7 Ways To Keep Your Dog Active This Winter

Exercise is just as important for dogs as it is for humans, although it may seem a little bit harder to come by in winter. While many people want to protect their dogs from harsh winter weather as much as possible, that doesn’t mean preventing dogs from exercising. You have to think outside the box and be a little creative about it, although some traditional forms of dog exercise are still okay with the right equipment. Let’s take a look at some ways you can make sure your dog gets enough exercise this winter.

1. A Winter Hike

This is an obvious choice, but you can still take your dog for a winter walk, jog or hike. Is it cold? Yes, but there are ways both you and your pet can still enjoy the great outdoors and get plenty of exercises when it’s cold outside.

For starters, you should make sure your pet wears a warm dog jacket, especially if they are a breed that is bothered by the cold. You’ll also want to protect your dog’s feet with dog boots and shoes . This can keep their sensitive feet safe from de-icing agents on the road or sidewalk and also protect against cold temperature underfoot.

2. Skijoring

This is the perfect combination of your love of skiing and your dog’s love of running. You’ll want to make sure your dog is wearing dog boots for this activity, as it involves them running on snow and pulling you along while you wear your skis. It may take your dog a minute or two to figure things out, but once they do the two of you will be flying down the slopes and having the time of your lives.

3. An Indoor Dog Park

If being outdoors is too much for your dog during winter, you can take them to an indoor dog park to make sure they get plenty of time to run around and play. You can play fetch here, let your dog frolic from one end of the park to the other and even make new friends with other pets and pet parents. An indoor dog park provides a two-fold benefit for your dog, which includes exercise and socialization.

This is an easy solution to beating the cold winter temperatures outside and helping your dog exercise and burn off energy. Plus, these parks are becoming more popular, so you can do a quick internet search to see if there is one near you.

4. Go To a Pet Gym

This one is a bit unusual and many people may not have heard of it, but consider taking your dog to a pet gym. You can have your dog run on a dog treadmill and create a personalized routine for their needs. Some pet gyms even have a program where you can exercise with your dog, so both of you can stay healthy in the winter. You’ll have to check to see if there’s one near you, but this is a great option for making sure your dog stays healthy and receives enough exercise even if it is cold outside.

5. Create an Indoor Agility Course

If you’re looking for a way to exercise your dog in winter and keep their mind sharp, an indoor agility course may be the solution. You can do this at home by using chairs, tables, stairs and anything else you can think of to create your course. You can even use some training tools to help them through the course, such as treats, clicking devices, and bells. Your dog will find this a fun way to play and burn off energy while completing the course. Plus, you can watch your dog and marvel at how smart they are as they figure out how to move from the starting point to the finish line.

If you don’t have the means to take a course at home, you can always take your dog to an indoor agility course. That way, they can walk up ramps, move through tunnels, jump over poles and zigzag through a course that is already set up and ready to go. Some parks provide classes to help teach your dog how to maneuver through a course, so this may be a good option if you’re just starting out with agility training.

6. Take Them To Doggy Daycare

Another option you have for winter dog exercise is to take your pet to a dog daycare. Here, they can play with other dogs, run around their dog-designated space and play with toys to exercise and release their energy. You can ensure your pup stays healthy with plenty of play and exercise during winter, and a doggy daycare may be ideal if you also want your dog to socialize in a safe environment. Plus, this gives you a little break, too, where you can run errands or visit with friends while your dog plays to their heart’s content.
Schedule Play Dates

If your family members or friends also have dogs, you can create special doggy play dates where they can all get together and socialize. This encourages group play and promotes healthy exercises in the winter. You can even dress your dog up in winter outfits they can show off when they get together with other dogs and stay warm while doing so. These playdates can be at someone’s house or an indoor dog park so you can socialize with the humans while the dogs can play with each other.

7. Keep Your Dog Healthy With Exercise in the Winter

The cold winter months may make you think of reducing the amount of exercise your dog gets, especially if you and your pet are used to going outside for exercise. However, you can still ensure your dog gets plenty of winter exercise by doing the regular options with protective measures, such as dog coats and boots, or doing a few unusual options, such as doggy gyms or indoor courses. Whichever option you end up choosing for your pup, just make sure they are protected against the elements so you can keep them healthy with winter exercise.