We’ve all been there – after a long week of work, you’re looking forward to a fun Saturday with your pup…maybe a hike, or just a game of fetch in the nearby field. Then you spot the weather forecast. A rainy day or a frigid snow day can really put a damper on your day and toss those weekend plans out the window. But not to worry, we’ve got a list of 5 great indoor activities to get that quality time in with your dog while still keeping him active and having fun!
- Bake some yummy treats!
This healthy, limited ingredient recipe for Peanut Butter Banana Flax cookies will definitely keep your dog interested in the kitchen goings-on! Your pup will love licking the mixing bowl and you’ll have no problem whipping up this simple recipe. A cheap and easy gift for any other four-legged friends in your life, too!
2. Work on training!
This is the perfect time to sharped up those skills you taught your pooch when you first got them! Maybe they’ve gotten a little rusty, or you want to teach them something new…either way, when you have fresh, homemade treats at the ready it’s not too difficult to teach an old dog new tricks 😉
Get your kids involved, and check out our last blog post on how children can have a hand in training their pet!
3. Brain games!
There are plenty of fun games designed to challenge and intrigue your pet. Amazon has a great selection, like the one pictured above, which uses their strong noses to sort out where the treats are located in the toy! Or you could make your own toy, like we recommended last month on the blog! Lots to choose from on our list of homemade DIY toys!
4. Spa Day!
Spending an hour or two gently grooming your dog is a great way to spend quality time together when it’s raining or snowing outside. Think of it as a spa day. You can pamper your pooch with a blueberry facial (a great, natural whitening boost for lighter dogs!), a relaxing herbal bath or some fun doggie nail polish if you’ve got a patient pup! At minimum, here’s what you’ll need to get your pet looking their best:
– Brush. For long or thick double coats use a soft slicker brush (resembling a wire hairbrush) or metal comb. For short, smooth-coated breeds a bristled brush works best. Before bathing, brush your dog’s coat to remove any dead hair and tangles.
– Shampoo. Human shampoos dry out a dog’s coat and skin, so use a brand formulated for pets. A good rule of thumb to follow when buying a shampoo is that less is more. The fewer ingredients a product contains, the less chance your dog will experience an adverse reaction.
– Nail trimmer. A nail clipper or dremel (a motorized grinder for shortening nails) works well. Cut your dog’s nails every three to four weeks, or grind them using a dremel each week
5. A field trip!
Take a drive over to your nearest pet store, (try Rens!) or pet friendly store (Home Depot, for example, if you are doing any DIY projects, bring your pup along to grab supplies) and take a meander around the store! It’s new surroundings, and lots of friendly strangers to greet! As long as you come home with a new bag of treats or a few fun new toys, you’ll have some happy doggies!
