality ones made of leather. It hides high-value treats within the mat for your dog to find.
How to Use the Snuffle Mat. Place your dog’s high-value treats between creases and folds on the snuffle mat. Once you’ve hidden all the treats, you can use the “Find it” command to get your dog to start searching throughout the mat. Your dog will love you for this fun, tasty game!
5. Four Corners Game
Purpose. This game teaches your dog that you are the most important person in their presence at this moment. It provides direct engagement between you and your dog, helping to create that “I love you so much” bond.
What is it? An indoor or outdoor game that requires you, your dog, and their collar and leash.
How to play the Four Corners Game. This is a great game you can play inside or outside in the cold with your dog. I prefer to play this game outside with North, even in the winter. You’ll both enjoy getting outside for a few minutes and inhale the crisp, wintery weather. You can easily play this game for 5-10 minutes each time. You will put your dog’s collar and leash on them. Then, you will tell your dog to “sit” in place. At that time, whether your dog is looking at you or the squirrel across the street, you will run (imagine a square box) to the opposite side of the square to the other corner while holding the leash without saying a word to your dog. If your dog is not paying attention, the pressure from the leash will grab their attention, and then they will follow suit to where you are to release the pressure. Eventually, your dog will catch onto the game. If they’re fully engaged with you, you will find yourself running side by side with your furry 4-legged friend from corner to corner. If not, your dog will continue to feel leash pressure until they get the hang of the game. North loves this game! It always keeps her alert and on all four paws.
6. Tug-O-War
Purpose. This game creates fun and excitement in your dog while providing them with physical and mental stimulation. This game will also test your strength as you play Tug-O-War with your furry 4-legged companion.
What is it? Tug-O-War is a game that tests your dog’s strength, endurance, and mental capacity to handle tough situations. It requires a dog rope, you, and your dog.
How to Play Tug-O-War. You will tell your dog to “sit” as you grab one end of the rope. Then, allow your dog to grab the other end. At that time, you can command “get it” or “pull” and watch your dog get so excited that you’re challenging their strength. At any time during the Tug-O-War, if your dog goes to grab or bite at your hand or your end of the rope, immediately drop your end. Game over. The idea of this game is to have fun but in a safe way. Your dog will learn that you love challenging them in a game of Tug-O-War, but only if they play nice. I do not recommend allowing your dog to chew on the rope if you’re not playing the game. They can shred the rope, and it could get entangled in their systems. This game is the best and so fun to play with North!
