11 Fun Winter Activities With Dogs That Will Have You Both Howling With Joy

Trying not to be a couch spud when it ’s dusty outside ? These ideas from a certified trainer will put you and your doggy into high frolic modality !

We totally get it . Why abandon intimate canine cuddles , hot cocoa , and a binge of your favorite series to brace yourself for a blast of crisp shudder ? Well , aside from the obvious playtime potential , being outdoors is a terrific direction to further your dog ’s health .

Curtis Kelley , CPDT - KA , flight simulator , and owner ofPet Parent Alliesin Philadelphia , tell Daily Paws that wintertime activities with dogs , like other active interest , are unspoilt for them because theystimulate the idea and torso . " They assist boost immunity and keep their digestion even , too , " he says .

woman playing in the snow with her dog

Photo: Filippo Peruz / EyeEm / Getty

Being dynamic in nature is sound for both you and your furry crony . TheAmerican Psychological Associationreports that unconstipated time outdoors " has benefits for both physical and psychological human wellbeing . " For frankfurter , it offer daily practice ( find out how much your pet want free-base on her size ) , while search external introduces novel scents , sounds , and plenty that furnish worthful enrichment and communicating . ( Yes , even thestinky stuff . ) This assist her avoid boredom and destructiveness when she ’s back inwardly .

So slip your pooch into some snazzysnow bootsand a comfyjacket , and let ’s essay some lively newfangled adventures .

Outdoor Winter Activities With Dogs You’ll Both Love

Of of course , you ’re the most precise barometer of what your pupper will enjoy , but as long as you’replaying in the snowwith her , she ’ll try anything once . An added bonus : You do n’t always need a hatful of wiener wintertime paraphernalia to get fit with yourcold - conditions breedunless you ’re focused on a specific canine sport .

1. Hiking

" Hikingis an excellent activity for blackguard , " Kelley articulate . " Being able to whiff in the Wood and around trees aid relax them with natural olfactory property they can understand . “Certain click are instinctive hikersand eager for any wintertime wonderland excursion , while others adapt gradually with more frequent outings .

2. Walking or Running

Kelley says a brisk winterwalkis gross for providing your dog with some engagement and helping her be ready to draw close in later . " The sensation modification can assist tomake them sleepyafterward , " he says . If you ’re accustomed torunning with your dogin warmer weather condition , you should be able to continue in colder temps , but confer your veterinarian first about duration and precautions .

3. Dog Skiing or Skijoring

outside enthusiasts withactive breedsoften gravitate toward detent skiing . Also known asskijoring , this is one of the most popular winter hot dog sportsman . As long as you have crabbed - country skiing experience , you and your speedy canine can leave the confines of the house for thrilling run in the countryside .

4. Nose Work

" nozzle workis an excellent way to engage your dog in wintertime , peculiarly when there ’s snowfall on the ground , " Kelley says . " The snow ’s added moisture and interest in the surround can bring a novel challenge to your delicacy hunting . “Some studiesreport that those boopable hooter are more than cute : they have approximately 200 million scent receptors ( humans only have about 5 million ) , which are 10,000 time more accurate than ours . Even thesmallest dog breedwho does n’t want to tussle up herfuzzy sweatercan benefit from some lurk fresh airwave sniffs on the front porch .

5. Winter Camping

Wintercamping with your dogis always Instagram worthy , but it ’s also a terrific soldering experience . Just suppose : After an invigoratingtrail trek , the two of you return to the campsite to settle in by the firing and mind to all the fauna of the wild . What a dreamy time . Plus , Kelley say , " this is a special kind of excitement . If your dog was n’t snuggly before , he sure as shooting will be make to keep warm in a collapsible shelter in wintertime . " Just verify you ’re not go bad out in dangerouslyextreme wintertime weather .

6. Sledding

Pfffft . Forgetfetch — your bounder will lovechasing you down a sledding Benny Hill . " humankind move so slow that it ’s a novel run when you’re able to fly down a hill with your dog in tow , " Kelley order . " Just watch out for nipping inherding breeds . " And no matter how lovely it is to see a savvy pooch riding a sled , he does n’t commend it — unless of trend , you have a team ofprofessional sled dogs .

7. Playing in the Snow

wintertime activities with cad do n’t have to be complicate — with the good amount of skillful sunshine , anything becomes a fun game . Create arace trackin the snow for theirzoomies , sink down and do snow angels , or what the heck , let ' emeat a few muzzles of snow . " Even chuck snow powder into the air for your blackguard to catch can be a great way to go out of doors and blow off some steam , " Kelley pronounce .

8. Snow Digging

" If your wiener like todig , encouraging them to fag in the snow can be a great way to cauterise push , " he adds . " The snow is nice and satisfying to kick . Your frankfurter can also kick the same snow around or palpate like they accomplished something by digging down a tall pile . " Awww , darn , guess now you ’ll have to work up a snow fort or let your doggoroll a giant snowball .

Kelley ventures out with Vista , his redDoberman pinscher , whenever they have a hazard for winter fun . In this picture , Vista keeps a great heart on Kelley ’s other paw , as she ’s eager for him to throw the snowball so she can jump and nom on it .

Cozy Indoor Winter Activities With Your Dog

Maybe your Fido is n’t a fan of snow and cold . And there will certainly be times when you do n’t even want to tread outside for her command ting or roar , much less frolic around . Safe temperature for winter sport matter , so take a peek at our handy guide for steer as to when it’stoo cold for dogsto be take on alfresco on a frigid solar day .

But as much as you ’d wish to return to the energy - fellate lounge , first design synergistic indoor household merriment your whelp can relish each Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .

9. Tug Toy Throwdown

In this box is Dynamo Doggo with vitality to burn . In the other niche , you , not even out of your pj’s yet . Plus it ’s stinking alfresco . So a sturdydog rope tug toyis one step toward an equal match . Heck , sometimes it ’s as if your pup plays alone on this one . But allow him get his hand into it by gently walking him back and forth or side – to – side so he knows he has your attention .

10. Work on Basic Skills

OK , yeah , it seems kind of sneaky to work onbasic preparation skillsinstead of " playtime . " But uniform education reaps benefit for years to come . Honestly , your vivid pooch just want to spend meter with you , and training is always a howling agency tobond with your dog .

11. Bake Up Some Tasty Homemade Treats—Then Hide ‘Em

Mmmmmm . Snacks are sodding rewards for ascertain new tricks and science , and broil them yourself means you ’re in charge of all the salubrious , safehuman food ingredientsthey curb . Pictured above are our veterinarian - approvedPeanut Butter Banana Grain Free dainty . Yum . you’re able to expend nibbles like these as part of an piquant hide – and – assay game , too . Simply stash a few around the star sign in position conversant to your pup . Use one delicacy as a hook to the first hiding spot , and let the frantic search begin . And what better way to celebrate beloved for your furball by entertaining her with another fun winter activity ? Make homemade goodies on Valentine ’s Day .

Here are some extra prompting for indoor mental and physical stimulation :

Remember , as you ponder your doggo ’s cold - weather options forexercise and playtime , it ’s all about balance . " Snow can be an excess fun playground for dogs , " Kelley says . " But if your dog does n’t like it , that ’s ok ! ardent cuddle next to you are great in the winter , too . " Ah , good to know , ‘cause we ’re looking fore to a few extra homey napcuddle puddles .

dog on a winter hike with a woman in the background