Exercise can be mental or physical. Puzzle games are a good way to practice down stays, sit stays, or the “wait” or “leave it” commands. It’s fun to work together with your dog with these games. Hide and seek is another way to make practicing obedience commands fun. Hide and seek can be done with toys or treats stashed around the house or with dogs and kids. The latter has the bonus of entertaining both kids and dogs.
Filled toys, such as a Kong, or antlers are great ways to use up some of your dog’s energy. Chewing is a real need for your four-legged friend, and gnawing on an appropriate item keeps your dog focused on doing the right thing and burns some energy at the same time.
Fetch can be played inside — just choose the room carefully, in case of wild bounces.
Tricks are a great way to keep your dog stimulated mentally. Fun and silly tricks are good for the trainer and the dog. There are many books available showing just how to break down the steps of teaching roll over, high five, clean up your toys, etc.
Winter might mean more time indoors, but that’s just another place to discover more fun with your dog!