Hide treats from your dog. Dogs can smell things, even when hidden, so find a treat, get the dog’s attention and then hide it somewhere. A small treat can go under a pie tin, larger treats in a corner of the closet. Your dog will get a lot of activity going on the search. Start with easy hiding spots and make it more challenging as you go. Companies even sell treat puzzles where you hide the treat in a toy and let your dog (or cat) work on getting it out. It’s a good solo game for the dog to play for when you leave for the day.
Tug of war. It’s something my parent’s dog could have played for hours. Tug of war is a good way to keep your pet engaged during the winter months and is fun for the whole family to play as well! It’s recommended using a rope of small girth of any length. Ropes that are too big can hurt the dog in the long run.
Indoor catch. If you have carpet and a decent hallway, it’s the perfect place to throw a ball around and let your dog play catch with it. If you have stairs, throw the ball up the stairs so long as it is safe for the dog to run up and down (wood, non-carpeted stairs can cause accidents).
Train your dog. When everyone is stuck indoors, it’s a good time to teach your dog new tricks. You’ll have the extra time and patience to spend training the dog on anything you’d like. Some dog owners have even been able to train their dog to clean up its toys. Reward the dog with healthy snacks for all the successful missions!
Indoor dog park. There are several indoor parks that you can take your dog to in the winter time in Kansas City. Several include a bar, coffee shop or even full restaurant for the humans to enjoy.
Keeping your dog active, even in the winter is the best way to ensure its health, and your sanity. Be safe, but be creative and have fun with your pets when the snow really starts to fly this winter. For more pets tips and information like us on Facebook!
