Suggestions needed for winter - Page 1

I am wondering what folks do in the winter when the weather is cold, wet, nasty outside as far as training and preventing boredom in their dogs. My male is rather high energy and requires a lot to keep happy. Also, just like people, i worry about their overall physical conditioning. I know some folks are die hard fans of the winter cold, but due to health reasons, I am rather restricted during the winter months. They do get out to run and play with one another, but is this enough? Thanks, Renee

 That's enough with some dogs, a lot of dogs need more.  If I just let my Huskies out to run and play among themselves they would get bored and try to escape to find something more entertaining.  Not to mention it doesn't drain their energy much just playing with each other like a good long 4 or 5 mile walk that we typically do.  If you didn't have conditions that restricted you I'd say just suit up in something warm and walk them every day....but since you can't maybe others will have suggestions.

No, that's not enough...they need mental stimulation, too!
You can practice different commands inside, you could throw in a short tugging session outside or lay a track inside your house (when no one else is around).
There are also interactive toys for dogs, such as Nina Ottoson toys, however it doesn't take long for a GSD to figure out how they work, but they are still fun.
There is lots of fun stuff to do inside. Maybe you can additionally ask someone to walk your dog(s) for a longer period of time during the winter months, so they get the physical stimulation that they need other than playing in the yard.

As for physical, it sure is enough with my two to get out and play with each other.  They just go and go and go and go.  It is unbelievable. 

I work with them both separately first and than let them at each other for the physical workout. 

Don't mind the date on the pics, these are not that old.  My camera's battery died, and now the date is wrong.

Training still takes place during the winter. Walking, playing running etc., still happens. roadtrips and rides still happen. Last winter we were hit with two storms. On the farm we were at about 5'. Just walking through that was a workout and there were only two. This year there will be three.

As for your condition; Do you have children, grandchildren that could take your place in training? Where is your location and maybe some one on the forum is close? If your in a club maybe another member could assist? If none of those can help can you afford renting say a storage area, warehouse, partial warehouse and do your training there? Just some ideas.

I'm in Minnesota (aka Minne-SNOW-ta) but was born & raised in California so although my rugged dogs are not much bothered by the winter climate I on the other hand can only take so much for so long. I have taught all of my dogs how to walk and gait on a treadmill and that helps. I also work on teaching my dogs silly "tricks" which really are not that silly at all - targeting, retrieving and hide & seek scent games just to name a few.

This winter I have a young dog that I'm teaching to indicate articles off the track something I have never done before. I don't know what your goals are for your dogs or what your level of training experience is but I have for the most part really enjoyed "free shaping" some behaviors with my dogs and the best part is that this time of year it all can be done in-doors

Have fun & stay warm

I still train, twice per week, during the week it is just short workouts, not the whole routine. Then play in the snow. My shepherd hauls wood to the house for me. I have tried to cross country ski and let them run which is alot of fun too.
Always,
Cee

WoW! Thanks for all the suggestions. I like the idea of some indoor track/article work. I do have a treadmill, my male gets on it for short periods of time. My female wants nothing to do with it. We do have an indoor pool. The water is not heated, we have koi and goldfish in it, but we heat the building, so that is a great option! Thanks again!