While caring for your dog in wintertime has extra challenges, you can enjoy fun winter activities by taking advantage of freshly fallen snow. Many dogs enjoy playing in the snow because it often provides them with new and enriching experiences.
Once you have the right winter gear for your dog, you can enjoy several different snow day activities together. Here are some snow dog games that will make cold winters much more bearable and fun for you and your dog.
The 6 Fun Snow Dog Games
1. Snow Obstacle Course
Create a fun obstacle course for your dog to conquer this winter. You can build snow piles for your dog to jump over and dig tunnels for your dog to weave through. If you have a lot of snow and are feeling ambitious, you can spend the afternoon making a snow maze or tunnel.
Just make sure to check your obstacle course regularly for any patches of ice. Clear the area of ice and add a fresh bed of snow to prevent falls and injuries.
2. Hide-and-Treat
A fresh blanket of snow adds a fun challenge for dogs that like to sniff and snoop around. Get some of your dog’s favorite treats and hide them under a thin layer of snow. Once you’ve hidden all the treats, let your dog explore and dig them up.
If it’s your dog’s first time playing hide-and-treat, start by hiding treats in a small section of your yard. As your dog gains experience, you can expand the search area and hide the treats in deeper layers of snow.
3. Snowball Fetch
Playing fetch with snowballs is more convenient than playing with traditional tennis balls because you don’t have to worry about retrieving any balls that your dog doesn’t pick up. As long as there’s snow around you, you can play snowball fetch.
If your dog doesn’t seem interested at first, try hiding a treat inside the snowball and let your dog sniff the snowball. Once you’ve gotten their attention, launch the snowball and watch your dog chase after it with much more enthusiasm.
4. Snowshoeing
If your dog enjoys leisurely walks, consider investing in a pair of snowshoes and going on a short hike with your dog. You can enjoy the scenery together while getting some exercise at the same time.
If you plan on hiking in the snow with your dog, make some preparations to ensure you both enjoy a safe walk. Apply paw wax to your dog’s paws to protect them from the cold, and bring water with you so that your dog can stay hydrated. Some dogs may also need to wear a winter jacket.
5. Snowball Fight
Your dog will enjoy participating in a snowball fight with the family. They’ll jump straight into the action with the most enthusiasm and excitement when they start to see snowballs flying through the air. While your dog may not want to pick a side, you can be sure that they’ll protect people by intercepting and catching snowballs. It’s a great form of exercise for dogs, and your dog will probably love nothing more than cuddling with you indoors after participating in an action-packed snowball fight.
6. Skijoring
If you have a large and active dog, they might enjoy picking up skijoring as a new winter hobby. Skijoring is a Norwegian sport that’s like cross-country skiing with dogs. The dog and handler are connected with harnesses and a leash. The handler uses cross-country skis to glide across snowy terrain while the dog helps them maintain their speed.
You can practice skijoring with one to three dogs. Some towns host skijoring events, so you can check community event boards to see if there are any taking place near you. If not, consider hosting your own skijoring event to see if there are any other skiing enthusiasts and dog lovers near you.
Winter Safety Tips
Winter comes with its own set of unique challenges for dogs and dog owners. It’s important to be mindful of the weather and constantly check on your dog’s condition while outdoors. This will ensure that your dog is comfortable and safe while they play outside in the snow.
Temperature
There’s no standard amount of time for how long dogs can stay outdoors. In general, puppies, older dogs, small dogs, and dogs with thin hair can’t stay outside in the cold for too long. These dogs often have a more difficult time maintaining their body temperature when it gets cold. It’s not recommended to keep them outside for longer than 15 minutes in temperatures below 23°F.
Some dog breeds were bred to withstand colder temperatures. Dogs like the Samoyed, Malamute, Siberian Husky, and Bernese Mountain Dog are all able to tolerate the cold. They can stay outside for longer periods of time as long as they’ve been acclimated to colder temperatures.
When you’re outside with your dog, be proactive and alert when looking for signs that your dog is too cold. Some signs include shivering, hunched posture, unwillingness to continue walking, holding paws off the ground, and seeking shelter.
Winter Gear
Some dogs will benefit from wearing winter gear when they go out for walks. Consider investing in a high-quality winter jacket to help your dog retain body heat. Look for winter jackets that are made with waterproof or water-resistant material and a soft and comfortable inner lining.
You may want to invest in some dog booties if you consistently come across heavily salted paths on your walks. Applying a layer of paw wax can also protect your dog’s paws from drying and cracking.
Since snow can impair visibility, have your dog wear clothing with reflective lining or an LED collar or harness. These types of accessories will help people notice you and your dog more quickly and avoid accidents with oncoming traffic.
Conclusion
You don’t have to spend the entire winter being stuck indoors. You and your dog can enjoy participating in different snow dog games and activities to pass the time and create fun memories together. Just remember to be extra watchful of your dog’s condition while playing outside. Make sure your dog is dressed appropriately for the weather and be on the lookout for signs of discomfort and being too cold. Following winter safety guidelines will ensure you and your dog can enjoy fun activities together while significantly reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Featured Image Credit: Miachikova Natalia, Shutterstock
