Are you getting that boooooored look more and more these days? Winter officially is here and, whether your pup is a Rottie like Juno or from a different background, chances are that at least one of you isn’t thrilled about dropping temps. Of course, here in Cheshire winter can be pretty chilly!
No matter what winter looks like, it can be tempting to spend these months holed up watching movies and cuddling on the couch. And there’s nothing at all wrong with that – until you and your dog are ready for it to be done. So, whenever that hits this winter, here’s a handy list of bore-busting winter activities you and your pup can enjoy together!
Play hide-and-seek
We all know the excitement we felt as a child as we waited to be found behind the sofa or under the bed! If you’ve never tried this with you’re pup, you’re both in for a treat! Plus, it’s fantastic practice for recall and can be played anywhere your dog’s able to be off-leash – even indoors. Here are some simple instructions for getting started >>
Give your dog a massage
Go on. Admit it! There is nothing quite like being pampered with a relaxing massage, kneeding all those knots away! While your dog will love you for it, massage can also be a great way for you to relax, practice mindfulness and also feel for any new lumps and bumps to talk to the vet about.
Here are some tips for getting started >>
Practice a new cue or trick
Dogs learn best at first without distractions, which means time inside is a great time to start learning a new trick or cue together. Juno is currently working on the ‘BED’ cue as he has nearly led to a trip to A+E on several occasions over Christmas! He has a bad habit of plonking himself anywhere that he has a chance of grabbing a dropped morsel as I prepare dinner which is fine if you are not near the cooker! And the old adage is totally wrong – old dogs can absolutely learn new tricks. In fact, sometimes their experience and patience can help them learn even faster!
PS We don't know this dogs name but we have called him William Tell!
Let their sniffer be your guide
Dog noses are amazing things, and letting them sniff-free can lead you both to unexpected places and sights. So when the winter blahs get you, consider taking a short trip outside and letting your dog’s nose lead the way. You might be surprised where you end up!
Try Doga together
Mindfulness and mediation aren’t just for humans. Check out this
online class and look locally for your own. Failing that whip out a towel or mat and get stuck into some moves and encourage the dog to join in!
Create a dog-friendly tunnel maze
This one’s a ton of fun if you have lots of post-holiday boxes laying around. Dogs love dens, so you can encourage them with a few treats and cozy blankets and they should love their temporary digs pretty quickly. This can, of course, be super fun for kids too, but be sure to watch carefully and separate dog-time and kid-time in the box maze to avoid a kerfuffle.
Have I left anything out?
What’s your favorite way to boredom-bust during the winter months?
