Winter tips and training for dogs
Discover winter care tips for your pup in this Muttz with Mannerz podcast! Host Corey McCusker also introduces Muttz Morsels, bite-sized insights to keep tails wagging and enrich lives at both ends of the leash.
 

In this episode, you’ll learn

  • Winter Dog Training Tips:
    • Fun indoor games like “Monkey in the Middle” and “Hide and Seek.”
    • Creative indoor activities such as DIY obstacle courses and treadmill workouts.
    • Ways to keep your dog mentally stimulated with trick training and puzzle games.
  • Winter Care Essentials:
    • How to protect your dog from cold weather, including tips for coats, boots, and paw care.
    • Why hydration is important even in winter and the dangers of snow and antifreeze.
    • Safety tips for icy surfaces and other cold-weather hazards.
  • Outdoor Adventures in Winter:
    • Ideas for snowy walks, hikes, and winter sports like snowshoeing.
    • How to safely enjoy the outdoors with your dog despite the chill.
  • Enrichment Opportunities:
    • Information on classes like Fun with Tricks and Indoor Agility.
    • Details about the Muttz with Mannerz Enrichment Daycare and how it can benefit your pup.
  • The Bonding Experience:
    • Why winter training and activities strengthen your connection with your dog.

Transcipt

(0:04) Hello, dog lovers. Welcome to Mutts with Manners Canine Training Academy podcast, (0:09) where we will share valuable dog training tips and insight to help you raise a happy and confident (0:15) pup, whether they’re young or old. Our goal is to ensure your dog becomes a beloved member of (0:21) your family and a positive presence in your community for life.

We’re also excited to (0:28) introduce Mutts Morsels, a special segment where we provide pet parents with tidbits of information (0:35) to enrich lives at both ends of the leash. Because at Mutts, it’s not just about training your dog, (0:42) it’s about having fun, learning together, and building a strong, lasting bond with your (0:47) canine companion. So let’s dive in.

I’m Kori McCusker, professional dog trainer and your (0:53) host. And today we’re tackling two timely topics for dog lovers. How to train your dog during winter (1:00) and essential winter care tips.

So grab your favorite warm drink. Mine is a hot cup of tea, (1:06) which I have right beside me. And let’s dive in.

January is train your dog month, but let’s be (1:12) real. When the weather outside is frightful, training might feel less delightful. I’m a Canadian (1:20) and I can tell you right now, when I look outside, there’s a lot of snow and it is bitter cold.

(1:27) So how can we keep our dogs active and mentally stimulated during those chilly months? I’ve got (1:34) some ideas for you. Let’s start indoors. First, let’s talk about indoor games and play.

(1:42) Grab a toy and get your dog excited is one way to get started. (1:47) Play fetch with your dog inside. And if there are two of you, have your dog run back and forth (1:54) between you while trying to get the toy or a ball.

This game is called monkey in the middle, (2:00) your dog being the monkey. Make sure you reward your pup after a few throws by giving them the (2:06) toy or the ball and letting them play. This promotes fun and stimulates their mind and body.

(2:13) Another great game is hide and seek. Hide a treat, a toy, or even yourself or maybe your child (2:20) and let your dog’s nose do the work. Not only is it fun, but it also sharpens your problem-solving (2:28) skills.

If you want to practice recall, which is one of the most important cues, (2:34) meaning your dog’s going to come back when you call them, what you can do is just hide somewhere (2:40) and then call their name. And when they do come to you, make sure you do reward them either with (2:46) a pet, a treat, or maybe some play. If you don’t have time for this with these indoor games, (2:54) you may want to consider daycare.

We do offer enrichment daycare to mentally and physically, (3:01) you know, stimulate the dogs at Mutts with Manners. And it’s a great option for your dog (3:06) during the cold months. If the weather is too harsh outside, what you might want to do, (3:13) instead of taking your dog for a walk outdoors, you might want to walk them indoors.

If you (3:19) have large spaces in your home, like hallways or even an empty garage, that’ll work. And it’s (3:26) a great way to get them moving without braving the cold. It’s a really good time too, is if you (3:34) are doing those indoor walks, is to put them on a leash and maybe practice loose leash walking, (3:41) healing beside you, maybe a sit every so often or looking up at you.

So you can always incorporate (3:47) some training too. If you have any stairs, you can get yourself and your dog going up and down (3:54) the stairs, which is great exercise. Making sure you engage your dog’s mind is essential.

