Keeping your dog entertained can be challenging especially during the winter months. To help you out we’ve put together a list of 8 easy ways to keep your dog busy inside.
The benefits to keeping your dog busy
Bored dogs tend to get into trouble. By playing with your dog a few times a day you can decrease the likelihood of them developing bad habits like chewing up shoes or your new furniture.
“There is a growing acceptance among scientists that play is very, very important and the type and frequency of play are a really good indicator of a dog’s quality of life. – Mark Evans, former RSPCA chief veterinarian.
8 Simple Ways to Keep Your Dog Busy
1. Practice training. Cold, snowy days are a great time to practice training skills. Dogs aim to please and getting your dog thinking is just as important as physical excersie. If your dog has mastered the basic skills such as sit, stay, down, and heel then try teaching them a new trick. Youtube is a great source to learn new tricks. When it comes to training and learning new skills having the right type of treat is KEY. Our dogs are highly motivated with Rocco & Roxie treats. We break up the sticks into smaller pieces and put them in an easy access container. Watch this video for some fun tricks you could teach your dog!
2. Bake treats. Make homemade dog treats and insert them inside a toy. Our recipes take 5 minutes to make and will be something your dog will enjoy.
3. Get a Puzzle Toy. Puzzle toys are a great way to keep your dog busy. Interactive toys will help your dog focus on a task and help with his or her mental stimulation. Below are some puzzle toys that we recommend.
Hide and Seek Squirrel Toy | Interactive Treat Puzzle | Tug A Jug
4. Play The Which Hand Game. This game is great for teaching your dog scents. The only thing you’ll need is some dog treats, and if don’t any on hand you can use some chopped up carrots. Chopped up carrots make excellent treats for scent games and training. They’re low in calories, easy to prepare, and (most) dogs love them.
How to Play the Game:
Place a treat in one of your hands.
Close your fists and hold them out in front of your dog.
Let the dog choose which hand it’s in.
When your dog sniffs or paws the correct hand open it up and give them the treat.
If he chooses incorrectly don’t discourage him, it takes a few tries to catch on.
A gentle “touch” command will be helpful.
5. Doggy Play Date. Does your dog have some dog friends? Invite them over for play time. It’s so important for your dog to interact with other dogs and it’s a guarantee that you’ll have a tired dog at the end of the day.
6. Interactive Toppl Toy. A treat dispenser is a great way to keep your dog busy! You can easily insert treats, veggies, peanut butter, yogurt, or biscuits into this Toppl toy. It will keep your dog busy for a while as he or she is trying to loosen the treats. Did we mention its dishwasher safe?
7. Take a class. Winter is a perfect time for you and your dog to spend some quality time together and take a class. There are a wide number of classes you can sign up for that can teach you and your pooch a thing or two. Classes range from indoor training and swimming classes, flyball classes, or dog owner meet-ups to get your dog socialising.
8. Go to an indoor shopping mall. If you live in Utah, City Creek is an awesome dog friendly mall. Most shops have treats and drinks for your dog. Shopping with your dog— doesn’t get any better!