Keeping Your Dog Active Indoors

With winter, your canine pal won’t be spending as much time at the park, and he may keep his walks short and sweet. However, your dog will still need some activity to stay healthy. Read on for some tips from an Oconomowoc, WI veterinarian on keeping your pooch active during winter.

Playing

Playing is a fun way for your pet to burn some of those zoomies off. You can play Fetch in the house, as long as you are careful about it. You can also hold a laser pointer, and help Fido try to chase that elusive red dot. Hide And Seek is also indoor-friendly. Just don’t play in a spot with a lot of breakables!

Stair Runs

Do you have stairs in your home? If so, you can give your furry pal a Rocky Balboa-style workout. Stand at the top of the stairs, holding one of Fido’s favorite doggy toys. Toss the toy to the bottom of the steps. He’ll probably bring it right back to you. When he does, toss it down again. Just a few rounds of this will give your pooch a pretty good workout.

Treadmill

This one does come with a few caveats. You’ll need to supervise Fido very closely when he’s on the treadmill, and never leave him alone. Also, be sure to remove his collar before letting him on it. You’ll need to do a bit of training. Start by letting your pet walk on the treadmill when it’s on a very low setting, and see how he likes it. If you have an active pup, this may be a great way for him to walk off some of those zoomies.

Doggy Daycare

Many people are working from home this year. Fido does make a pretty adorable co-worker! However, if your pup is super playful, you may both benefit from having him enrolled in doggy daycare at least a few days a week. He’ll get to run and play with his friends while you get your work done! 

Tips

Every dog is different, and they all have unique exercise requirements. Vigorous activity, such as stair runs, would be too much for some dogs. Ask your vet about what is best for Fido. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your local Oconomowoc, WI veterinary clinic, we are here to help!