5 Indoor Dog Exercises to Do in the Apartment during Winter

Who loves being peppered by the freezing wind when they take their dogs out for a walk during winter? I’m guessing no one. Here are five simple indoor exercises you can do with your dogs at home to keep them out of their boredom. These exercises can also provide a good mental challenge.

1. Use a Flirt Pole
Dogs (of all breeds and sizes) just can’t have enough of them. Flirt poles are very simple devices that encourage dogs to run and jump around in order to catch the “lure”. They are great for single dog owners because the flirt poles can tire out the dogs in about ten minutes.

We recommend checking out flirt poles, such as the Squish Face Studio pole. Dog owners just need to stand still and wave the flirt pole around in an open space. Let the dogs do the hard work!

2. Play the Treasure Hunt Game
Pick out your dog’s favorite toys and treats and hide them around the apartment. Have the dogs find the object and bring them back to you. This is a great way to stimulate your dog’s mind. It also provides a good opportunity to teach the dog basic commands like fetch and drop.

You might want to start off easy by hiding the “treasure” in the same room. Once your dog understands the game, you can make it more difficult by hiding the treasure in another room or a place where the scent of the toy or treat can be masked.

3. Work the Stairs
Consider using the stairs if you live in a multi-floor apartment. The exercise can be as simple as having the dog run up and down the stairs, or you can add a bit more complexity by having the dog chase any toys you throw down the stairs. The dog should get tired quickly after a couple of rounds.

One note of caution. Stairs can be bad for a dog’s joint (and yours as well) so don’t do this exercise too often, and make sure your dog is in great shape before you have him run the stairs.

4. Meal Time Stimulation
Add some more fun to a dog’s mealtime. Instead of using a regular dog food bowl, place the dry food in a food-dispensing dog toy, such as the Our Pet IQ treat ball.

In addition to food-dispensing toys, you can also introduce other types of toys to your dog, such as the Flip Board Strategy Game. These puzzles can challenge your dog’s mind by having them lift and slide certain objects to unlock the rewards.

5. Get a Treadmill Designed for Dogs
This is a bit of a luxury but if you live in an area where the weather is always gloomy then it could be worthwhile to get a treadmill designated for pets. Dog treadmills are also a great investment for dog owners who can’t take their dogs out for a long walk due to their own physical health concerns.

For example, the dogPacer treadmill is an exercise equipment suited for small to medium-sized dogs. The variety in treadmill speeds (from 0.5 MPH to 7.5 MPH) means it can provide a great physical challenge for dogs of all fitness levels.