Winter Wellness: Keeping Your Dog Active in Ontario’s Snowy Season
Winter in Ontario, especially in picturesque cottage country, transforms landscapes into snowy wonderlands. But for dog owners, it also brings the challenge of keeping their furry friends active. While snowflakes dance outside, maintaining training and physical activity for our canine companions is crucial, albeit in a different, more indoor-centric way.
Consider the breed of your dog; a Husky might revel in snowy romps, while a Chihuahua prefers the cozy indoors. This variation in breed characteristics means adjusting activities to suit your dog’s natural inclinations and ability to cope with the cold.
The lack of regular outdoor activities can lead to noticeable behavior changes in dogs. You might see signs of separation anxiety, excessive barking, increased hyperactivity, or other attention-seeking behaviors. These are cues that your pet needs more mental and physical stimulation.
Combat cabin fever with these indoor activities:
• Treadmill Training: A safe way for controlled indoor exercise.
• Hide and Seek: Reinforce ‘stay’ and ‘come’ commands while having fun.
• Sniff and Find: Hide treats or meals around the house for a tasty scavenger hunt.
• Food/Treat-Dispensing Toys: These keep dogs mentally engaged while feeding.
• Indoor Fetch: Use soft, indoor-friendly fetch toys like the Chuckit!™ Indoor Ball Dog Toy to play fetch safely indoors.
• Trick Training: Utilize meal times for teaching new tricks, turning feeding into a learning session.
• Stair Climbing: Combine this with fetch for a more challenging workout.
• Obedience in Play: Merge ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘come’ commands with playful activities for ongoing training.
Be mindful of your dog’s diet. With reduced activity, use their regular meals as training rewards instead of additional treats. Adjust food portions to prevent weight gain during less active months.
As winter blankets Ontario in snow, remember that with a little creativity, keeping your dog active and engaged indoors can be a joyful and bonding experience. Stay warm, stay active, and enjoy the season with your four-legged family member.
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You can also email me at ineke@ptbodogtrainer.ca
