Entertaining/exercising on super cold days

ElleTR13

Today in Memphis, we have a high of 36  and wind chills in the teens. I know that is nothing compared to what people up north/ outside the south deal with, but that is arctic to us! Newnan and I usually take an extra long walk on Saturday mornings since we aren't bound by time constraints, but man....it is so cold! Too cold for our weekly trip to the park as well. We'll still go on a walk or 2 today, but how else can we exercise/entertain him? What do you all do when dealing with cold days? 

boylema

Haha yeah, no sympathy for you up here! 36* is a heat wave!!! Its 3* right now w/a high of 15*, & I can't even tell you what the wind chill is yet!

That being said, we honestly just bundle up & get out there! But.... We are used to it. & we have plenty of warm layers & the "right" gear for cold weather, I ski & DH snowmobiles, so we're used to bundling up. & even though Cooper is shorthaired, he is used to our climate...We do have a jacket for him for when its bitter bitter cold out though. I even have boots for him too which he hates, but he's impossible to walk sometimes in the snow b/c he'll stop every 2ft & hold (every) paw up b/c there's snow in there! Makes the walks 5x longer then they should be!

When its super super bitter cold (well below 0* w/horrendous windchills) we keep our walks short, probably around 10 minutes 2-3x a day. However, now that Cooper has "settled" (I can't believe I actually get to say that now!), he doesn't want to be out in the cold! (old man!) & he's not as crazy in the house like he used to be on days we couldn't get out for long. Im pretty sure he knows, b/c when its that cold out even his potty breaks are record fast! However, 3-4 years ago, that might not have been the case, I just can't remember!

Anyway, multiple short walks is always our standard in bad weather. GL! & stay warm!

ElleTR13

Haha, yeah... This makes me sound like a total pansy. At least there is no snow/ice. We'll walk and I'll take him on errands with me. Knowing he is in the car while I am in target makes me stick to my list and not get distracted

TheLinkBride

You can also play games indoors.  We will do fetch inside, play find it by hiding toys or treats, practice recall by having him go all around the house, and you can always work on mental stimulation by teaching tricks.

ali2005jason

Does your dog like laser pointers? Ours goes nuts over it and chase the kids around the house after it! That definitely wears him out.

dexteroni

Ditto the others about 36 not being cold, but I know it feels colder when you're not used to it. I have family that grew up in Ohio and moved to Florida, and our winters feel so much colder to them now than they did when they lived here.

But - don't leave him in the car during your Target trip.  Running in to pick up a carry-out order or mail a letter is ok, but a Target trip with a list, not so much. I don't even leave our dogs in the car in those temps and they're used to cold winters.

kimmyb1020

It sounds really dorky, but we taught our dogs hide and seek. We make them sit and stay and then hide and say "come find me" and they get treats when they do. Its a good way to run them around a little! 

cs026a

I 2nd the laser pointer!

 

I often have to get up at 4am for work, and if I will be gone an extended period of time, I need a way to let our 3 year old boxer get some energy out before hand. The laser pointer works great, especially outside at 4am. And it is even better when we have snow!

 

That being said, if it is too cold I won't let her run around outside - because she will seriously run too hard and not realize how cold it is. But, we're in PA, and anything above 20 degrees isn't to bad! 

 

Maybe look for an indoor dog park in your area? I know we have one here. Also, trips to petco seem to tire her out. She gets to sniff around, pick out a new toy, and say hi to lots of new people and dogs!