As the warmer weather fades, playing with your puppy outdoors becomes less enjoyable than in the sunny days of summer and early fall. While puppies have fur to keep them warm, they can still feel the chill, just like we do! Regardless of the season, puppies need plenty of stimulation to stay healthy and prevent boredom, which can lead to unwanted behaviors.
Shorter walks mean it’s time to get creative indoors!
Below, you’ll find a variety of fun indoor activities to entertain your puppy, along with helpful safety tips to puppy-proof your home for winter play.
Safety First
Before we get started with the indoor games, it’s important to make sure your home is puppy proof so that nothing valuable breaks.
- Designate a puppy-play zone – Secure a designated play area to keep your puppy safe. Remove cords, appliances, and fragile furniture from the space to minimize hazards.
- Pick a secure location – When setting up a play area, avoid areas near stairs or slippery surfaces. Look for spaces with carpet or durable flooring that won’t easily scratch.
- Don’t underestimate your puppy – Dogs are little balls of surprises and can jump higher than you think. Make sure that stored items that you don’t want to be damaged are secure before it’s playtime.
DIY Games
A budget-friendly way to keep your dog stimulated is by getting creative and creating games with the items that are at home.
- Obstacle course – Arrange pillows for your pup to leap over and create tunnels with chairs. Encourage your puppy to weave through the obstacles while chasing a favorite toy or a treat!
- Hide and Seek – Distract your puppy with a toy or treat, then hide in another room and call for them.
- Dig for rewards – Stimulate your puppy’s natural digging instincts by hiding treats or toys in a pile of blankets or old towels. For an extra challenge, tuck their favorite toy into a clean sock and let them figure out how to get it out. Make sure to supervise to ensure they’re safe while exploring these puzzles!
- Go fetch – The classic dog game! Just make sure your house is well puppy-proofed before playing.
Puzzles and Chew Treats
Pet stores and online retailers sell a handful of different puppy puzzles and chewy treats to help with stimulation.
- Interactive puzzles – Choose your dog’s skill level and watch them open, sort, and move around boxes and traps that will release a treat. Pups will eventually figure out the same game, so it’s best to rotate these stimulation devices.
- Chew toys/sticks – Chew sticks and toys are great for teething and also swaying them away from chewing on furniture and other household objects that they shouldn’t be.
Outside The Home, But Indoors
You don’t have to stay home for all the fun! Take your puppy out and about these adventures.
- Puppy training courses – Register for a local training class where you and your puppy can practice basic commands, learn new tricks, and socialize with other furry friends enrolled in the course.
- Puppy playdate Indoors -These climate-controlled spaces offer a safe and fun environment for your puppy to burn energy and make new friends. Or, organize a puppy playdate at home with friends who have pups.
- Dog-friendly shopping – Many pet stores and other businesses welcome dogs. Take your pup with you shopping and let them explore new sights and smells. Make sure you check the location’s dog policy beforehand.
Winter Safety and Additional Information
Even with the plenty of indoor fun listed above, you and your pup will still need to brave the cold for potty breaks and errands.
Here are some essential winter safety tips:
- Vehicle safety– Just like in the summertime, never leave your dog in the car for extended periods during winter. Temperatures can drop quickly in winter, leading to hypothermia.
- Puppy clothing – Keep your pet warm with a pet-friendly jacket or sweater! Many local retailers and online stores carry an assortment of options to choose from.
- Protect the paws – Avoid walking your pup on salted or icy surfaces whenever possible. If it does happen, consider using pet-friendly wipes to clean their paws from any residue.
- Grooming tips – Hold off on the short haircuts and go with a lighter trim during the winter season.
We hope these tips help you and your puppy have a paws-itively wonderful winter season full of fun and exciting playtimes!
*Blog submitted by Keystone Puppies
Keystone Puppies
(717) 492-4396
Lancaster, PA
