exercising dog in terrible weather?

[Anonymous]

I recently adopted a mutt from a shelter (possibly a terrier/maltese mix). He's 22lbs, probably under 2y.o., and needs lots of exercise. On a good day, we take a 30 min. and a 60 min. walk. When the weather is bad, we bundle up, and we still get out as much as we can, even if it's raining or snowing. But this cold and snow is too extreme to be out for long. We've been out a few times for 5-10 minutes, but that's really not enough for him. When our walks are less than an hour total, he really goes crazy in the house, and we don't have a yard. I've been trying to amuse him by hiding treats in blankets, and running around the apt. so he can chase me, but it still doesn't seem like enough.

What do you do with your high-energy dog when you can't get outside? Thanks in advance.
p.s. If it matters, we have no children in the house, just my husband and me.

[Anonymous]

can you get to a dog park or somewhere you can safely let him run off-leash? running is a great way to burn off some puppy energy quickly.

[Anonymous]

Pet smart. Wander the aisles.

[Anonymous]

Play in the hallway with throwing a toy.

My dog LOVES the snow.

[Anonymous]

PSA: Remember to clean your dog's feet really well, in between the toes, do the pads, etc. . .to make sure you get all of the ice-melting products off his feet so he doesn't lick them and ingest them.

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/ice-melt-can-injury-dogs-1/59512

[Anonymous]

Lots of ideas! First off, is the cold too much for you or for him? If him, get him a coat and go on with it. If you (and I totally commiserate), then you have to get creative, but that's not a bad thing.

First, dogs can be tired out two different ways: physically and mentally. You want a healthy mix of both, in general. The following are a few ways to increase the mental stimulation for your dog, which will really help curb energy levels

1: Food dispensing toys.
No more kibble in a bowl! It's too easy, it doesn't make the dog think one bit, and you're wasting an opportunity for your dog to have fun. Go to petco or on amazon and search for the following: Kong Wobbler, Twist n treat, tug-a-jug

You can also start providing Kongs for your dog when you're going out. To start with, just smear a little peanut butter in there for her to work on. Once he has the general idea nailed, you can mix it up. Soak his kibble in chicken broth or water and mush it into the kong. Throw it in the freezer over night and you have a doggy popsicle that will last all day. You can also put in yogurt, melted cheese, banana...whatever makes your dog crazy. Freezing it will extend its life significantly.

My dog is now a pro at these things, but it still makes breakfast last 5 minutes instead of 5 seconds, which is nice

2. Train some new behaviors.

My favorite way to train for mental stimulation is called "shaping". You basically get the dog to offer baby steps towards the finalized behavior. I've trained so many neat commands this way, some useful (back up! go to your bed!) and some just goofy (sneeze and get a tissue, do a handstand).

A decent description of shaping: http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/9_3/features/Dog-Training-Equipment_15792-1.html
My favorite beginning trainer on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup
My go to rainy day activity, once you understand the premise of shaping: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/167

3. If you're REALLY desperate (and I've been there!) I'll play fetch with kibbles in my carpeted hallway. Dog is with me, throw the kibble to the end of the hallway, she goes and gets it and I call her back (if you have a partner, they can be at one end of the hallway and you're at the other, and you just call back and forth). Bonus is that it works on recall at the same time Once the dog has the hang of that, I started putting little obstacles in the way--a laundry basket to jump over, couch cushion pyramid to climb, whatever I had easily handy.

4. Long term solution: Look into dog sports I take agility classes, and it has been a life saver for my high energy dog. It's improved our relationship, really helped her training (and my ability to train), and it's FUN for all involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lots of ideas! First off, is the cold too much for you or for him? If him, get him a coat and go on with it. If you (and I totally commiserate), then you have to get creative, but that's not a bad thing.

First, dogs can be tired out two different ways: physically and mentally. You want a healthy mix of both, in general. The following are a few ways to increase the mental stimulation for your dog, which will really help curb energy levels

1: Food dispensing toys.
No more kibble in a bowl! It's too easy, it doesn't make the dog think one bit, and you're wasting an opportunity for your dog to have fun. Go to petco or on amazon and search for the following: Kong Wobbler, Twist n treat, tug-a-jug

You can also start providing Kongs for your dog when you're going out. To start with, just smear a little peanut butter in there for her to work on. Once he has the general idea nailed, you can mix it up. Soak his kibble in chicken broth or water and mush it into the kong. Throw it in the freezer over night and you have a doggy popsicle that will last all day. You can also put in yogurt, melted cheese, banana...whatever makes your dog crazy. Freezing it will extend its life significantly.

My dog is now a pro at these things, but it still makes breakfast last 5 minutes instead of 5 seconds, which is nice

2. Train some new behaviors.

My favorite way to train for mental stimulation is called "shaping". You basically get the dog to offer baby steps towards the finalized behavior. I've trained so many neat commands this way, some useful (back up! go to your bed!) and some just goofy (sneeze and get a tissue, do a handstand).

A decent description of shaping: http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/9_3/features/Dog-Training-Equipment_15792-1.html
My favorite beginning trainer on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/kikopup
My go to rainy day activity, once you understand the premise of shaping: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/167

3. If you're REALLY desperate (and I've been there!) I'll play fetch with kibbles in my carpeted hallway. Dog is with me, throw the kibble to the end of the hallway, she goes and gets it and I call her back (if you have a partner, they can be at one end of the hallway and you're at the other, and you just call back and forth). Bonus is that it works on recall at the same time Once the dog has the hang of that, I started putting little obstacles in the way--a laundry basket to jump over, couch cushion pyramid to climb, whatever I had easily handy.

4. Long term solution: Look into dog sports I take agility classes, and it has been a life saver for my high energy dog. It's improved our relationship, really helped her training (and my ability to train), and it's FUN for all involved.

this is so helpful!

[Anonymous]

Is the cold too much for you or for him? If him, get him a coat and go on with it.

I agree. We have a Lab mix that enjoys his walk even more when the weather sucks. Even in the midst of Tuesday's storm he was reluctant to come in. I spent over an hour out there freezing my ass off. That dog has got to have his exercise.

[Anonymous]

Dog Booties! Dog Sweaters!

[Anonymous]

Watch out for salt on the road burning their paws.

[Anonymous]

I do doggie day care on days like today.

[Anonymous]

Lots of 5-15 minute walks.

[Anonymous]

One of my dogs likes to chase after light lasers just like a cat. She'll run up and down the hall for 20 minutes straight, full speed, trying to "catch" the beam. Wears her little butt out.

The other dog doesn't seem to be able to notice the beam but she's a little older so not so high energy. She does love to play ball though.

[Anonymous]

Doggie play dates. Find people with dogs that play well with yours and invite them over, or invite them to drop their dog off for a few hours. My neighbors and I trade play dates a few times a week in this weather.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One of my dogs likes to chase after light lasers just like a cat. She'll run up and down the hall for 20 minutes straight, full speed, trying to "catch" the beam. Wears her little butt out.

The other dog doesn't seem to be able to notice the beam but she's a little older so not so high energy. She does love to play ball though.

Careful with the laser for more than a minute or two at a time. It's very easy for dogs to develop OCD/neuroses from laser pointers--you'll notice them start chasing shadows, sunbeams reflecting off watches, barking at sunbeams, etc.