How to Keep Your Dog Active When There's a Blizzard Outside

Winter is a fun time to spend outdoors with your dog playing in the snow and relaxing with your worn out pooch afterwards. Unfortunately, blizzards will make taking your dog outside to run off energy a challenge, especially if it is a smaller breed. Devise games to keep your dog from destroying your furniture or chewing up socks by finding indoor games that will keep it active and entertained.

Things You'll Need

  • Soft dog toy
  • Automatic bubble blower
  • Newspaper
  • Dog treats
  • Brown paper bag
  • Clear tape
  • String
  • Dog rope toy
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Instructions

    • 1

      Play fetch with a soft toy. Skip the hard tennis ball and throw your dog's soft toy in an open space, such as the basement or any other areas that are free of obstructions and valuables.

    • 2

      Set up an automatic bubble blower in the house. Set the blower onto a pile of newspaper and watch the dog chase after and pop all of the bubbles. Using the automatic bubble blower will save your breath and entertain any of the kids in the house as well.

    • 3

      Place a handful of dog treats into the bottom of a brown paper bag. Seal the bag with a single piece of clear tape and allow the dog to rip open the bag in order to retrieve the treats. For bigger dogs, try double-bagging.

    • 4

      Tie one of the dog's toys to the end of a string and pull it along the floor. This is a game generally reserved for cats, but your active dog will run after and hunt the fast-moving toy.

    • 5

      Play tug-of-war with a dog rope toy. Hang onto one end of the rope toy and place the other end in the dog's mouth. Pull on the rope and watch as your dog attempts to hold on. This game will burn your dog's energy inexpensively and with minimal damage, unless you have a Great Dane.

    • 6

      Teach the dog "Hide and Seek." Instruct the dog to sit in the center of a room while you hide small piles of treats throughout the room. When you are finished, instruct the dog to find the treats. The dog's reward for successfully locating the hidden objects is the objects themselves.