By Ketan Panchal*
The winter months can take a toll on the dog training process. However, there are many ways to keep your dog active during the winter months. Here are some ways to train your dog indoors and for those of you that love the cool weather, I share some interesting ones.
1:- Indoor games and play
Grab a toy which your dog likes to play with to get them excited. Play fetch with your dog indoors and have your dog run back and forth between you trying to get the toy. It is called “Monkey in the Middle”. Reward your pup after a few throws by giving the toy or ball to let them play. This promotes fun and stimulates their mind and body. Another great game to play is “Hide and Seek” – it can be done with a treat or toy being hidden, and they have to find it. If you want to practice your recall , so they come when called , you can hide and have them find you!
2:- Agility Training
A great way to entertain your dog is to create indoor and outdoor courses for them. You can use broomsticks, poles, rocks, or cushions to create the course and have them weave in and out, luring them with a treat if you need to. Tunnels can be created using a blanket and 2 chairs. If you are outdoors, you can go to the park where dogs are allowed and use benches and playground equipment.
P.S Agility training is recommended for any dog who is more than 6 months old except for when you have working line shepherds and Malinois dogs.
3:- Indoor walks
As long as your dogs’ knees are healthy, and they can walk and run, there are ways to do indoor activities to keep them agile. Many have treadmills in their homes that they use for their own physical well-being – so why not teach your dog to walk on the treadmill to get some exercise?
When done safely, it can be a great way to exercise your dog and keep them fit. Take the time to familiarize them with how the treadmill works and go very slow to start. Don’t have a treadmill? What about stairs? If you live in a multi-level home, take advantage of the free workout equipment available to you. Walking in circles or running up and down your stairs will provide a great workout for both you and your dog.
4:- Mental stimulation games
Remember in addition to physical exercise, mental exercise is just as important. You can also find many puzzle games, or a snuffle mat to entertain them by using their nose. Puzzle games that hide treats for your dog to find are not just fun for your dog, but also strengthen their cognitive abilities as they try to search for the treats.
5:- Get outside
Warm up your dog before going for a walk, you can warm up your dog’s muscles with a short indoor fetch session or some gentle stretches. This can help prevent injuries, especially for senior dogs or for those with joint issues. Then, take your dog outside for a walk or hike. Find some great trails to take your dog on. Consider joining a community walking group. If you haven’t done much hiking or are used to only summer hikes, take it slow and plan only half the distance for a hike. If not a walk or hike, then try out some play near your place. Make sure to put some warm clothes on your dog too. Take a blanket and water bottle if you plan for longer walks or hike.
6:- Wipe your dog’s paws
After every winter walk, wipe your dog’s paws to remove any dust. Apply some paw butter cream every night before bed time.
7:- Practice on stay command
Stays are a great and important part of all obedience training programs. It is sometimes hard to convince people to work on their stay, since they are not nearly as much fun to practise as walking on leash, recalls etc. They are a game changer though. Stays teach your dog to have emotional control, which will help you with distractions in all kinds of situations. The nice thing about stays is they require very little space to practise. You can build incredible stays by simply introducing a variety of distractions and reinforcing your dog’s good choices to remain in the stay regardless of what they are faced with. Start small and build on their successes.
8:- Stay positive
Make it fun and positive for your dog to be outside in winter. Be safe and enjoy the winters!
About the author
Ketan Panchal
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Instagram handle : K9CERTIFIEDTRAINER