It’s that time of year again when some areas may have snow to play with! 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 so much snow!
Chase the disappearing snowball
This one is easy. Just make a snowball and show your dog how you are ready to throw it. It will probably chase it down and stick its nose into the hole where it lands. Unfortunately, the snowball will likely break on impact and you won’t be able to retrieve anything. At this point, you snowball again and continue the throw-and-catch cycle again.
I have played your game with Titan. He had a strong prey drive and chasing the snowball was exciting for him, he poked his nose into each landing hole and tried to get faster and faster, even trying to catch them before they landed; jaw snapped shut as he launched himself into the air. Most of the time he was too late and stuck his nose in the snow hole after the snowball he couldn’t find! Then he would sniff and sneeze to get the snow off his nose and prepare to do it all over again with a snow-covered muzzle.
Have you done this with your dog? How did it turn out?
Chase the sled
If you have kids who are playing with their sled or toboggan in the snow, it’s so much fun having the family dog chase them as they fly down the hill! Just make sure the bottom of the hill is securely closed for your kids and your dog. Every time the sled falls, so will the dog – great exercise for kids and dog alike.
We had a cocker spaniel who was younger and he was chasing us on our slide. Very funny!
Snowy seek and find
Do you have a dog with a great prey drive that likes to follow trail and trail? This game is perfect and there are 2 ways to play.
You can hide behind a snowy mound or bury yourself in some snow without the dog knowing. What to see if the dog detects your smell and looks for you. Or call your dog to see if you can tell by sound and smell where he is hiding.
You can also build a maze in the snow if you are creative and stop at the end, call your dog to see if he can make his way through the maze to get to you. Can you do it on the first try? Or get stuck in a dead end?
These games are great for more athletic, high-energy dogs as they were the brain and body.
Destruction of the snowman!
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 taking down the snowman knowing that it is an owner approved game.
Snow angles with tails
You can also just watch your dog roll in the snow and create a dog angle while scratching his back!
Play in the snow 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 sled with your dog, you can destroy the snowman (which you built, not the hard work of community kids!) They can even make snow angles together! Let me know which ones you have tried and which games work best for your type of dog! Does your dog like snow?
Other articles on outdoor dog walks
Dog walking in the rain
