Winter Activities and Enrichment

Indoor fetch: Make use of the “get it” and “drop it” commands! Have your pet fetch a soft ball or special toys.

Indoor hurdles: Attach a rope, perhaps a jump rope, to opposite sides of a hallway (or your own set up.) Start low and gradually increase the height. Instruct your dog saying “jump” or “over.” First show them how to do it. If you’re having fun, they’ll follow!

Indoor obstacle course: Set up chairs to “go around” “under” and “through.” Blankets can make tunnels; jump over pillows!

Hide and seek/scavenger hunt: Ask your dog to find you as you hide around corners or other rooms in the house; hide toys or treats.

Bubbles: Chasing and hopping for bubbles is fun and creates opportunity for movement. Dog-friendly options are available through Chewy.

Puzzle games:
• Place treats in a muffin tin. Cover with tennis balls.
• Shuffle game: Place three cups upside down with a treat under only one. Shuffle the cups around and have your dog discover the one with the treat!
• For purchase: Puzzle games created by Nina Ottosan. Designs come in various difficulty levels.

Snuffle mat, snuffle and sniffle balls: Mats and balls can be made by do-it-yourselfers or purchased. Snuffle balls are great for catch in the house. They’re soft, so won’t break anything, and made of fleece, so machine washable! Options available on Amazon and Chewy.

Amazon search for snuffle ball

Chewy search for snuffle mat

“Clean up:” Put toys away! Begin with “take it” or “get it.” Walk over to where you want the toys to go and instruct to “drop it.”

“Touch!” Teach “touch” (nose to hand/object) and “paw” (paw to hand/object). Fun advanced skills using the command. Turn on lights; play a toddler’s toy light up keyboard or kid’s bowling (both might be found at Goodwill). Teach “nudge,” for a stronger push with the nose.

“Red light, green light.” A dog friendly version of the kids’ game! While your dog is tagging along next to you (and isn’t that often the case!) say, “yellow light.” Then randomly say “green light” and suddenly start running. At another point say, “red light” and stop on a dime. Keep doing random combinations. Keeps you both on your toes/paws!

Dance with your dog: For ideas, take a look at Carolyn Scott and Rookie dancing to Grease on YouTube.

Lick Mat: Spread pumpkin, healthy baby food (containing no garlic or onion powder), peanut butter or your choice spreadables for your dog to sniff, forage and “hunt!” Chewy search for lick mat.

Chase Snowballs: Head outdoors and let your dog chase snowballs!

Field trip: Visit stores with your pet such as Petco, PetSmart, and Pet Supplies Plus. Some Michaels, Home Depot, Home Goods, Bass Pro, and Farm and Fleet stores welcome dogs. Check with your local store first. Dogs can be walked in Yorktown Mall. Some of their individual stores welcome them too.