RAINY DAY FULFILLMENT
ACTIVITIES TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR DOG SANE WHEN THE WEATHER ISN’T COOPERATING
It’s been raining heavily pretty much nonstop for almost 48 hours and looks like it’s going to be like this all week. Most of the hiking trails around here aren’t accessible in the rain, and let’s be real, neighborhood walks in the rain suck (anyone else hate the roaring tires of cars driving by when it’s wet?), which means that our dogs probably aren’t getting as much exercise and outdoor time that they normally do.
Though the training we do makes it easier for our dogs to settle even when they don’t get their normal level of exercise, it’s still important to find ways to fulfill them, especially if the weather isn’t going to cooperate for an extended period of time. These are some of the things I do with my dogs when we’re inside more than we’d like:
Hide and Seek: Grab your dog's favorite toy, put them in a sit-stay, then hide the toy somewhere in your house. Walk back to your dog and release them by saying "Find it!" and then watch them use their nose to walk all over the house to find their toy. Praise the heck out of them when they find it, then do it again! Make it easy at first (like hide it in plain site the first few times so they can start to understand the game) and make it progressively harder as you go.
Snuffling: Kacey's absolute favorite activity. It get's their nose activated and mimics foraging for food. You can buy an actual snuffle mat with lots of nooks and crannies (like this one), roll it in a towel or blanket, or even just toss the food directly on the floor.
Indoor Tug: I typically don't like to allow high energy play inside, but as long as I'm the one initiating it, we follow the rules, and I can end it at any time, we're good.
Treadmill: If you have a high energy or working breed, consider investing in a treadmill! They don't replace real walks or time in nature, but can be an awesome supplement not only to drain energy, but to build focus on confidence.
Go to dog friendly stores: This is obviously only for dogs who are ready for more difficult environments, but hardware stores, pet stores, and even places like HomeGoods usually allow dogs and can be a great place to practice your leash work and neutrality. If you bring your dog into a public space, always be respectful and keep your dog out of the way.
Car work: If your dog isn't ready to actually go inside a store yet, then sitting in the car in a parking lot can be a fantastic way to get them used to not only being calm in the car, but passively observe people walking by. Tip: bring treats with you and be ready to do Yes Work to prevent your dog from having a reaction and changing their association with both the car and triggers.
Place work/impulse control: Take this opportunity to work on some active Place drills where you build up your dog's impulse control by creating distractions around them (toss toys, vacuum, exercise, etc.), as well as build Place duration by holding your dog accountable for staying on place for longer periods of time.
Nail trims: Most dogs don't love this, but rainy days are the perfect time to practice nail trims and work on handling skills. Tip: sandwich this in after your dog has exercised and throw in a little play or special treat after.
Walk in the weather anyway: A day or two of indoor activities is ok, but our dogs need to spend time outside. There's no getting around it. So invest in some good gear and get out there. If you live on a busy street like me and hate the roaring sound of cars driving by on wet streets, drive to a quieter location or find a paved walking path. Walking in the rain is proven to provide many mental and physical health benefits!
Whatever you do with your dog, be safe and enjoy the moment with them! For other dog training and lifestyle tips, follow me on Instagram at @stateofmind_dogtraining.