Time for fun and games in the house!
Winter here in Perth we are blessed with very few days of endless rain or wild storms, so getting outside to exercise with your furry companion can still happen regularly- unless you can only get out at a time of day that has now disappeared into darkness.
I am usually prepared to get caught in a shower, but my dog often has other ideas!
Do you have a furry companion who refuses to go for a walk if it is too wet or too dark?
Or have you been prevented from walking by Covid self-isolation?
Whatever you do to keep your fur baby comfortable this winter, just keep them moving!
Movement is the most important remedy for stopping muscles from stiffening up and joints from becoming painful.
The cold weather makes us feel our "sore areas" more, and if your fur baby is no longer able to jump onto the furniture to stay out of the draft zone it is time to take action for their comfort and mobility sake.
Playing indoor games with your pets is a great way to warm everybody up and keep the bond you have strong. Not to mention keeping muscles strong too.
Make sure you have a large area of non-slip flooring to play active games. Protecting your pet from slipping is the single most important task for keeping your furry friend pain-free. Slipping takes a big toll on their body and confidence. Before they start skating around on the carpet or floorboards spend a minute or two checking that their paw pads are free of fur and their nails are not curling into them or causing their toes to twist at odd angles.
Photo credit Rutland Australian Cobberdogs
Hide & seek with treats or toys is a great indoor exercise for dogs.
It trains their body, as well as their nose. Stash treats, toys, or unusual smelling items from the garden in hidden places around your home and teach your dog to find them. You can change the hiding places and the items each day to keep the game interesting.
If space is limited do the hiding under a blanket on the floor, encouraging your pet to tunnel under the blanket for the reward.
If space is limited encourage active tunnelling to find a toy or reward.
Set up obstacle courses
In rooms that are spacious enough you can easily set obstacle courses for your dog. Stepping over poles set up between chairs, going under tables, walking circles around chairs, and going up and down a ramp to the sofa or bed are all great stability and balance exercises.
The challenge is to do them slowly. Time trials in the living room are not recommended!
Practicing sitting, standing and stretching on soft, stable surfaces is good core-strengthening exercise
Again, if your space is limited but there are two or more humans available, sit on the floor with your legs extended and teach your fur baby to step over your legs three or four times per exercise session.
Or encourage them to weave between your legs while you are standing or stepping slowly across the room. Now that’s a whole new version of Animal Twister!
If your furry pal enjoys a game of tug, spend a few minutes doing this on a grippy surface, just make sure it doesn’t end with a breakaway sprint around the house.
Schedule two active exercise sessions of 10 minutes (minimum) duration each day.
Mix up the games you play, and if you notice the sun is shining outside rug up and make the most of it.
You and your fur baby will be warmed up and ready for action!
How do you keep your fur family moving over winter? We would love to hear your solutions. Leave us a comment below.