Indoor activities and exercise for your dog

While there is no substitute for fresh air and outdoor exercise, outside this time of year can be less than inviting. If you are feeling a bit of cabin fever, chances are your dog may be too. Here are some indoor ideas to exercise, entertain and interact with your dog:

• Hide the cookie. Put your dog in a down, stay and go around the room placing a handful of small treats under the edge of a couch or behind the leg of a chair or on a shelf of a book case. Cheerios work well for this activity, as you are still rewarding without many calories. Return to your dog and give the OK command and watch him go to work.
• Hide and seek. Put your dog in a down, stay position and find a place to hide that your dog will have to use his nose find. Say OK and wait for your dog to sniff you out.  You can offer a small treat when he finds you.  It will not take long for him to catch on to this game, especially if there is reward.
• Brush up on your basic obedience. On or off leash, you can practice some basic commands, and even take a walk around the house. Chances are if there is a treat involved, your dog will be up for it.
• Teach your pooch a new trick. You would be surprised how many dogs still have room for a new move. Even those middle aged pups can learn something new. Roll over, sit pretty and take a bow are just a few ideas. For more, read this article.
• Fetch, indoor style. You can roll a soft ball or use a stuffed animal for your dog to retrieve or try hiding the stuffed animal for you dog to find.
• Offer a new chew toy. A raw marrow bone from the butcher or a new toy can provide hours of activity. Treat balls that have to be turned a certain way for the reward to fall out are usually a hit.
• Make a play date. Invite a dog friend over to play. Let the dogs entertain each other and get their exercise.

No matter how bad the weather is outside, there are always plenty of ways to exercise and engage your dog. If you have any other suggestions, be sure to leave them in the comments section!