4 ways to keep your dog active even on cold days

As winter brings shorter days and inclement weather that makes long walks and outdoor play less appealing, it’s essential to find alternative ways to give our four-legged friends the exercise and stimulation they need . Fortunately, there are many interesting and fun activities that we can include in our four-legged friend’s daily routine, even inside the home. From interactive games and training sessions, to puzzles and stimulating toys, the options are varied and can turn any cold day into an opportunity to bond and have fun together.

So here are some 4 creative and effective ways to keep your dog active, even at home:

1. Interactive indoor games

Search and find: Choose some of your dog’s favorite snacks or toys and hide them in different places around the house. Once hidden, use a specific command such as «seek» or «find» to encourage your dog to begin searching. At first you can lead the dog to hiding places until he understands the game. This game not only provides mental stimulation, but also encourages physical movement, turning the quest into an engaging and educational adventure.

Hide and seek: Find a place in the house to hide without the quadruped seeing you. After hiding, call the quadruped to come to you. Use a cheerful and encouraging tone. The goal is for him to search for you and find you, and once he finds you, give him his favorite treat as a reward. This extremely simple but very addictive game is a great way to keep your dog active and mentally stimulated. Due to its simplicity and fun, it is also ideal for older or less energetic dogs, who will certainly be very happy to participate.

2. Tunnels and obstacles

Identify a safe and spacious area, such as the living room or a corridor, where you can arrange obstacles and tunnels without risking accidents. You can use furniture, chairs, blankets and toys to create tunnels. You can also use pillows, books or boxes to create small barriers for your dog to jump on. Adjust the height according to your dog’s ability and age. If you want to make the game even more complex, place objects such as empty plastic bottles or toys in a row at equal distances to create a slalom for the dog to move through.

If your quadruped is not familiar with this type of game, remember to use treats to guide him. Show him how to navigate tunnels, obstacles and slalom and reward him for every success.
This game stimulates both the dog’s physical abilities, helping him maintain an adequate weight and improve agility, and cognitive abilities, transforming a «boring» day into a fun and educational experience.

3. Interactive toys and puzzles

Interactive toys and puzzles are great for keeping your dog’s mind active. These toys not only provide fun and stimulation, but are also valuable tools for developing your four-legged friend’s cognitive and physical skills. Here are some great toys to turn an ordinary day into an exciting adventure for your furry friend:
➤ Durafoam Starmark ball with lanyard: This ball is made of durable yet soft foam, so it won’t harm your dog’s teeth or gums. It is perfect for games of fetch and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
➤ Starmark Chewing Ball Dispenser: This ball is not only ideal for intake, but also works as a snack dispenser. Your dog will be stimulated to think and move to get the reward placed inside the ball. Used correctly, this ball helps reduce anxiety, stress and behaviors caused by boredom (excessive blushing or barking).
➤ Classic Kong Toy: Made from high-quality natural rubber, this toy is particularly durable and can be filled with treats, providing your dog with hours of fun and mental stimulation.
➤ Starmark Bento Ball Toy: This toy helps prevent destructive behavior caused by boredom and is a fun way to keep teeth clean while giving your dog healthy, delicious snacks. At one end of the toy you can attach the reward and at the other end you can insert beads or other rewards, to increase the level of difficulty, but at the same time, the attractiveness. This interactive way of feeding the dog ensures a long play time, which leads to a good mental state and helps reduce boredom.
➤ Interactive Treat Puzzle Toy – Fire Hydrant: Designed to be used for both food and treats, this easy-to-fill dispenser is an interactive dog toy that brings mental stimulation during mealtime. Dogs will use their brains and paws to release rewards, breaking boredom and increasing concentration. Additionally, it works as a slow eater, encouraging fast-eating dogs to slow down, thus avoiding digestive problems.

4. Training and dressage

Cold days are the perfect time to work on new commands or perfect those you’ve already learned. Short, positive training sessions can be very rewarding for both you and your pet. Here are some toys suitable for training sessions at home.
➤ Dispenser Reward – Magic Wand: This interactive toy combines the functionality of a reward dispenser with a fun delivery system that adds a little magic to any reward-worthy behavior.
When empty it can be used as a target stick, recommended by dog ​​trainers to improve concentration during training. Made from easy-to-clean, BPA-free materials, the Magic Wand is a must-have accessory for any training session.
➤ Interactive Talking Dog Button with Pet Sound – Essential: These interactive sound buttons revolutionize the way you communicate with your dog. With their help you will be able to teach your four-legged friend to ‘speak’, expressing his needs and desires in a unique and interactive way. Use them to teach your four-legged friend essential words such as ‘eat’, ‘play’, ‘play’, etc. ‘walk’”, etc. thus improving communication and mutual understanding.
➤ Pooch School Dog Training Set: The Pooch School Dog Training Set turns dog training into an engaging and educational family activity. Specially designed to engage both children and adults, this all-in-one set offers a positive approach to dog training. Dogs learn to perform basic commands and complex behaviors by collaborating with their human handlers in a fun and interactive way.

Keeping your dog active on cold days takes a little creativity and planning, but the benefits are enormous. By combining physical exercise with mental stimulation, you will ensure that your four-legged friend remains healthy, happy and balanced, whatever the weather.