Every year, Edmonton dog guardians scramble to find ways to satisfy their pup when it’s too cold to walk outside. Here are five activities that will keep you and your pup happy indoors!
1. ACE Free Work (<–click link)
Arrange a sensory garden indoors using a variety of textures, heights, scents, and treats.
Tip 1: record your dog and note any gait abnormalities, preferences for textures/objects/heights, preferences in standing/sitting/laying down, movement differences (e.g., rounded back, weight shifted to the front/back/one side)
Tip 2: for two or more dogs, give each their own space separated by physical barriers like gates/doors
2. Walk indoors
Beat the rush with an early morning walk at stores that allow dogs like Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Home Sense, and Winners.
*Note: you might see other dogs so proceed with caution if your dog is reactive on leash. And watch out for slippery floors!
3. Play!
Appropriate mutual play with your dog helps you bond, create joy, and satisfy social needs. Play is one of the most power ways of connecting with your dog and it’s easy to incorporate daily. Here’s an adorable graphic by Lili Chin on one of my favorite ways to play by Dr. Amy Cook, the Play Way (<–click link)
4. Calming Activities
Think all things sniffing, chewing, and licking – the trifecta of calming activities! Frozen, stuffed Westpaw, long lasting chews, nose work, and home Sniffaris all do wonders for the brain and body:
Home Sniffari (<–click the link)
Easy nose work (<–click the link)
5. REST
Skipping the walk and taking a rest day to cuddle on the couch is sometimes all you need 🙂