If you live somewhere that frequently experiences temperatures below freezing, the conditions may not be ideal for taking your dog for a walk outside or for playing outside in the yard. When it is that cold outside, you need to find ways to allow your dog to exercise inside of your home. Treat dispensing toys, kibble hunts, fetch and tug-a-war can be good ways to keep your dog active when it is cold outside.

Treat Dispensing Toys

Make your dog work for its food with food dispensing toys. Toys that hid your dog's food can keep your dog entertained for hours on end. There are rubber toys that you can stuff with treats for your dog. These rubber toys require your dog to figure out puzzles in order to work the food out of the toys. In order to figure out how to get the toys out, your dog is going to have to engage both their brain and their body.

Kibble Hunt

A kibble hunt is a fun way to get your dog to be more active when eating their regular meals. When you get your dog's food ready, put them in their kennel. When they come out of their kennel, put a smile pile of food right in front of their kennel, and then put small piles of food in a trail around your house, leading to the bowl. This will allow your dog to use their sense and engage in a little bit of a treasure hunt in order to eat or get to their main meal. As your dog gets better at a kibble hunt, you can make it more difficult to keep your dog engaged.    

Fetch

You can still play fetch inside if you have a long hallway or a big room in your house. Make sure that you have ample space for this game. If you have open space in your house, a game of fetch can be a great way to allow your dog to get in some running and cardio exercise inside of your home.

Tug-A-War

You can always play tug-a-war with your dog, even in a small space. Just make sure that your dog has enough room to move back and forth a little bit. You don't need too much space, just a little room for your dog to maneuver.

When playing tug-a-war, be sure to let your dog win once in a while, and don't get too aggressive with pulling against your dog. You want to provide them with some resistance, but you don't want to harm your dog.

After your dog "wins" be sure to give them pats and a treat. Help your dog transition to a playful mood again. Talk with a vet, such as at Veterinary Emergency Services Of Lincoln, for more help.