This post is written by partner Kelly Bove. Follow her and her puppies on her Instagram @Kelly_Bove.
With the weather getting colder quickly, it’s time to start thinking about all the fun you can have while stuck at home. Don’t let the cold weather get you down. Check out different ways to keep your pet occupied this winter.
1. Food puzzle toy!
For puppies interested in food, puzzle toys are a great outlet to help keep them mentally stimulated when confined inside the house. Some of our favorites include Snuffle his mats, food dispensing balls and Toppl toys. A snuffle mat allows you to hide your pet’s food or treats all over the fleece and let your pet use its nose to find it. A treat dispensing bowl is a good option for puppies who are busy and need to stay out of trouble. You can put her one of the bait in a bowl and take it all out over time. Our final favorites are delicious Stir & Boom, Irresist-A-Bowls, or Toppl toys filled with delicious wet food. Stuff the toy with puppy food and freeze it for a few hours (or even overnight). Once frozen, feed your puppy a tasty treat.
2. Play the game!
If your pup loves to play just like us, games are a great way to burn off energy. If you have room in your room, you can teach your dog how to fetch (if he doesn’t already know how). We also love playing hide and seek in our house. Our kids love to run around looking for us. If you don’t want to hide yourself, you can hide the treats instead and let them use their noses to find you.
3. Practice new tricks!
Training is fun, mentally challenging, and great for burning off that extra energy, as well as helping strengthen the bond between you and your pup. The possibilities are endless when you teach them cute tricks. See my blog 4 Tips and Tricks to Help You Train Your Dog for some ideas. If you’re not interested in training complex tricks, spending time reinforcing behaviors your dog already knows is also a great way to release some much-needed energy.
4. Enroll in a training class!
Weather permitting, training classes are also a great way to improve obedience, socialize and have fun with other dogs. It lets you even get out of the house and have a good time! Depending on where you live, there are a wide variety of classes you can enroll in, from barn hunting to sniffing for rats, to tests of agility and obedience, and even motor skills like swimming.
5. Let’s go out in the snow!
If your puppy prefers cold weather, you can take him out to play in the snow. Make sure you are dressed appropriately for the occasion. Depending on the temperature outside, you may need boots to protect your paws and a coat to keep you warm.
Help keep your furry friends happy, entertained and having fun all winter long!