In the dead of winter here in Colorado, it can be hard to keep up with your your daily dog walking. Between the snow, frigid temperatures and the blustery wind, the idea of going outside is generally daunting. It’s important to make sure you don’t let the icy temperatures outside turn your physically fit dog into a roly poly pup.
Why is obesity in dogs bad?
First, let’s talk about why it’s not great to let your dog get pudgy. According to the AKC, “A dog is considered overweight when their weight is 15% or more above the ideal. Dogs are obese when their weight is 30% or more above the ideal weight for that animal.” Much like in humans, obesity can exacerbate or cause other health issues, including high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, heart disease, diabetes, respiratory issues, and orthopedic problems. Your dog will generally be happier and have better quality of life if they are kept healthy and not allowed to roll from room to room.
How much exercise does a dog need?
To determine how much exercise your dog should be getting, the first thing you should do is talk to your vet, who can tell you if your dog is looking healthy and suggest changes if needed. If your dog is healthy but needs some other ways to exercise besides walks during winter, skip this section and jump to where we list some ideas. While no two dogs are exactly the same in terms of what they need to live a happy healthy life, there are some basic things you can keep in mind when planning how much activity to keep your dog entertained. If your dog is a working breed (like a German Shepherd, Collie, or Doberman Pinscher) they will need a ton more exercise than a more laid back breed like a basset hound or bulldog. Most dogs will be happy with something between thirty minutes and two hours of walking – you can judge if your walk has been successful by watching your dog after- do they still get the zoomies? Are they still chewing your shoes? You may want a longer walk!
What are some indoor activities I can do to tire my dog out?
If the thought of walking in this weather makes you shiver, or storms/conditions do not permit, there are plenty of indoor options to keep your pet mentally stimulated. If your dog has to think, that can tire them out just as well! Of course you should try and play fetch or tug of war inside for a few minutes to make sure your dog is moving around during the day, but you can tire them out without going outside with a few fun puzzles! (As with all toys, make sure you supervise your dog when they are using them just in case!)
DIY Spinning Bottle Dog Puzzle
Here is a super cute way to recycle old bottles and create a fun (and hilarious) game for your dog to play indoors!
Instructions to make your own are available here: https://jaxdogmom.blogspot.ro/2014/07/jedi-plays-spin-bottle.html
Flirt Pole
Does your dog often act like a cat? Why not get them a giant cat toy? Flirt poles are a great way to tire out your dog without tiring yourself out. It’s also a fun way to train your dog in impulse control and work on “get it”, “leave it” commands.
You can find a great guide on using a flirt pole for fun and training here: https://notesfromadogwalker.com/2012/04/24/flirt-pole/
Learn a New Trick
Even old dogs can learn new tricks, and learning new tricks is just as exhausting for a dog as it is for you to learn a new language. There are tons of creative tricks you can work on with your dog if you’ve already got all the basics down, such as sniper crawling, high five, play dead, and dozens others! Here are some ideas for tricks and how to teach your dog to master them:
Getting out and about when possible
With these puzzle games you can reduce your dog’s energy at the end of the day and be entertained yourself! Your dog will still need to go out and run around as much as possible, and that’s when your local dog walking and running services are the most helpful!
If you are not feeling the winter weather and want to make sure your dog is getting adequate exercise, call Kira of Off Road Paws at 303-818-0708 and set up a time for your dog to go on an adventure! We’re happy to help!