Indoor Enrichment: Help Your Dog Beat the Winter Boredom Blues

Looking for indoor activities for dogs in winter? Learn how to prevent boredom and bad behavior with easy enrichment ideas, training tips, and interactive games your dog will love.

The weather outside is frightful, your dog’s behavior isn’t delightful. And since they’ve no place to go...Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow?”

As the winter weather comes upon us, dogs are usually faced with less time outdoors and more time in the house. To some dogs, winter may be their favorite time of the year as they snuggle up and nap in their favorite cozy spot. For other dogs, spending more time indoors and less time on walks can bring on winter boredom and an array of unwanted behaviors. Physical and mental stimulation play an important role in your dog’s behavior and wellbeing, so what can you do to help alleviate the winter boredom blues when it’s too cold for your usual activities?

Here are a few ideas to help keep your dog entertained this holiday season!

• Make them work for their food! Mealtimes are one of the easiest ways to add additional enrichment and mental stimulation to your dog’s routine, and it’s often one of the most overlooked. It might be tempting to feed your dog his usual bowl of food but using meals as a time for enrichment can help ease anxiety and boredom, slow down quick-eaters, and be just plain fun! Many dogs find working for their food to be more rewarding and enjoyable in comparison to eating from the same bowl every day. Snuffle mats, puzzle feeders, feeder balls or toys, lick mats, and even everyday objects like muffin tins or paper towel rolls can provide your dog with a positive outlet for natural behaviors like sniffing, scavenging, chewing, licking, and chasing.

• Teach them a trick! Winter is the perfect time for you and your dog to polish up old tricks or learn something new! In addition to cultivating better behaviors and learning new tricks, using training as enrichment provides your dog with mental and physical stimulation without having to spend time outside. Not sure where to start? Check out The Humane Society of the United States’ guide to Positive Reinforcement Training and the AKC’s 5 Basic Cues to teach your puppy or work with a local positive reinforcement trainer in your area to help get you started.

• Limit what toys are available! Many dogs love toys, especially new ones. Instead of constantly having to buy your dog an array of new toys every week, limit which toys your dog has access to. By rotating which toys your dog can play with and putting his other toys away for later, dogs can experience the excitement of a new toy without having to always buy him one--even though there’s nothing wrong with that! Put all but a couple of your dog’s toys out of reach, only allowing them to have access to that week’s selection of toys. When next week rolls around, put away last week's toys and switch them out with a few new toys. Rotating the toys helps your dog from becoming bored with the toys he has and allows that “new toy” feeling without having to actually go buy a new toy. Remember to always supervise your dog while playing with toys.

• Have fun! Another great way to entertain your dog indoors is to simply play with them. This can include playing with a flirt pole (nope, they’re not just for cats!), creating an indoor agility course with everyday objects, and hiding treats and toys around the house for them to sniff out are all great ways to interact with your dog. The most important thing is that you and your dog are having fun and strengthening your bond during enrichment time!

For more ideas on dog enrichment activities, check out the ASPCA’s Canine DIY Enrichment and yummy Enrichment Recipes.

Holiman Hounds is not associated or affiliated with any of the above-mentioned links or organizations.