Winter Dog Walks: Here are 10 expert tips on exercising your loving dog this winter - including indoor options for Labrador Retriever 🐕
Plenty of us decided to welcome four-legged friends into our in the last year – according to Kennel Club figures dog ownership soared by nearly eight percent – so plenty of households will be enjoying their first winter with their new family member.
Despite the cold weather, it’s important to maintain an exercise routine for your dog to keep them happy and healthy particularly since over the winter months joint stiffness in pets can appear more prominently.
Regular exercise helps to keep joints mobile as well as preventing any weight gain which can add pressure to joints.
To help keep your pooch moving in the winter months, here are 10 top tips from pet health experts nutravet.
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5. Hide and seek
Tell your dog to wait somewhere while you hide in the house. Then shout for them to come and find you. You may need someone else to stay with your dog while you go and find a hiding spot. Alternatively, you could hide a toy or their favourite treat somewhere in the home for them to sniff out. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. Brain games
Interactive brain games are a great way to keep your pet’s brain active as well as maintain their physical activity. Try hiding a treat under a cup and mix it up with other empty cups and get your pooch to try and pick the right one to get the treat. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Indoor obstacle course
If you have the space to do so, it’s possible to create a small obstacle course for your pooch in the home. All you need is a few cones and some items for your dog to jump over. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
8. Hydrotherapy/ Swimming
Swimming is a great form of exercise for dogs as it’s low impact, which is kinder on their joints. In winter months, it’s not advised to take your dog swimming outdoors, but you could book them into a hydrotherapy session with a qualified trainer at an indoor pool. This will help to ensure your dog gets some much-needed exercise, as well as soothing their stiff joints. Photo: Canva/Getty Images