Keeping your dogs active is a key to maintain good health both for you and your dog. Most of dog owners like to bring their dogs outside to keep them active.
However, it will be quite difficult when it comes during winter. Winter months can be very hard to keep your dog active, so it is very important not to let your dog get sluggish. Then, you should consider getting your dog active indoors instead.
Besides, during this pandemic, more people are also afraid to go out. It means most people are spending time at home, so do their dogs. There’re some dangers which dogs can get while playing outdoors, such as explained in outdoor dangers that will threat your dog while playing outside.
Sitting at the couch and enjoying a bag of snacks while watching TV is fun, but it is far from healthy. If you are also unable to bring your dog to the nearest park, then it is a must to keep your dog active indoors.
However, don’t worry, as there are many ways to keep your dog active indoors. Here are the 7 interesting ideas to keep your dogs active indoors.
- Playing Hide and Seek
Hide and seek is a great indoor activity to keep your dog healthy and active. However, before you decide to play this game, make sure you have got plenty of space and treats. Plenty of space will enable your dog to move more, while plenty of treats will be needed to encourage your dog.
It will be more fun if you ask your children to join. The more the people, the merrier the game will be! The game starts when you hide, then call the dog by name so he will go find you!
That’s why you will need a lot of treats, so that every time your dog finds you or the other member of the family, he will deserve something. It is surely a fun game that gives you and your dog plenty of exercise.
If you wish to have your dog play indoors, then make sure to have these 5 things you should prepare to make your dog love to play indoors.
- Obstacle Course
Creating an obstacle course will be beneficial for your dog’s mental and physics. Not only beneficial for your dog’s health, an obstacle course will give a lot of fun for your dog too. You can create your own obstacle course indoors too.
Laundry baskets, cardboard boxes, hula hoops, play tunnels are the examples of things you can use as the challenge. Don’t forget to give your dog a treat at the end of the course.
If you want to have your dog indoors then you should pay attention to these popular tips to keep your dog happy playing indoors.
- Tug of War and Fetch
These two games are commonly played outside, but you can also bring them indoors. You just need a room or a hallway. Start the games by tossing your dog’s favorite stuffed ball or toy. Try to pick something soft so that you won’t damage any items inside your house.
While playing tug-of-war, keep in mind that the game is one where you dog can lose his self-control so make sure to watch his aggressive behavior while playing the game.
- Play Fetch
If you have a quite big space indoors, then you can consider playing fetch. Use anything from the balls to socks to his favorite toy. If you wish to have a better workout, you can try playing fetch on the stairs or moving around from one room to another room. Regarding to toys, make sure you don’t give these dog toys you have to avoid.
- Scavenging Hunt
Your dog has natural instinct for hunting, so you can use this instinct to play this game. This game is fun for both of you. Interestingly, you can make your dog’s mealtime more exciting by asking your dog hunt for his meal throughout the house. Leave little morsels throughout the house as clues for him to follow the path. You can boost the game’s difficulty too.
- Game of Tag
Another interactive and fun activity to keep your dog healthy and active indoors is by game of tag. Playing this game will need a partner. Each of you will sit or stand at one side of the room holding a toy or some treats.
You can take turns with your partner to call the dog over and reward him when he comes. Don’t forget to give positive reinforcement every time he obeys. This is also a useful and simple fun way to reinforce a reliable call.
The activities above are fun and interactive for both you and your dog. Remember, healthy dogs are happy dogs. Make sure your dogs don’t only exercise to maintain their health, but they are also happy. To make sure they are, then read the signs that your dog is happy and healthy.