It’s that time of year again where some areas might get snow to play in! We don’t have any here personally, but I am used to winters back east, and can imagine what it must be like to play with your dog and children in so much snow!
Chase the Disappearing Snowball
This one is easy. Just make a snow ball and show your dog how you are ready to throw it. Likely he will chase it and stick his nose into the hole where it lands. Unfortunately, the snowball will probably break apart on impact and he will not be able to retrieve anything. At this point, you make another snow ball and continue the throw and fetch cycle all over again.
I have played his game with Titan. He had a strong prey drive and chasing the snowball was exciting for him, he would get his nose into every landing hole and try to get faster and faster, even trying to catch them before they land; with his jaw snapping shut as he lunged in mid-air. Most of the time he would be too late and stuff his nose in the snow hole after the snowball which he couldn’t find! He would sniff and sneeze to blow the snow off his nose after, and get ready to do it all over again with a snow –fluffed snout!
Have you done this with your dog? How did it work out?
Chase the Sled
If you have children that are playing with their sled or toboggan in the snow, it is so much fun to have the family dog chase them as they fly downhill! Just make sure the bottom of the hill is safely enclosed for your children and your dog. Every time the sled goes down ,so will the dog – great exercise for both children and dog.
We had a cocker spaniel with I was younger who would chase us on our toboggan. So much fun!
Snowy Seek and Find
Have a dog with a high prey-drive that likes to follow scent and track? This game is perfect and there are 2 ways to play.
You can just hide yourself behind a snowy mound or bury yourself in some snow without the dog knowing. Than see if the dog picks up your scent and seeks you out. Or call your dog over to see if she can determine by sound and scent where you are hiding.
You can also build a maze in the snow if you are creative and stand at the end of it, call your dog to see if she can track her way through the maze to get to you. Does she pull it off first try? Or get stuck in a dead end?
These games are great for more athletic, high-energy dogs as they were the brain as well as the body.
Snowman Destruction!
Build a snowman and have your dog tear it down! Digging in the snow is an exciting challenge because the texture is so different. Dogs will love to take down the snowman knowing it is an owner-approved game.
Snow Angels with Tails
You could also just observe your dog rolling in the snow and creating a dog-angle as he scratches his back!
Enjoy The Snow With Your Dog!
In this article we talked about 5 ways you could enjoy snow-time with your dog. You can play fetch with snowballs, you can play hide-and-seek or have your dog seek you out from a maze! You can sled or toboggan with your dog and play snow destruction or creation, as well as make snow angles! However you play, having fun outdoors is all that matters! Try these activities and let me know which ones work best for you and your dog!
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