We at Scentastic dogs know the importance of daily walks for our furry friends. They provide exercise, mental stimulation, and a chance to explore the world. But there are times when a walk just isn’t in the cards or things to make a dog’s in door times more interesting. Here’s how to know when to skip the walk and some fun indoor activities to keep your pup happy and entertained.
Holding off on the walk:
- Temperature extremes: Our canine companions feel the heat and cold just like us. Walks during very hot weather can put your dog at risk of heatstroke. Similarly, frigid temperatures can be uncomfortable and even dangerous for some breeds.
- How to keep the house cool in a heat wave. Please keep the windows closed when it is hotter outside, dogs don’t sweet like us and it lets the heat in.
- Under the weather: If your dog is feeling unwell, whether it’s an upset stomach, sore muscles, or recovering from surgery, letting them rest is key and these can lead to an increase in reactivity. Walking can worsen their condition. When in doubt, consult your veterinarian for advice.
- A highly stressful event happens. This could be being attacked by another dog. It can take between 36 and 72 hours for the stress levels to go back to normal. Ever woken up after a stressful day and still feel it in your body? We recommend stopping the walk for 1 to 3 days afterwards to reduce the likelihood of rehearsing the stress also to see any signs of injury. If in any doubt please talk to your veterinarian.
- Fearful friends: Walks can be stressful for anxious or fearful dogs. Loud noises, heavy traffic, or unfamiliar dogs can send them into a tailspin. It’s best to stay home and work on building their confidence in a calm environment. A good indictor if this would be the right direction is if you feel that you aren’t enjoying 5 in 10 walks you dog probably isn’t either or maybe looks at walking them in quieter times of the day.
Fun and Games Indoors:
Even when you skip the walk, your dog still needs mental and physical stimulation. Here are some ways to keep them happy at home:
- Brain Training: Dogs love to learn tricks! Start with basic commands like “spin,” “weeve,” and “shake,” and gradually progress to more fun tricks like “play dead”. Training sessions are a great way to bond with your dog and keep their minds sharp. My book recommendation.
- Scent Work: Engage your dog’s natural sniffing abilities with some indoor scent games. Hide treats or toys around the house and let your dog use their nose to find them. You can even buy commercially available “snuffle mats” designed to hide treats and challenge your dog’s sniffing skills.
- Indoor Obstacle Course: Get creative with furniture and household items to build a fun obstacle course for your dog. Use pillows to create jumps, tunnels with blankets, and weave poles made from chairs. This is a great way to exercise your dog indoors and keep them entertained.
- Interactive Toys: Food puzzles and chew toys can keep your dog occupied and mentally stimulated. Look for toys that dispense treats as your dog works to unlock them, providing both mental and physical challenge. There’s lots of fun toys and fun games here.
- Relaxation Time: Don’t forget the importance of relaxation. Make sure your dog has a comfy bed or crate where they can rest and unwind. Some calming music or aromatherapy can also help create a relaxing atmosphere and if the weather is hot and dog may just want to relax.
- Play with their favourite tug toy: This keep playtime short and exciting. This keeps them engaged and great way to excise.
- Puppy pullups: Getting a dog to go from laying, to sitting, to stand to bowing is a great way to increase your dogs fitness or, if appropriate for your dog, healthy and not still growing, running up and down starts can be great.
By understanding when to skip the walk and having some fun indoor activities on hand, you can keep your dog happy and healthy, no matter the weather or their physical condition. Remember, a positive and enriching home environment can be just as stimulating as a walk in the park. If you aren’t getting a dog owning dream isn’t coming true. We are always happy to offer dog training to help you on the right path.
