If you and your pet have been active all year, there should be no reason to become sloth-like during the winter. Admittedly, it can be tempting to curl up inside when temperatures plummet, but getting active and staying active with your dog will actually change your life. With a bit of creativity and planning, it’s possible to enjoy every season with your pet and get more benefits than you might be aware of at the same time. Here are a few activity suggestions for winter activities with dogs that could help keep you both healthier during the colder months.
Ideas for outdoor winter activities with dogs
Hiking
Hiking is a very popular activity and shouldn’t be reserved for the warmer months. When there is snow on the ground, it certainly adds to the intensity of a hike. You can hike without needing additional equipment, but do take plenty of water, snacks and a first aid kit. Protect yourself and your dog against the elements with appropriate clothing and footwear. With any outdoor activity during the winter, make sure your pet’s paws are washed clean of salt after being outside. If you are likely to be going out into harsh weather conditions regularly think about your dog’s paws. You may want to consider investing in hiking boots for your dog. Alternatively, paw wax can protect the paws from ice and snow.
Running
Some dog breeds are simply not suited to running. Check with your vet and with your doctor to see whether you are both OK to embark on this more intense exercise programme. If you both get the green light, start off with short runs. Gradually build up distance and duration when you are both able to achieve this. Basically all you need is suitable running shoes for you. It is preferable to use a harness on your dog and some people choose to use a lead that attaches to the owner’s waist to give a more hands-free option while running. Think carefully about your dog’s needs during a run – take breaks when needed, don’t overtire the dog (or yourself), and make sure that you both get sufficient water.
Practise nose work
Not everyone wants to or is able to participate in intense forms of winter activities, but in addition to regular walking, there are other more moderate activities that you can introduce during the winter months. Practising nose work is a fun search activity for your dog, based on the scent training that police and rescue dogs undergo. This activity provides great physical exercise but is fantastic for mental stimulation too. Dogs learn to search for a specific scent and find the source of that scent. The nice thing is that it you can do nose work almost anywhere. The wind, rain, and snow can affect scent flow, so practising in the winter can be a different experience from other seasons. If you would like to develop your skills, organisations such as Scent Work UK can help you find an instructor in your area.
Ideas for indoor winter activities with dogs
Make an indoor agility course
If the weather is just too severe to venture outside safely, you can set up an agility course in your own living room. It is possible to purchase objects like tunnels, hoops, and hurdles for your pet, but if your budget doesn’t stretch to those, simply look around your home and everyday objects can achieve a similar result. Set up obstacles with items like brooms or rolled up blankets and encourage your pet to jump over these obstacles. Initially, you can jump over the obstacles too, but aim to progress to verbal cues. Items like newspaper or foil on the ground, help your dog to get familiar with different textures and sounds under his paws. Add a collapsed tunnel adventure by using a chair draped in a blanket – sit at one end and encourage your pet to go through.
Go to an indoor dog park or dog gym
Indoor dog parks are essentially like soft play centres for dogs. Designed for year-round use, but particularly helpful in extremes of weather, indoor dog parks are a great option. You can sign up for an agility class, a splash in a paddling pool, or even have a go at doga (yoga with your dog!). Many indoor dog parks have opened throughout the UK, so check online to find one in your area. Dog gyms are similar but have a stronger emphasis on the dog’s fitness. They offer a broad range of gym exercises for dogs and even offer hydrotherapy pools.
How can winter activities with dogs change your life?
There are many benefits of getting active with your dog. The following are a selection of ways in which your life can improve by exercising with your pet during the winter months:
- Any activity or exercise during the winter is great. You’ll improve cardiovascular health and overall muscle tone for you and your dog.
- Research proves that exercise helps with mental health. Endorphins are released during exercise reducing depression and anxiety.
- Exposure to natural sunlight helps in overcoming SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), which can affect many people during the winter months.
- You are never truly lonely with a dog in your life. However, engaging in activities that promote social interaction is good to combat isolation. Going to an indoor dog park is helpful for anyone struggling with loneliness and boosts mental health.
- Any activity allows you to develop closer bonds with your pet, which is good for the soul in general.
With countless benefits, pick an activity that you and your pet can enjoy and will do regularly. Get active and maximise your time with your best friend!
What winter activities do you and your pet love to do at this time of year? We’d love to hear about it!
