The snow is piling up. The wind is howling. The weather outdoors is simply frightful. Now what are you going to do to occupy your puppy since an extended walk outdoors or a swim in the pond is out of the question?
Tug-of-war is a good inside activity. There are plenty of commercial tug-of-war toys available commercially. You can also make your own using an old piece of rope. Tie a knot in the end for the puppy to catch and bite on. When playing tug-of-war, be sure to tug gently on the rope so as not to loosen teeth or injure the puppy. Increase the force of your pull as the puppy grows older and stronger.
Whatever you do, do not use slippers, shoes or any other items you don’t want the puppy to chew on normally. A puppy cannot differentiate between good shoes and old ones.
Fetch is a popular game whether it’s played indoors or outdoors. Simply roll a tennis ball or throw a toy for the puppy to retrieve. Try to choose an indoor area that is not slippery so there is less chance of injury to the dog. A puppy who slips and slide across the floor could suffer a sprain, tear or fracture.
If your puppy is well adjusted and is comfortable with you, try chasing the puppy around the room. Be careful not to scare the dog. Stop when he or she does and resume running when the puppy does.
Use the time stuck indoors to teach your puppy new tricks. It’s also a good time to practice commands and reinforce the tricks your puppy already knows.
Some dogs can be taught to play volleyball. I’ve seen a Labrador retriever who would volley a balloon in a room or on the steps for as long as 15 minutes at a time. The staircase made an ideal playroom because the walls helped direct the ball between players.
When you’re at the end of your rope and have exhausted all indoor play ideas, you can bundle up your puppy in his or her coat (if they wear one) and head outdoors for a brief play session. Simply plowing through the mounds of snow will tire out just about any dog.
You might try a short chasing game outdoors with your puppy. Both of you will return indoors pleasantly tired and relaxed.
If you do take the puppy outdoors in the snow, be careful not to over do it. Don’t let the puppy get too cold. Make sure his or her pads are not freezing (ice can accumulate there).
Be very careful when taking the puppy outdoors in icy conditions. It is very easy to tear a ligament or suffer a fracture from a fall on the ice.
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