Tips for Keeping Your Dog Active in the Winter

When the temperature starts to drop and you have to bundle up just to get the mail, it can be hard to find the motivation to get outside and get some exercise with your dog. However, just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean your pup doesn’t need to expel some extra energy.

Here are our best tips for keeping your dog active in the winter.

Outdoor Activities

Go On a Winter Walk

Even when it’s cold outside, going for a walk is still one of the best ways to keep your pet happy and healthy. And, it doesn’t have to be long in order to gain some major benefits like a decrease in extra energy, better behavior, and all kinds of health benefits.

When it’s cold out, you’ll want to limit the length of your walks to ensure that your dog doesn’t get too cold. 30 minutes is the maximum amount of time to be outside for larger dogs when temperatures are above 20 degrees and even less for smaller dogs.

Also, do not take your pet outside for a walk if temperatures are below 0.

Go For a Hike

If going on walks gets boring or monotonous, break up your routine by going for a hike instead. Dogs love exploring the sights, sounds, and smells of a new area and you’ll love getting to take in some of the beauty of nature.

Go To a Dog Park

Dog parks are a fantastic way for your dog to run away, play with other dogs, and burn off some energy. There are even indoor dog parks in some areas for those extra cold days when being outside is too uncomfortable.

Indoor Activities

Use the Treadmill

If you have a treadmill at home, your dog can utilize it so get some exercise! But you want to be extra careful when doing this, so remember:

• Start at a low speed
• Place your pet’s favorite treat in front of them and encourage them to walk toward you
• Increase the speed as your dog get’s used to being on the treadmill
• Monitor your pet very closely to ensure they are safe and comfortable
• Carefully decrease the speed and help them off once they show signs of fatigue.

Food Hide and Seek

Having your dog spend time sniffing around for food is a fantastic way for them to use some mental energy. You can do this by using toys you can stuff treats into, using lick pads, or hiding treats under blankets or around the floor for them to sniff out.

Practice Tricks and Commands

Burning mental energy is just as good as burning physical energy and a great way to do this is by brushing up on some commands your dog may know or by teaching them new ones. If your dog already knows the basics like sit, stay, or come, test out some new ones like rolling over, speaking, or turning in a circle.

If having dedicated exercise time for your dog in the winter won’t work, even something as simple as encouraging them to follow you around the house while you do chores will go a long way. There are tons of creative ways to get your dog moving!