Activities For Dogs In Kansas On Cold Days

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Activities For Dogs In Kansas On Cold Days

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Introduction

Cold weather can be found in Kansas; in some parts of the state, the temperature can be as low as 15 degrees during the winter. Going outside when the weather is that chilly can be challenging, particularly for people (and pups) that are not big fans of cold weather. Of course, your pup will still require activity, no matter the weather. During times of frigid temperatures, you may have to be creative. Fortunately, there are ways for you and your pooch to spend time together AND be active whether in or out of your home. Read on for cool activities for dogs on cold days in Kansas!

Academy Sports + Outdoors

Popular

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Cold Day

Free

Easy

1 hr

Items needed

Leash

Treats

Activity description

On a cold day in Kansas you and your pup can still take a walk and while you are at it, you can pick up some of the items that you may need for future sports and outdoor activities. Located in Topeka, Academy Sports + Outdoors has plenty of items to take a look at. The store offers sporting goods, outdoor equipment and apparel among other things. The store is open seven days a week and your canine companion is welcome to join you while you browse and purchase any items that you need. After a trip to Academy Sports + Outdoors, you and your pup can be ready for the warmer weather to come!

Step

Outdoor ideas

How much planning you will need to do for a trip to Academy Sports + Outdoors will depend on how far you are from Topeka. If you are relatively close, you can decide to stop at the store without much planning. Check online to confirm the store's hours for the day of the week you are planning to stop by so that you can be sure to arrive with enough time to do the shopping that you would like to do. For fun, take a look online ahead of time for nifty gear to check out.

Step

Out to shop

Once you have decided that you want to visit Academy Sports + Outdoors, decide what you will need to bring with you. Fortunately, unless you are traveling a significant distance, you will not need much. A leash is important to have as your pup will need to be on-leash while you walk around the store. Treats are also helpful to have along should you need to distract your pup or if you would like to reward them for any reason. You will also want to consider the gear you viewed online as now is the time to try it out. If you don't have any particular items in mind, that is okay too; browsing the store will help you get some ideas for future activities.

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Hide And Seek

Popular

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Cold Day

Free

Easy

10 - 30 min

Items needed

Treats

Activity description

Hide and seek is a tried and true way for you to engage with your pup as well as for them to meet their activity needs even on the coldest of days. While you may not be enthusiastic about playing the game outdoors on a frigid day in Kansas, you can play while staying warm by bringing the game inside. Your pup will still be challenged having to track you down inside your home, will get some energy out, AND keep out of trouble. Your canine companion will love spending time playing with you and will certainly appreciate the treat they earn each time they track you down!

Step

Get the hang of "stay"

If your dog already knows what it means to "stay" when you tell them, you can skip this step. If not, you can work with your pup on understanding what to do when you tell them to "stay". If your energetic buddy struggles to grasp this idea, you can also have a friend hold onto their collar so that your dog stays while you go and hide.

Step

You hide; they seek

Once your dog is remaining in one place, whether on their own or with the help of a friend, it is time for you to go and hide. Make sure to bring a treat with you while you are hiding so that you can give it to your pal once they find you. Once you are hidden, call for your dog. Reward them with a yummy tidbit when they have had success and invite them to try again.

Step

Up the ante...

Your dog has gotten the hang of the game - now you can make it more complicated to keep it challenging. Recruit another friend or two who can hide in various locations around the house and have your pup find everyone. You can also play hide and seek with your pup's favorite toy or another item of interest. Get creative and most importantly, keep your dog on the move!

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Walk A Rail Trail

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Cold Day

Free

Easy

30 - 60 min

Items needed

Leash

Water and Bowl

Treats

Waste Bags

Activity description

Yes, it is cold out, but that does not mean you and your pup won't enjoy a little fresh air! And if you are moving along at a brisk pace, your blood will be flowing and you will warm up. There several rail-trails in Kansas, any one of which would be great for taking a walk with your pup. The rail-trails are supported by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, which is a nonprofit organization that is seeking to create a nationwide trail network from former rail lines and connecting corridors. There is the Haskell Rail-Trail in Lawrence and as well, The Prairie Spirit Rail Trail in Ottawa, Richmond and Welda, for example. And of course, you can always take a walk around the area where you live. Just be sure to dress appropriately for the weather!

Step

Choose your route

First, you will want to decide where you and your pup are going to take a walk. Whether it is around the block, on a hiking trail or within a park, you and your pup will have the opportunity to get some fresh air on a cold, clear day as well as meet your pup's (and your) activity needs. Think about the length of time that you plan to walk. If you are going to take a short walk, for example, it may be easiest to just walk out your front door and walk for as long as you have time for. A longer hike will take a bit more planning but is definitely doable if both of you are dressed for the elements.

Step

A jacket for both

When spending time outdoors on a cold day in Kansas, you will want to be sure to dress for the weather. This means a warm coat, as well as a hat, scarf and gloves. Depending on how long you plan to be outdoors for, you might choose to layer, so that you can take off your jacket or other items once you warm up. If you do plan to be out for a while, a backpack can be helpful to have along. Then you can place any items that you remove into the backpack for easy carrying. If your dog tends to get chilly, a dog sweater or jacket can help.

Step

Crisp, fresh air

Once you are dressed and know where you are going, you and your pup are ready to take a walk and enjoy the crisp, cool air. While it may have been hard to motivate yourself to take your pup out on a particularly cold day, you will discover that the fresh air is invigorating and that you don't stay cold for long. And of course, one look at your dog's happy face will help you forget about the chill in the air!

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More Fun Ideas...

Work On Tricks

Are there neat tricks you have been wanting to work on with your pup but have not had the time? Cold days are perfect for spending time indoors working on these with your pooch. Decide on a few tricks that you would like to focus on and do some research online for information on how to best train your pup to perform each trick. You will find websites and videos that will walk you through how to work with your dog. You can access the information repeatedly as you go, particularly if you and your pup are struggling. Make sure to have plenty of treats available as they will help with the training!

Visit Westlake ACE Hardware

Do you have any hardware store needs? If so, or if you simply want to browse and envision future possibilities, your pup is welcome to join you at Westlake ACE Hardware. There are multiple locations of the store in Kansas. As long as your pup remains on-leash, they can check out the store's offerings along with you. While you may not have any items that you need to purchase at a hardware store, you will find plenty of things to look at, something of which may peak your interest for a future project!

Fill Up A Puzzle Toy

Puzzle toys are a great way to keep your pup busy, mentally and physically active AND out of trouble! The toys are usually made out of rubber or hard plastic and can be filled with treats, kibble or something sticky (and yummy) like peanut butter. Your pup will have to figure out how to manipulate the toy just right so that the treat will be released. This will certainly keep your pooch focused as they attempt to access what is inside! Not only will your dog be occupied, but you will likely get a kick out of watching their efforts!

Conclusion

Don't despair if the weather is cold in Kansas. There are plenty of indoor activities that you and your pooch can engage in; many of which don't involve leaving your own home! In addition, if you dress for the weather, and get involved in something active, you may find that being outside in the cold is not as bad as you anticipated. You will appreciate the many benefits of a pup whose activity needs are met and enjoy an even stronger relationship as a result of the time you have spent together engaged in different activities!