When winter walks are too wicked

The depths of winter often make long walks difficult, if not impossible. Especially when your dogs are little, older, or fur-challenged. But without the opportunity to burn off all that extra energy, dogs, like people, can get restless and short-tempered.

To combat cabin fever, here are five games you can play at home, no training required. All these games are for both of you to play together. These aren’t for the times when you need to get stuff done and get the dog out of the way. These are play-with-your-dog games. Because dogs are fun. That’s why you have one. Or two. Three is good. Four is nuts. Trust us. We know.

Hide and Seek

Did you like hiding or being “it” when you were a kid? In the doggo version, the dog’s always “it!” If you have another person around, somebody can hang onto the dog while the other person “hides.” If your dog doesn’t catch on right away, call their name excitedly. When the dog finds you, hold on so the other person can hide. If your dog isn’t terribly motivated to go hunting for you, be ready with some treats to reward a successful search.

Sniffing Game

This is a variation on “hide and seek,” but you “search” with your dog for a pre-loaded reward. We use a couple of drops of a non-toxic-for-dogs essential oil on a cotton or gauze pad. Let the dog sniff it, so they know what they’re looking for. Then hide the pad someplace low enough for the dog to find. If you think your dog would chomp and eat the pad, put it in a small plastic container with a lid. Don’t worry that your dog won’t be able to sniff it out. One of the challenges in the sport of “nose work” or “scent work” is for dogs to find the scent inside a buried container. Dogs’ sense of smell is terrific.

Muffin Tin Tennis

This is really two games in one. Get a muffin tin and put a treat in some of the spaces. Put tennis balls on top of each. Your dog will have fun figuring out which space has the treat, and the fun of knocking all the tennis balls off their perches. And then you can play “Fetch!” with the tennis balls. 

Snuffle Up

An old dish towel works well for this game. Spread out the towel and line up some treats down the length at one edge. Then roll up the towel, starting with the side the treats are on. Tie it in a knot, and let your dog have it. Be sure it’s a towel you won’t miss - it may not survive the game.

Switcheroo

For this game, you’ll use a few of your dog’s favorite toys. Line them up on the floor, a couple feet apart. Then wiggle the first toy, inviting your dog to come pay tug. After a minute or two, you drop your end of the toy and move to the next one. Invite your dog to come play tug. And so on, either down the line, or randomly choose which toy is next. 

Inside games are good

Jus ta few minutes of active, focused play will take the edge off cabin fever tendencies. Of course you can always take the opportunity to start playing training games with your dog. Start with “Touch!” It’s a favorite with both dogs and people.