Remembering Pongo
When Tom Gilardi, then Mercy Home’s vice president of youth programs, observed a young person’s mood improve after playing with...
September 9, 2024
January 20, 2021
Cabin fever is no joke, especially during a global pandemic when experts recommend staying home. While a nice, brisk walk around the neighborhood is a great way for you and your pet to keep each other from climbing the walls this winter, sometimes it’s just too darn cold for a stroll.
But don’t fret, you and your pet can still have fun without leaving home, thanks to these fun indoor activities.
1.) Toys and Puzzles
Who knew there were so many games and puzzles designed for dogs? Whether it’s treat-dispensing toys or more intricate puzzles that challenge your dog’s problem solving skills, you’ll find many fun options to exercise your dog’s brain.
2.) Hide and Treat
Hide-and-seek games with treats is a great way to keep your dog active, and build their confidence as well. Try hiding treats or a new bone in increasingly hard-to-find areas. Tell your dog to “go find it” and watch their nose take over. Start by hiding the treats in boxes or around corners, but then move on to hiding rewards in separate rooms.
3.) Create an Indoor Training Course
Take advantage of any household items lying around the house and make an obstacle course for your dog. Break down all those post-holiday cardboard boxes for a tunnel to crawl through, or create a maze from empty bottles and cans. Whip out your phone and film your dog’s agility and, who knows, they might be the next viral sensation.
4.) Tug of War
A good old fashioned game of tug of war is a great way for your dog to exert a lot of physical energy. Search for tug toys, like ropes and reinforced rubber, that are durable enough to withstand rigorous bouts and you might even get a bit of a workout yourself.
5.) Obedience Training
At this point, your dog has probably mastered simple obedience tricks like sit and stay. But while you’re hunkering down this winter, why not take some extra time to work on some next-level tricks? We could all use more encouragement these days, so start by teaching your dog to give high fives, then move on to more advanced tricks like finding your keys or fetching your slippers.
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