Dogs are incredibly smart, social, and filled with lots of energy. Unfortunately, colder weather doesn’t always allow for the amount of mental and physical stimulation they need. 

Do you find when temperatures drop and snow starts to fall, it’s tough to muster up enough energy to take your dog on regular walks? Or perhaps you open the door to go out, only to find it’s just too darn hot or stormy outside. Either way, your dog still needs exercise. 

Time to get creative! So if you’re finding your dog spending too much time idle on the couch or waiting patiently at the window for something exciting to happen, it’s time to spice up their routine with enrichment activities. The good news is these will not only combat boredom, but they’ll also reduce problems associated with excess energy and increase your best friend’s quality of life. 

To help keep you and your pup from going stir crazy indoors in frigid or wet weather, we reached out to our WHH fans and friends and asked for their favorite boredom busters for cooped-up pups. Here’s what they came up with:

Pull out the activity puzzles. Canine puzzle toys have been proven to improve brain development in dogs. Not sure where to start? Here’s a list of 18 entertaining dog puzzle toys you can try at home.

Try nosework! Hide some of their favorite treats, popcorn or toys around the house. This is a good way to teach your dog to “Find it!”

Play hide and seek. Basically another variation of nosework… tell your dog to stay, then hide yourself, and reward your dog with love and treats when they find you!

TIP: No matter the reason you and your dog are stuck indoors, do your best to catch him or her doing something right. Family life can be hectic and it’s easy to ignore our pups when they’re doing what they should. Yet it’s so important to reward your pups for making good choices, such as quietly playing with a toy or calmly sitting at your feet when you’re cooking in the kitchen. Rewards like playtime together, belly rubs, and treats go a long way to let our dogs know they’re doing something that makes us happy, which will make them want to continue to please you more and more.