Winter can be harsh, and it can also make a morning walk difficult for dogs and their owners. The early mornings are too dark and a long walk with the dogs is not possible. However, one cannot compromise on a dog’s exercise requirements, as the lack of it also affects their physique and overall immunity.
Lack of exercise in dogs can also create boredom in dogs and encourage destructive behavior in them. It is therefore important to keep them active and healthy despite the weather conditions outside.
In this blog, you will see 6 wonderful indoor games you can play with your dogs this winter to meet all their exercise needs. The games are simple and can be played whenever you and your dogs want. So here they are,
1) Find it
One of the best ways to mentally stimulate your dog is to play “Find Him”. In this game, your dog uses his sense of smell and tracking instinct to find his favorite “object.” Canine experts suggest that even 10 minutes of “find it” play is as mentally draining as a short walk.
This game is extremely simple to play, yet it provides hours of entertainment for dogs. All you have to do is show your dog a very engaging dog toy and then give him the “wait command” while you hide the toy in another room. Once your dog finds it, praise it, then give it a treat.
2) Treat box
Another simple game, all you have to do is hide some good dog treats in a cardboard box and let your dogs find them. Some dogs can rip the boxes apart, though most probably take a more calculated approach. In short, this game is about forcing your dog to think and come up with their own strategy to find the treat.
If you think this game is too easy for your dog, consider buying him a good interactive dog toy that can exercise him physically and mentally.
3) Hints and commands
One of the best ways to enjoy free time inside your home in the winter, teaching dogs tricks and commands is highly underrated. Almost all dogs can learn tricks and this also contributes greatly to their good behavior. Commands such as sit, fetch, shake hands, etc. not only make life easier for dog owners, but also entertain visitors to the house. Above all, trick training is one of the best ways to strengthen your overall friendship with your dogs as well.
4) Name the toys
Did you know that dogs have an incredible ability to learn a lot of words? Well, it’s true and dog owners can use this skill of dogs to create new games for them. One of the best ways to get your brain working is to teach it the names of specific dog toys. It may take a bit of time and effort, but it will be worth it once your dog learns the names.
Once your dog has learned the name of the toy, you can hide it among other objects and ask him to bring the toy to you. It’s a fun game that you will love once you start playing it.
5) Tug of War
Arguably the easiest game to play with your dogs, Tug of War is a favorite of almost every breed of dog. When played correctly and safely, you can tire your dog out fairly quickly without having to go outside during cold winters. It’s best to teach them to “give the order” before playing tug of war, so they can drop the command once you tell them to stop.
This is especially important for aggressive breeds like Rottweilers and German Shepherds who can get overly excited when playing rough tug of war with them.
6) Choose the mug
You may be familiar with the children’s game where an adult hides an object under one of four cups and then moves them all. Well, you can also play the same games with dogs. All you have to do is line up say 3 cups first, then put a dog treat under one. Let your dog sniff a cup, then let him touch one. Once he chooses it correctly, praise him and give him a treat.
After doing this 2-3 times, you can start mixing the cups to make the game more challenging and interesting for dogs.
In short,
You’ve just seen 6 wonderful games you can play with your dogs inside your home, while battling the chills of winter outside. If you find your dogs taking a long time to learn it, be patient and they will eventually understand what you are trying to teach. Finally, it is important that you exercise dogs regularly so that they stay healthy and have a good sense of humor for a very long time.