The hardest time of year for dogs has to be winter. It's cold, it's icy, and we humans can't stand the thought of going for a 2-mile walk with our dog when the wind chill is so cold your eyes sting.
Dogs end up sitting indoors, desperate for some way to release pent up energy. We usually find that they do it by chewing, barking, running madly throughout the house or generally being pushier for attention than usual. What's worse is when you finally do decide to take your beloved dog out for a walk, he is so excited and full of beans that you run the risk of ending up in a full body cast from being dragged in the snow and ice. Well, here are some tips to help you and your furry friend survive until spring:
First, get the right tools to walk your dog. If your dog is a puller already, it will be very dangerous to walk him on icy roads and sidewalks. Although a leash and collar might be fine for general control, it is not the best tool for getting an immediate handle on the pulling. There are many different tools made now to reduce pulling, like the Gentle Leader or Easy Walk Harness by Premier. Both aid in giving you quick control over your dog safely. There are other tools out there too, and I suggest researching and finding the right one for your dog. If you don't know where to start, ask at your local pet store and consult your veterinarian or trainer. I also suggest taking a class or meeting with a trainer to work on loose leash walking to help you and your dog enjoy walking together!
Next, there's what to do inside the house on those days when it's impossible to go out. Games like tug-of-war, hide-and-seek and fetch are great options for you and your dog. Tug-of-war is simple, but should be controlled and broken up with mini obedience sessions in between. Hide-and-seek is a great game for families and couples. Have someone in the house go hide in a room behind a bed or chair with a treat or toy and call the dog. The other person then encourages the dog to find them and when the dog does, he gets a big reward. Then start over with the other person. Gradually hide in harder places, like in closets. This will also help your recall too! Fetch is easy, but some dogs just aren't into it. However, you can toss low-calorie treats like Cheerios down a long hallway for your dog to chase and eat. A few reps of that usually tires them out a little.
Remember to have some interactive toys like Kongs on rotation to give your dog something to do! Fill your Kong with wet dog food and freeze it, or use healthy leftovers mixed with dry kibble. You can also get creative with your dog and take an old empty milk jug, poke some holes in it and put some kibble in that for him to work on. The point is, anything that relieves him of boredom is going to relieve you too.
If you are going to be giving your dog treat-filled toys, and he will not be getting as much exercise, you can use his regular meal rations mixed in with the treats or cut back on his daily food so he does not put weight on during the winter.
If all else fails, and you are at your wit's end, enroll your dog in doggie daycare or hire a dog walker to get you through the season. It doesn't have to be every day, but just a couple of times per week can make a world of difference in your dogs demeanor!
Helen is a certified dog trainer and the owner of No Monkey Business Dog Training in Concord.
