7 Indoor Activities for Cold Days

During the winter sometimes it is harder to spend as much time outdoors as we would like. Whether it is pouring rain and freezing, or just too cold to be out, there are alternatives to spending time with our dogs that do not have to be in the cold elements.

1. Read what your dog is saying. If you wake up and see that your dog is also snuggled in tight, chances are that he is just as comfortable and content as you are in your warm bed. We all have a habit of worrying too much if our dogs are receiving enough attention or getting enough exercise, but sometimes we can learn to relax from them.

2. Kongs, bully sticks, knuckle bones, and other long-lasting chewies are always your friend. You can keep your dog busy and happy while you get work done around the house.

3. Interactive toy games are a great activity for one-on-one time. Watching and helping your dog find a treat through a challenging maze not only gives him something fulfilling to do, but also shines a light on his talents and quirks.

4. Work on obedience commands. Even if your pooch has already mastered sit, stay, down, come, etc., you can still make a fun game out of drill work. Practice back-to-back commands to see how fast he can do them or how long he can hold them before being released. Lots of praise and fun!

5. If you have always wanted a dog who could twirl, roll over, or pick up his toys, bad weather can be your friend. If you would rather not bundle up and go out, but your dog is bored to death, add lots of mental stimulation by teaching your dog tricks.

6. Play Hide and Seek. You can play it to practice recall, get the kids involved, and teach them the foundation to search and rescue. Have one person hide, ask your dog to go find them, and then give lots of praise when he finds them. You can also hide their favorite toy somewhere in the house and have him search. This really gets them using their noses and makes a nice tired dog!

7. If you get cabin fever and want to take your dog somewhere, car rides can be an adventure, even if you do not plan on taking your dog out. Visit your favorite pet store and walk down all the aisles, practicing sit, stay, down, leave it, and come. Tire your dog out and then as a reward he can pick out a treat or toy.

Kersti Nieto
Certified Dog Trainer
K9 Solutions LLC
nck9solutions.com

7 Indoor Activities for You and Your Dog

Between the summer heat and storms, many owners and dogs find themselves stuck indoors. Just because the weather is not conducive to outdoor activities does not mean there is nothing to do! Whether it is pouring rain or 100 degrees outside, it’s the time to get creative with indoor activities.

1. Practice basic commands, especially ones that your dog has yet to master. Mental exercise can make your dog more tired than physical.

2. Turn your house into a playhouse. If you have a long hallway, stairs, a covered porch, or garage, use it to play fetch or practice the Come command. Have your dog sit at the top of the steps with your Stay command, go down first, then call your dog. Repeat going back up. Make it a fun and happy game, and you will not even realize that you are getting exercise too! If you have a treadmill, you can acclimate your dog to walking on it.

3. You can play Hide and Seek to practice Come, get the kids involved, and teach them the foundation to search and rescue. Have one family member hide, then ask your dog to go find them, and then give lots of praise when he finds them! If your dog is more motivated by toys, hide his favorite toy and have him find it. This really gets dogs using their noses!

4. Puzzle Toys are a great way to provide mental exercise as well as build the human-canine bond. Check out all the neat toys on the market that can keep you and your dog involved together such as Nina Ottoson Puzzles or Kyjen Puzzles which you can find at one of our own local pet stores: http://www.animall.org.

5. Teach fun tricks. When you have a lot of time inside, it can be a great time to teach your dog some fun commands like roll over, dance, or speak! Remember to always keep it fun and enjoy yourself. The more genuine you are with teaching tricks, the more receptive the dog will be to your enthusiasm.

6. After an indoor mental exercise, you can take advantage of your dog’s calm state of mind to groom them. Having that calm down time gives you the opportunity to check your dog over, brushing them, checking their teeth, cutting their nails, and giving them a good look over.

7. Cuddle together or set them up with a stuffed kong or chewies such as bully sticks to settle down while you relax!

Kersti Nieto
Certified Dog Trainer
K9 Solutions LLC
http://www.nck9solutions.com