Pet cabin fever:
How to deal with a dog being cooped up indoors

Surprise! Our ever-unpredictable northern climate has managed to fit in one more snowmageddon or hail storm. And like every other year, it somehow comes as a complete shock to everyone — usually after spring-like weather has convinced us to finally put away the parkas and snow boots (both our own, and our pup’s).

So what happens when spring fever has already hit hard, but winter has decided to treat us to an encore? Well if you're a dog, your senses may get slightly overwhelmed and even a little bit confused!

Dogs are creatures of habit and if they’ve just established their new spring routine (longer walks, more time playing outdoors) a return to being cooped up inside can be hard on them. There are, however, ways to get your dog through this seasonal bump in the road. All it takes is extra love and a little creativity.

There are two main methods for keeping dogs active and engaged on a surprise snow day:

1. Play, which engages them on a physical level
2. Training activities, which engage them on an intellectual level

Here are some simple tips to try the next time weather traps you and your dog indoors:

Build an indoor obstacle course

While a Best in Show award isn’t in every pooch’s future, a little bit of obstacle training can still be a lot of fun. Blankets, furniture, and cushions can be combined to create tunnels, hurdles and zig-zagging paths for dogs to work their way through.

Reward your dog with a treat and praise when they’ve conquered an obstacle. Eventually, you can combine all the obstacles together to form one big indoor adventure.

Play indoor fetch

Playing fetch indoors isn’t quite the same as playing at the park, but you can still make it interesting for your dog by shifting furniture and grabbing a soft ball or plush toy to throw. Remember to clear away all obstacles so potential hazards are minimized.

Teach your dog hide and seek

Even if your dog can’t count, you can still play hide and seek with them. Start by using that all-important “stay” command, while you hide treats around the room (let your dog watch you hide them the first few times).

Then, using the command “find the treats!” let your pup seek out each hidden treasure.

Once they become a pro, make the game a little more difficult by hiding treats when they’re in another room. While we may call this game “hide and seek for dogs,” trainers call it nosework and not only does it stimulate dog brains, it also helps them to relax.

Make a playdate

For social canines, nothing is more exciting than hanging out with a dog pal. Team up with another pet parent and take it in turns to let your two stir-crazy pets play indoors together at each other’s place. Remember to choose your pet play date carefully, as not all dogs get along. If the pups aren’t familiar with each other yet, introduce them to each other in a neutral spot like a local park, so that neither of them feel territorial in their own home.

Ask the other pet parent to bring a few of their pup’s favourite toys so that each dog has access to the novelty of new stuff. Have some treats on hand and keep the water dishes full. Two dogs under one roof will tire each other out, practically on their own.

Puzzle it out

Raid the recycling bin for yogurt containers and cereal boxes to make a treat puzzle for your pup. Use a utility knife to cut treat or kibble-sized holes randomly across the surface, add treats, seal the top and let your dog work their way to accessing the treats by rolling and flipping the container around.
Remember to keep this activity supervised at all times to ensure your dog doesn’t accidentally ingest any of the materials, or cut themselves.

Even if they end up shredding a cereal box to get their reward, it’s still an activity that’s engaging and rewarding all at once.  “I always find that mental stimulation can tire a dog out a lot better than physical stimulation,” says Melanie Krumme, a trainer at the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. “Even though they obviously still need that physical stimulation.”

For the dog that’s always asking to play fetch, try incorporating their favourite ball into a puzzle.

“You can use things in your home like a muffin tin with some tennis balls inside of it where you hide a couple of treats underneath the balls and your dog starts to use their nose to sniff them out and find the treat.”

Groom your way to zen

While not all dogs love a good grooming, for many the process can be relaxing and enjoyable.
Being stuck inside is the perfect time to sit down with your pet and give them a long and luxurious spaw session with both a brush and your hands. While a gentle massage can improve circulation and flexibility, it also provides most dogs with comfort, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.