Activities to Keep Your Dog Active
You need to keep your dog active indoors, for one thing, so he or she will stay calmer indoors. But during long winter months when playing outside in certain parts of the country is not an option this is the only way to make sure your dog stays physically fit. Just like humans, a dog can gain weight and have heart problems if not allowed to have enough exercise.
These 5 dog activities are ones that we do in our house from time to time.
• Fetching a ball is one of my dog's favorite activities. We have stairs and one of us throws the ball down the stairs and she runs down and retrieves the ball. This gives her such good exercise. A tennis ball is perfect for this activity.
• Sometimes, my dog loves to play keep away from us with one of her toys. She will grab one of her toys in her mouth and we try to get it from her. She actually runs away from us! It is a hoot.
• Other times she loves to just have us chase her. We get exercise this way too!
• We have a good (made for a dog) tug of war rope that she loves to do. We hold one end and sometimes she holds so tight that we can lift her off the ground. (She only weighs 22 pounds though.)
• If you have an open enough space in part of your house you could get a Frisbee and have your dog catch it when you throw it.
Walking Your Dog
When the weather permits, though, it is always great to take your dog for a walk. It is a bonding experience for you and your dog. It also makes both of you healthier. All dogs also need to learn to walk on a leash with today's leash laws too.
So play with your dog indoors to keep them healthy and calm. It is truly important to work on keeping indoor dogs active indoors for their health and well-being.
Donna is an indoor dog lover based in Eagleville, PA.
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Hi. I recently adopted a 3 yr old yellow labrador. She stays outside the house. She only plays with me and keeps following me & seems to get sad when I leave the house. It has been tiring for me since I get guilty when I don’t get to spend time with her sometimes. Also, today I heard her snooring and tonight she was crying & as I calmed her…her breathing was hard and she finished a bowl of water. I am very worried. If I cannot be with her 24 hours, what are the other ways that she will not get bored?
Thanks
hi. its me again. After I got her ravies shot last week, I felt my dog started to become more agitated and demanding. Also, she started licking her paws and scratching (she doesn’t have ticks). What can I do to help her? I am so worried that I don’t sleep anymore just taking care of her.
Thanks
Hello Vivian,
Please join up at my forums and chatboard.
http://www.lab-retriever.net/board/
There are lots of people online that will be able to give you good advice on your labrador retriever.
Excellent post, people don’t realize that dogs suffer from winter blues and cabin fever just like people do.
One indoor activity that we do (and gives my dogs the mental stimulation they need as well as some exercise) is trick training. Especially the more difficult or complex tricks. Going under and then over a chair is quite a feat for larger dogs, and if you’re not squinchy about the polish on the coffee table your living and dining rooms can turn into fantastic obstacle courses.
Wendy Ms last blog post..Loose leash walking