Written by Aurus Sy
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 02/11/2022, edited: 02/01/2023
Overview
Wintertime means spending more time indoors. While you may have a number of things to keep you occupied until the snow goes away, you may be worried about how your pup will cope with being cooped up inside the house. But don’t fret!
Outdoor adventures may be off the table for now, but there are plenty of indoor activities to keep your dog from bouncing off the walls. Here are 5 furbulous indoor winter games for dogs that your furbaby will love!
Find it
The Find It game, also known as a treasure hunt or scavenger hunt, is a furrific indoor activity for any time of the year, including the winter. Since most dogs are naturally good at following their noses, Find It is a great game for pups of all ages, especially those who love to sniff and are food motivated! All you’ll need are your doggo’s favorite treats. Toys and certain household items can be used to make the game more challenging.
How to set up:
- Close the door or place your dog in a separate room so they don’t see you hiding the treats. Let your dog sniff a toy filled with treats or the treats themselves for a moment before you go to hide them.
- Hide the treats around the room, at different heights that your dog can reach (floor level, nose level, on furniture, etc.). Some good hiding spots are behind things such as table legs or doors and under objects such as chairs or pillows. Keep it simple at first.
- If your dog is already a pro at this game, you can increase the difficulty by scattering the treats in multiple rooms and/or hiding the treats in objects like toys, boxes, containers, or rolled up towels.
- Once everything is set up, let your pup loose and let the hunt begin! Be sure to give them hints and guidance if they’re struggling. Treats hidden at higher levels can be harder to find.
Indoor fetch
If you have a nice, open space in your home, then indoor fetch is a good way to help your pup blow off steam during the winter. Older dogs can enjoy this game too—just keep it low-impact by rolling the ball instead of throwing it. Fetch isn’t a skill that comes naturally to all canines, but you can definitely teach your dog how to do it.
How to set up:
- Make sure the play area is big enough for your dog. If possible, choose an area with a carpeted floor.
- Remove any breakable items or things your pup could crash into.
- Throw the ball gently and at a short distance first to see how it goes.
- If all goes well, you can increase the distance, or throw the toy up or down stairs for some extra exercise- so long as your dog doesn't have any physical limitations or issues.
If you have a heavy chewer who has a knack for destroying their toys, try Rocco & Roxie’s Fetch-able Fun Dog Toy Ball. Made of an ultra-tough material called thermoplastic elastomer, it’s designed to hold up to powerful doggie jaws and with pet safety in mind. It also has a hole where you can hide treats.
Indoor barkour
Your dog can learn and practice “barkour” skills with an indoor obstacle course. For this game, you don’t need a lot of space and you can use everyday objects you already have around the house. Best of all, you can design the course to suit your pup’s skill level and preferences!
How to set up:
- Gather your “equipment” and place them around a room to form a canine obstacle course. Some items you can use are pillows, cushions, cardboard boxes, chairs, stacks of books, footstools, rolled up blankets, broomsticks, and coffee tables.
- If your dog is not sure what to do, place rewards around the course or try to lure them with treats to encourage them to jump, climb, and navigate the course.
Hide-and-seek
Hide-and-seek is a puptastic way to exercise your dog and bond with them at the same time. Ideally, they should already know how to sit, stay, and come. But you can also play this game with a dog who doesn’t have these commands down yet if you have an assistant.
How to play:
- Ask your dog to sit and stay. If your dog doesn’t understand the “stay” command, have someone hold them while you go hide.
- Leave the room and hide in another part of the house.
- Call your pup’s name and encourage them to come find you.
- Celebrate and make a big fuss when they’ve located you.
- Incorporate nosework into the game by not calling your dog’s name while you’re hiding so that they’ll have to use their sense of smell to find you.
Winter cleaning
Being stuck indoors is the perfect time to do some winter cleaning. Make it more fun by getting your pooch to join you and turning it into a game! Teaching your four-legged friend to put away their toys not only makes for a tidier home, but it also keeps them mentally stimulated. To play this game, your dog must already know the “take it” and “drop it” commands.
How to play:
- Grab one of your dog’s toys and ask them to take it, or command them to pick it up.
- Lead your dog to their toy basket. When they’re standing over the basket, ask them to drop the toy.
- When they drop it in, reward them with lots of praise.
- Repeat until your pup has successfully put all of their toys away!
Can't stay home to entertain your pup? Download the Wag! app to book a drop-in visit with a trusted Pet Caregiver to keep your dog's spirits high throughout the winter season!
Comments (1)
Sarwar Abdullah
01/30/2023
Provide interactive toys that challenge your dog's problem-solving skills.
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