5 ways to enjoy the snow with your dog
It’s that time of year again where some areas may have snow to play in! We don’t have any here personally, but I’m used to winters in the east, and I can imagine what it must be like to play with your dog and kids in all that snow!
Chase the disappearing snowball
This one is easy. Just make a snowball and show your dog how ready he is to throw it. He will probably chase after him and stick his nose into the hole where he lands. Unfortunately, the snowball will probably break on impact and he won’t be able to retrieve anything. At this point, you make another snowball and continue the cycle of throwing and searching again.
I have played your game with Titan. He had a strong prey drive and chasing the snowball was exciting for him, sticking his nose into each landing hole and trying to get faster and faster, even trying to catch them before they landed; his jaw clenching as he launched himself into the air. Most of the time he was too late and he stuck his nose in snow hole after snow globe he couldn’t find! He’d sniff and sneeze the snow off his nose afterwards, and he’d get ready to do it all over again with his snout covered in snow!
Have you done this with your dog? How did it turn out?
chase the sled
If you have kids playing with their sled or slide in the snow, it’s so much fun to have the family dog chase them as they fly down the hill! Just make sure the bottom of the hill is securely closed off for your kids and dog. Every time the sled falls off, so does the dog – great exercise for both the kids and the dog.
We had a cocker spaniel with me I was younger that would chase us down our slide. Very funny!
seek and find snowy
Do you have a dog with a high prey drive who likes to follow scent and trail? This game is perfect and there are 2 ways to play.
You can hide behind a snow covered mound or bury yourself in some snow without the dog knowing. Then see if the dog picks up your scent and looks for you. Or call your dog to see if he can determine by sound and smell where you are hiding.
You can also build a maze in the snow if you are creative and stand at the end, call your dog to see if he can make his way through the maze to get to you. Does he get it on the first try? Or get stuck in a dead end?
These games are great for more athletic, high-energy dogs, as they are as good for the brain as they are for the body.
Snowman Destruction!
Build a snowman and have your dog knock it down! Digging in the snow is an exciting challenge because the texture is so different. Dogs will love knocking down the snowman knowing it’s an owner-approved game.
snow angles with tails
You can also watch your dog rolling in the snow and creating a dog angle while scratching his back!
Snow game for you and your dog
This article suggests 5 ways to play in the snow with your dog. You can teach your dog to chase snowballs, you can go sledding with your dog, you can destroy snowmen (which you built, not the hard work of the kids in the community!) You can even make snow angles together ! Let me know which ones you’ve tried and which games work best for your type of dog! Does your dog like snow?
Other articles on outdoor walks with dogs