10 Big Winter Fun Ideas for Small Dogs

When the cold weather hits, it can be particularly rough for smaller breeds that don't handle low temperatures well. While your long walks may need a break, you can still have plenty of fun with your tiny pup during the winter. Here are 10 small dog winter activities that can keep you both from going stir crazy during the holidays!

1. Schedule a Checkup: There's no better time for a checkup that the start of winter. Being stuck in the house all day is no fun or any pup, and while a trip to the vet might not be their idea of a great time, either, it will let you find out how well your little pal can handle the cold. Also, if you plan on any backyard fun, having your dog's joints and muscles examined will help determine if he or she can handle the extra work it takes to move through the snow.
2. Politeness Training: Socializing your pets is always a challenge, and during the winter months it can be especially difficult when dog parks close for the season. Thankfully, most pet stores now welcome little paws, and when the weather is cold these locations tend to be busier. Fill up your pockets with some small treats before heading out the door and offer your captivated canine rewards as they work on their behavior.
3. Friendly Welcomes: Another great thing about the wintertime is that you often get a lot of guests stopping by. You'll want your pup to be on his or her best behavior when Grandma comes over, especially when it's the big Holiday Dinner. Take the time during poor walking weather to teach your dog the best way to treat guests and how to act when the doorbell rings. Time indoors is a perfect opportunity to work on correcting the old jump-and-hug that most guests disagree with!
4. Indoor Obstacles: Since prolonged excursions outdoors aren't recommended for tinier pups, one of the most fun small dog winter activities is to create an indoor obstacle course. Having a small breed means almost anything you find around the house can be used to make fun paths and interesting barriers that your dog really has to think his or her way through. Not only will this tire your pup out, but if you have kids to help, it can be a great way for everyone to get in on the fun!
5. Puppy Play Dates: There's nothing like sharing a cold day with a pal, and inviting your besties over with their own four-legged friends lets them all work of some steam. If you've still got the obstacle course set up, then your pup can lead the others through, too, and you've even got some extra help for post-play cleanup!
6. Snow A-Mazing: If you've got a big backyard, there's a whole field of opportunity after a big storm. With just a shover or snowblower, you can create a shallow maze for smaller dogs whose stature makes it difficult to see over even the shortest of walls. While they wind their way through a winter wonderland, you can safely watch from the sidelines, sipping hot cocoa and ready to step in if things get too cold. You can even include tunnels and obstacles, a great option for when you want your dog to work out their pent-up energy. Just don't forget some booties to keep your little guy or girl's tootsies warm!
7. Clean Up: Spending time indoors inevitably means the floors are going to get cluttered. Cleaning up the house is a big chore, so having your little buddy give you a hand (or a paw) once in a while can be a big help. Training dogs to put toys away on command is always useful, and you can even try more advanced tasks, too. Imagine how much easier it would be to collect laundry with a little helper pulling the basket behind you?
8. Language Arts: Having a cleanup helper is nice, but imagine how much more interesting things could be if your dog could communicate with more words? It's been shown that canines can have massive vocabularies, and teaching your pup to understand more means you can tell him or her to "go get your leash" or "bring me your bowl," simplifying everyday tasks. Since dogs love to learn new things, it's a great chance to keep little minds occupied as they figure out exactly what you're trying to say.
9. Dual Workout: Just because it's tough for you and your pup to get outside for long walks around the neighborhood, it doesn't mean you're completely out of luck. Just like at the gym, using a treadmill simulates the experience in the warmth and safety of your own home. Now with doggy treadmills , you and your pup can patrol the living room with the same tenacity as the streets.
10. Doggy Daycare: If you're missing time at the dog park and your furry friend loses out on playing with other dogs, a daycare may be the best way to go. Not only do these locations make obstacle courses and plan activities to keep pups entertained, but it's also an excellent time to get some paw-on-paw interaction. You may even want to keep up attendance after the holidays so your little buddy can see all of his new friends on a weekly basis!

If you do plan to take your pet outdoors, don't forget to make sure he or she is well covered, and that salt and dirt can be big problems to tiny paws. Digging and playing in the snow is great fun and exercise, but you'll need to keep a close eye on small breeds since they just don't have the body mass to handle extreme weather.

The colder months are always hard for little breeds to deal with. High-energy pets make being closed inside from bad weather seem like a chore, and coming up with a variety of activities seem like a big hassle. With some planning and a little extra gear, you can come up with small dog winter activities that will keep you and your pet looking forward to the Holiday Season all year round!