Keep Your Dog Fit This Winter With Indoor Exercises

BY | November 20 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY

The winter is a tough time for dogs. The cold temperatures make it dangerous for dogs to be outside for too long and the salt and ice can hurt their paws. However, just because the situation isn't right to play with your dog outside doesn't mean they have to give up their workout routine. Try these easy indoor activities to keep your pooch's body and mind healthy.

1. Indoor fetch 

healthy-treats-snow-blog-1

Fetch is a classic game to play with your dog, but if it's too cold out, it won't be any fun. Instead, try taking your furry friend and a tennis ball into the garage or basement. Throw and bounce the ball around the room. Although you won't be able to get the distance that you would outside, bouncing the ball around the room allows your dog to run all over the small space and get a serious cardiovascular workout.

2. Hide and seek 

healthy-treats-snow-blog-2

A game as old as time, you can play this childhood favorite with your dog as well. Simply place your dog in one room while you hide yourself or a treat in another room farther away, call your dog and give them a chance to find you or the treat in the hiding spot. This lets your dog use their nose to search for something. Repeat this a few times to get a good workout in and reward them with 

healthy treats

.

3. Tug-of-war 

healthy-treats-snow-blog-3

Some people avoid tug-of-war with their dog because they're afraid it will rile them up or teach them bad habits, but the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals explained tug can be

a safe, fun activity

."Playing tug with your dog can provide a wonderful outlet for her natural canine urges to grab and pull on things with her mouth. You can also use this game to exercise your dog and teach her important lessons, such as how to listen to you when she's excited," the ASPCA explained.

4. Build an obstacle course 

healthy-treats-snow-blog-4

Whether you want to practice agility training or just play with your pup,

an obstacle course is a great indoor activity

to get their blood pumping, according to Cesar's Way. Include plenty of items to climb on and jump through and watch your dog have the time of their life.

PetPlus

is the best place on the Web for nutritious treats to reward your dog for a long day of indoor athletics.

How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need in Winter?

When winter comes around, you need to take extra care of your dog. This means you need to know how much exercise does your dog need in winter. The good news is there are plenty of ways to exercise your dog. A big dog might revel in the snow while a small one would not be so keen on exercising in the winter.

Exercising is Good for Your Dog

Winter means there will snow and ice on the ground. It makes sense to start exercising your dog slowly at first. When your dog becomes accustomed to exercising in the winter, you can make it do the exercises longer. It could be a good idea to speak with your vet to find out how much exercise your dog needs. The good news is you can start by consulting the guidelines regarding exercising your dog in the winter. Try not to exercise your dog too much in the winter if the conditions are very icy.

Donโ€™t make it Lazy

On the other hand, if you do not exercise your dog in the winter, it can become fat and lazy. A fat and lazy dog would then become problematic healthily. You have to ensure that its knees are strong and that it can withstand the cold. Another thing you need to keep in mind is keeping your dog warm so that it does not develop other problems.

Can Your Dog Withstand the Cold?

Does your dog like to sleep in the winter? If so, it could be a sign that it needs to be exercised. Most dogs have coats that can withstand cold weather conditions. Remember that when the temperatures dip, you should not allow your dog to stay indoors all the time. You should check whether your dog can withstand the cold. Most dogs do.

Tips to Ensure Safe Exercising

Before and after you exercise your dog in the winter, make sure its paws remain clean and dry. Exercising your dog for about an hour or less can do wonders for your dogโ€™s health. You can stop exercising your dog when it shows it is exhausted. That means you do not have to be too strict about the time it spends exercising in the winter.

One of the exercises you can use is called FETCH. Be sure to have some handy equipment with you that you can use to exercise your dog. Also, it would help if you made your dog wear the right clothes to stay warm and comfortable in the winter. The bottom line is exercising your dog in the winter is good for you and your pet. You also need to set out a workout routine that your dog must follow every day. Now that you know that exercising your dog in the winter go ahead and have fun with it in the winter.

Was this article helpful?

You May Also Like

Image for Winter safety tips for your dog
Winter safety tips for your dog

It can be confusing how best to prepare your dog for the winter, so weโ€™ve curated the most important tips

Read More