We’re still waiting for more snow on the ground, but we know that in a Maine winter there could be a snow at any point! While many dogs love to run and roll around in the snow, it can also be a great time to play some games with your dog for enrichment and training purposes!
Hide and Treat
One game that’s guaranteed to work your dog’s senses is hide and treat! Snow can be a great obstacle to for them to sniff around and dig through to find things. So crack open your treat box and try hiding some around in the snow in your yard to see if your dog can find them all! The game is for them to search and by working their nose they get rewarded with a nice treat!
Build a Snow Maze
A more physically intensive game for you, but a ton of fun for your dog! If you have a lot of snow in your yard, you can either shovel or snow blow a path full of twists and turns starting at your front or back door. Making a unique path for your dog to run through, you can place treats along the way and let your dog run through all of the paths!
Fetch With a Snowy Twist
Fetch is a game that most dogs love to play during every season. Taking a wintery twist with snowballs can be a can be a fun new game! Just pack a pile of loose snowballs to toss to your dog and see if he can catch any in their mouth. Add in more fun by putting a treat inside the snowball so whether they drop it or catch it, they’ll get a nice treat for their efforts!
Snowy Obstacle Course
If your dog is active and enjoys agility training, then here’s a fun way to enjoy the snowy weather! Building an obstacle course in the snow could be fun for your dog and the whole family. Adding mounds of snow around a shoveled path or using items like brooms or chairs for your dog to leap over are some of the fun ways you can add agility to the snow in your yard! Your family can get in on the fun holding hula hoops along the way for your dog to walk or jump through. Don’t forget to reward your pup at the end of the course with some tasty treats!
Go Snowshoeing
If you have an active dog that enjoys long walks on trails, then snowshoeing is a great alternative during the snowy winter months! Bring your dog along your favorite snowshoeing paths and have them job alongside you. Play fun games along the way, or practice some obedience basics while you’re on the trail. Your dog will love being outdoors and it’s a fun way for you to bond and enjoy nature!
Make Snow-Angels
Making a snow angel is a winter staple, and your dogs can have fun with them too! Falling down in the snow and moving all around is somethings many dogs already love to do, so why not join them? Lay down in the snow, start making your snow angel and then see if your dog joins you. They may have already been thinking of doing it but could be even more compelled when their favorite person already is! Take some fun photos or videos of you both enjoying the snow!
Train Indoors With Us
There are so many ways for you and your pup to enjoy the snow together! If you’re looking for a place to get training for your dog that’s inside and warm, look no further than our own Canine Training classes and programs! From group classes, to pop-up classes and private lessons there are plenty of options to choose from.
