Nothing beats the magic of a snow day (well, the magic of the first few of the season). People may get hung up on the whole shoveling and ice scraping saga, but watching dogs in the snow reminds us that this white stuff is full of wonder. And while it might be cold as he*k, keeping pups active during winter is key to their mental and physical wellbeing. Here are 5 ideas to make the most of the marshmallow world with your furry friend.
1. Frosty Find It
A cold twist on a classic! Sprinkle smelly, high-value treats all over the place, and watch your pup have a ball sniffing ‘em out. Try yummy faves like cheese, warm foods like nuggets, or soft and stinky treats. Sniff, sniff, hooray!
2. Snowy Catch
We recommend a literal glow up on your pal’s favorite game: actual glowing toys! Try a glow-in-the-dark ball or one that lights up so you’ll be able to find the dang thing when you inevitably end up being the fetcher. If you play with a real snowball, make sure there’s no salt and avoid packing it into a colossal ice chunk (your pup’s teeth will thank you).
3. Chilly Obstacle Course
Shovel out of path for your pup, pop some treats in, and watch the fun unfold! This game requires agility, strategy, balance, and brains, so it’s perfect for keeping that brain sharp all season long. Honors students, go on and build some obstacles out of snow. If you’re feeling less than extra, buy an obstacle course set and let the games begin.
4. Winter Wonder Walk
I mean… the world is already super awesome (ask any dog). Why complicate things? Sometimes a classic walk is the ticket to yet another perfect day. Blustery weather got your boy down? Protect those tootsies with booties or some holy-grail Musher’s Secret and get bark out there!
5. Cozy Puzzle Play
Sometimes the weather outside is way too frightful. But that doesn’t mean doggo is gonna let you slack! Entertain her mind, body, and mouf with a puzzle toy. It’s no outdoor adventure, but it’ll give her some much-needed exercise while the sleet, snow, thundersnow, or whatever the pup passes.
