Dogs
By Langley Cornwell
A few years ago, there was a serious tropical storm that resulted in it pouring rain in Charleston for over a week. As luck would have it, this happened the very month we rescued our puppy. To make matters worse, I was under a tight deadline to finish up an important project that week. As you might imagine, our dog was going bonkers. I needed to entertain her to the point of exhaustion so I could get some work done, and we couldn’t go outside.
At that time our dog was young, but dogs of every age need exercise and mental stimulation regardless of the weather. In fact, this past summer it was so hot and humid that we didn’t think it was healthy to let our dog romp around outside for too long. We needed to help her burn off energy in the confines of our air-conditioned home.
My point is, there are days when you can’t offer your dog the necessary exercise and mental stimulation she needs in the great outdoors. Here are a few creative ways to entertain your dog when you can’t run around outside:
Find a friend with a dog and a basement. Seriously, my neighbor has a small dog and a large basement. When the weather isn’t conducive to outside play, she always wants me to come over with our dog so they can play together. We let the dogs wrestle and chase one another around until they wear themselves out. It’s great for them and fun for us too; we just hang out and chat. When I load our pup back in the car and get home, she takes her rightful place on the sofa for a long nap. On the flip side, if you have the space you can have the “play date” at your house. I can assure you that your friends will be grateful!
Stuff your dog’s toys. We have a few treat dispensing toys that help relieve boredom. I’ll stuff a rubber toy tightly with CANIDAE TidNips and let our dog entertain herself for hours. I’ve gotten good at packing the dog treats in so they’re hard to get out and it drives her crazy, in a good way. There are lots of puzzle toys and treat dispensing toys that can keep your dog occupied while indoors.
Make a game out of mealtime. Hide your dog’s kibble in small piles around the house and encourage her to search for it. This way, instead of just filling her food bowl and letting her gulp it down, you draw out the process and make it interesting for your dog. Depending on how energetic your dog is, you may have to crate her or ask someone to gently restrain her while you are hiding the food. With any of the treat or kibble games, remember to adjust your dog’s regular meals to accommodate the extra intake.
Take your pup on a dog friendly outing. Most pet shops and big box home improvement stores allow dogs inside. Even if you don’t really need anything, getting out, stretching your legs and looking at something other than your own four walls is good for both of you. In fact, even the car ride over there may be an improvement over your current predicament.
Devise indoor games. For instance, I’ll get on one end of the longest hallway in our house and throw an old sock full of rags to the other end. Our dog will scamper down the hall, retrieve the sock-toy and bring it back, shaking her head and prancing the whole way. When we get tired of that, I’ll grab the sock and play a gentle game of tug-of-war.
When my husband is home we play hide and seek with our dog. He’ll load his pockets with CANIDAE Snap-Bits, hide somewhere in the house, call the dog and reward her when she finds him. I’ve also turned three bowls upside down, hidden a treat under one of the bowls, mixed them up and rewarded her when she “noses” the bowl with the treat (which is almost every time).
Bad weather days are also an ideal time to brush up on basic training skills or teach new ones. When you put your mind to it, the possibilities are endless!
See also: Indoor Games to Play with Pets on a Cold Winter Day and Fun Indoor Activities for your Dog
Photo by TheGiantVermin
Read more articles by Langley Cornwell
- How To Help Your Pet Deal With The Winter Blues
By Linda Cole Some dogs enjoy outside winter activities, but not all pets or people want to be outdoors when those frigid winds are howling. Cabin fever can be a problem for our pets, but indoor activities can help to ward off those winter blues and...
- Laser Pointer Games That Are Safe For Dogs
By Tamara McRill I’ll admit it: watching a dog happily chase a pinpoint of light can be hilarious. But it turns out laser pointer games have a dark side that can actually harm a dog’s mental wellbeing. It was a heart-stopping moment when I discovered...
- Do Dogs And Cats Get Cabin Fever?
By Julia Williams Around this time every year, the side effects of winter start to take their toll on my household. My three cats and I all become irritable, depressed, bored, restless, frustrated, and just plain ticked off at the world. The bitter cold...
- Fun Indoor Activities For Your Dog
By Suzanne Alicie Sometimes it is just too cold to be playing outside with your dog, but Fido still needs exercise and entertainment. So what do you do with your dog when you’re confined inside? Anyone who loves dogs knows that there are many ways to...
- Use Interactive Dog Toys To Beat Boredom
By Linda Cole A bored dog can become a destructive pet when he's left alone. Leaving your dog with his favorite toys can help him pass the time. Better yet, provide some interactive dog toys that give him something to do – they will challenge him...
