At Clear the Air we truly believe in the importance of keeping your dog happy and healthy and this is achieved through exercise.\u00a0 Check out the ASPCA’s tips for winter exercise for your dog:<\/p>\n
Getting pets who dislike the cold to go outside in winter can be a challenge, but chilly weather or not, pets need fresh air and exercise. ASPCA experts assure us that while short-haired and smaller breeds may require cozy apparel to protect them from winter\u2019s bite, others simply need a little training to learn how to enjoy a cold-weather romp.<\/p>\n
1.\u00a0Entice your pooch with off-leash exercise sessions, playing tug or fetch, or romping with canine buddies\u2014the more aerobic the activity, the warmer the dog will be.<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0If your dog’s playing off-leash, you can use treats to reward her for fetching toys\u2014even if you usually don’t have to. The extra incentive might further spark her interest in the great (and chilly!) outdoors.<\/p>\n
3.\u00a0Offer your pet special treats during outdoor excursions. While on a brisk walk, pop something delicious into her mouth every now and then\u2014or feed her breakfast by hand while outdoors.<\/p>\n
4.\u00a0Winter is a great time to enroll in indoor training classes. Sports like agility and flyball are often taught in heated facilities and are excellent exercise for the canine body and mind\u2014and you’ll enjoy them, too!<\/p>\n
5.\u00a0Walk your pet in wooded areas during the winter months. The forest not only provides protection from wind, but the rich smells, sights and sounds can be infinitely interesting for dogs to investigate, distracting them from chilly temperatures.<\/p>\n
6.\u00a0Many dogs dislike going outside during winter because snow, salt and chemical de-icers hurt their paws. Canine booties can protect paws, while keeping them warm\u2014and disposable latex boots are available for dogs who don\u2019t like the feel of thicker boots.<\/p>\n
7.\u00a0Musher’s Secret, a waxy substance that you can apply to your dog’s paws, can be an effective alternative to booties for protecting toes and paw pads in snow and ice.<\/p>\n
8.\u00a0Getting your dog to play outside may simply be a matter of keeping her warm:<\/p>\n
9.\u00a0If you’ve tried everything and your dog still seems miserable when you take her outside, provide extra exercise indoors by playing games that involve physical exertion, like tug-of-war.<\/p>\n
10. Help your dog expend mental<\/em> energy by feeding her meals in food-puzzle toys, giving her plenty of things to chew, teaching her new tricks and playing interactive games like hide-and-seek.<\/p>\n Make sure your dog has access to shelter and water at all times. And please remember, if you\u2019re cold, your dog probably is, too, and it\u2019s time to come home.<\/p>\n