My dogs go out on an average of between 4 and 6 walks a day during fine weather, but when it's raining, for obvious reasons, the amount of walks they go on and the time they are out is limited....Although I have to say that my husband takes them out regardless of what the weather is like....Where as I am not quite as dedicated as he is when the weather is bad :/
If, like me, you really don't want to keep going through the routine of getting wet through and then spending half an hour drying your dogs off, not to mention cleaning all the mud off them, before allowing them back into the house! Here are some fun indoor exercises for your dog(s)
If you have a flight of stairs in your home that are safe to go up and down rapidly, you might consider doing a few laps with your dog. If your dog is typical, he will follow you both up and down if you call him to -- if for nothing else than to see what you are doing “up there” and “down there.” If your dog is reluctant, have some training treats on hand to give him when he reaches the top and bottom of the stairway.
If you are not up for running up and down the stairs, (and I have to admit, to me this one sounds more appealing!!) but your dog is the active type that really needs his daily exercise, you can try sitting at the top of the stairway and tossing a ball or toy to the bottom so he can run down to get it and bring it back to you. You may even want to consider switching it up and throwing the ball up the stairs for a bit.
Hide and Go Snack
If your dog needs more of an incentive, you can set up a trail of small treats for him to search out and devour. You will have to lock him in a room, so that he doesn't cheat, while you hide the treats, unless (unlike my 2!) he is super well trained and is happy to sit obediently while you go around hiding the few snacks in strategic locations. I often play this game with my 2 dogs and they love it!
Other variations on this game may include laying a trail of treats up and down the stairs, or hiding treats in a puzzle toy that releases the treats as the dog plays with the puzzle. Puzzle toys for dogs are a must on our list of toys, in fact, since they are stimulating for both the body and mind. Using his intelligence and sense of smell to search out each and every snack will be exhilarating for your pet -- and you'll have fun watching him do it.
If, like me, you really don't want to keep going through the routine of getting wet through and then spending half an hour drying your dogs off, not to mention cleaning all the mud off them, before allowing them back into the house! Here are some fun indoor exercises for your dog(s)
If you have a flight of stairs in your home that are safe to go up and down rapidly, you might consider doing a few laps with your dog. If your dog is typical, he will follow you both up and down if you call him to -- if for nothing else than to see what you are doing “up there” and “down there.” If your dog is reluctant, have some training treats on hand to give him when he reaches the top and bottom of the stairway.
If you are not up for running up and down the stairs, (and I have to admit, to me this one sounds more appealing!!) but your dog is the active type that really needs his daily exercise, you can try sitting at the top of the stairway and tossing a ball or toy to the bottom so he can run down to get it and bring it back to you. You may even want to consider switching it up and throwing the ball up the stairs for a bit.
Hide and Go Snack
If your dog needs more of an incentive, you can set up a trail of small treats for him to search out and devour. You will have to lock him in a room, so that he doesn't cheat, while you hide the treats, unless (unlike my 2!) he is super well trained and is happy to sit obediently while you go around hiding the few snacks in strategic locations. I often play this game with my 2 dogs and they love it!
Other variations on this game may include laying a trail of treats up and down the stairs, or hiding treats in a puzzle toy that releases the treats as the dog plays with the puzzle. Puzzle toys for dogs are a must on our list of toys, in fact, since they are stimulating for both the body and mind. Using his intelligence and sense of smell to search out each and every snack will be exhilarating for your pet -- and you'll have fun watching him do it.
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