Dogs
Creative Ways to Entertain a Dog during Bad Weather
A few years ago, there was a serious tropical storm that resulted in it pouring rain in Charleston for over a week. As luck would have it, this happened the very month we rescued our puppy. To make matters worse, I was under a tight deadline to finish up an important project that week. As you might imagine, our dog was going bonkers. I needed to entertain her to the point of exhaustion so I could get some work done, and we couldn’t go outside.
At that time our dog was young, but dogs of every age need exercise and mental stimulation regardless of the weather. In fact, this past summer it was so hot and humid that we didn’t think it was healthy to let our dog romp around outside for too long. We needed to help her burn off energy in the confines of our air-conditioned home.
My point is, there are days when you can’t offer your dog the necessary exercise and mental stimulation she needs in the great outdoors. Here are a few creative ways to entertain your dog when you can’t run around outside:
Find a friend with a dog and a basement. Seriously, my neighbor has a small dog and a large basement. When the weather isn’t conducive to outside play, she always wants me to come over with our dog so they can play together. We let the dogs wrestle and chase one another around until they wear themselves out. It’s great for them and fun for us too; we just hang out and chat. When I load our pup back in the car and get home, she takes her rightful place on the sofa for a long nap. On the flip side, if you have the space you can have the “play date” at your house. I can assure you that your friends will be grateful!
Stuff your dog’s toys. We have a few treat dispensing toys that help relieve boredom. I’ll stuff a rubber toy tightly with CANIDAE TidNips and let our dog entertain herself for hours. I’ve gotten good at packing the dog treats in so they’re hard to get out and it drives her crazy, in a good way. There are lots of puzzle toys and treat dispensing toys that can keep your dog occupied while indoors.
Make a game out of mealtime. Hide your dog’s kibble in small piles around the house and encourage her to search for it. This way, instead of just filling her food bowl and letting her gulp it down, you draw out the process and make it interesting for your dog. Depending on how energetic your dog is, you may have to crate her or ask someone to gently restrain her while you are hiding the food. With any of the treat or kibble games, remember to adjust your dog’s regular meals to accommodate the extra intake.
Take your pup on a dog friendly outing. Most pet shops and big box home improvement stores allow dogs inside. Even if you don’t really need anything, getting out, stretching your legs and looking at something other than your own four walls is good for both of you. In fact, even the car ride over there may be an improvement over your current predicament.
Devise indoor games. For instance, I’ll get on one end of the longest hallway in our house and throw an old sock full of rags to the other end. Our dog will scamper down the hall, retrieve the sock-toy and bring it back, shaking her head and prancing the whole way. When we get tired of that, I’ll grab the sock and play a gentle game of tug-of-war.
When my husband is home we play hide and seek with our dog. He’ll load his pockets with CANIDAE Snap-Bits, hide somewhere in the house, call the dog and reward her when she finds him. I’ve also turned three bowls upside down, hidden a treat under one of the bowls, mixed them up and rewarded her when she “noses” the bowl with the treat (which is almost every time).
Bad weather days are also an ideal time to brush up on basic training skills or teach new ones. When you put your mind to it, the possibilities are endless!
See also: Indoor Games to Play with Pets on a Cold Winter Day and Fun Indoor Activities for your Dog
Photo by TheGiantVermin
Read more articles by Langley Cornwell
- How To Help Your Pet Deal With The Winter Blues
By Linda Cole Some dogs enjoy outside winter activities, but not all pets or people want to be outdoors when those frigid winds are howling. Cabin fever can be a problem for our pets, but indoor activities can help to ward off those winter blues and...
- Laser Pointer Games That Are Safe For Dogs
By Tamara McRill I’ll admit it: watching a dog happily chase a pinpoint of light can be hilarious. But it turns out laser pointer games have a dark side that can actually harm a dog’s mental wellbeing. It was a heart-stopping moment when I discovered...
- Do Dogs And Cats Get Cabin Fever?
By Julia Williams Around this time every year, the side effects of winter start to take their toll on my household. My three cats and I all become irritable, depressed, bored, restless, frustrated, and just plain ticked off at the world. The bitter cold...
- Fun Indoor Activities For Your Dog
By Suzanne Alicie Sometimes it is just too cold to be playing outside with your dog, but Fido still needs exercise and entertainment. So what do you do with your dog when you’re confined inside? Anyone who loves dogs knows that there are many ways to...
- Use Interactive Dog Toys To Beat Boredom
By Linda Cole A bored dog can become a destructive pet when he's left alone. Leaving your dog with his favorite toys can help him pass the time. Better yet, provide some interactive dog toys that give him something to do – they will challenge him...