(4:00) Mental exercise is just as important as a physical exercise. (4:06) You could do some trick training with your dog, and that’s a great way to challenge both (4:11) yourselves. So teaching your dog tricks like spin, roll over, high five, or back up will get your (4:19) dog’s mind and body moving.

You can also use puzzle games or a snuffle mat to entertain them (4:25) by engaging their nose. Take an old empty egg carton and fill it with treats and close it up (4:31) and let your dog figure out how to get those treats out of that carton. Puzzle games that (4:38) hide treats not only entertain them, but they also strengthen your dog’s cognitive abilities.

(4:46) Next, how about some fun agility? You can easily create an obstacle course using items you already (4:53) have at home. Think about broomsticks or poles. Maybe there’s some outdoor rocks that you can (5:00) clean off and bring inside or pile up some books or cushions to create a course.

And you can have (5:07) your dog weaving in and out of them, even taking two chairs and getting them to walk around like (5:12) a figure eight. Tunnels can easily be created using a blanket and two chairs also. If you’re outdoors, (5:21) you can go to the park and use benches and playground equipment.

Now let’s get creative (5:29) with indoor workouts. If your dog’s knees are healthy and they can walk or run, there’s always (5:36) ways to keep them agile indoors. If you have a treadmill, why not teach your dog to walk on it? (5:42) When it’s done safely, it can be a great way to exercise your dog and keep them fit.

(5:47) You first start by slowly familiarizing them with the piece of equipment by letting them sniff, (5:53) maybe step on it when it’s not in action and getting them comfortable with it. And then once (6:00) they get comfortable, you can start maybe turning it on at a very low speed, being right there with (6:06) them, encouraging them with treats and making sure that they feel comfortable and they’re not too (6:11) stressed. If you don’t have a treadmill, I did mention the stairs.

That is a great way to get (6:17) them walking or running up and down because that provides not only exercise for you, but it provides (6:23) it for your dog too. And of course there’s the classic, get off the couch and head outdoors. (6:30) Whether it’s a brisk walk or hike in the region forest trails that we have here around us in York (6:37) region or even snowshoeing, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the season.

Bundle up, grab your (6:44) dog’s coat if they need one and embrace the winter magic together. My dog Sky, I can say loves her (6:51) trail walks and getting outdoors. Mind you, she’s from Manitoba, so she’s used to the cold, (6:57) but we do love getting out there and exploring the outdoors and it is really a fantastic way for both (7:04) her and I to stay active.

Remember, it’s not just about physical activity. It’s about bonding with (7:12) your dog and keeping them happy and healthy, even when it’s cold outside. Now that we’ve covered (7:18) the training and some activities, let’s talk about winter care.

Every dog handles cold differently, (7:25) so understanding your dog’s needs is key. If it’s cold outside for you, it’s likely cold for your (7:33) dog too. Short hair breeds, seniors or puppies may need a coat to keep them warm.

Don’t forget their (7:40) paws. Salt and ice can cause cracking and discomfort, so trim the fur between their pads and wipe their (7:47) feet after walks. If you do decide to use boots for your dogs, make sure you get them used to it.

(7:54) You can do this indoors first, as it really does take time for them to get comfortable wearing (7:59) the boots. Another point I want to make is hydration and it’s a big one. Many people assume dogs don’t (8:07) need as much water in winter, but that’s a myth.

Fireplaces and heating systems can dehydrate them, (8:14) so always provide fresh water. And also if you see your dog eating snow and you think it’s cute, (8:22) I want to remind you that it’s really not a substitute for hydration (8:26) and too much snow can even cause hypothermia, so please be cautious. (8:32) Be mindful of hazards like antifreeze too, which is highly toxic but smells sweet to dogs.

(8:40) Keep it out of reach and clean up spills immediately. Watch for snow buildup near fences, (8:46) as it can become an escape ramp for curious dogs. One of my Great Danes in the past did escape this (8:53) way over to the neighbor’s yard, thank goodness, and they had their dog there and they would end (8:58) up playing.

But beware that when that snow falls and it creates a ramp, your dog can easily get (9:05) out and over the fence and escape. Icy surfaces can be dangerous, especially for senior dogs or (9:13) those with arthritis. Keep walks slow and steady and make sure your dog has a warm comfy spot to (9:20) relax when they get home.

For dogs who love snow but can’t tolerate cold for long, opt out for (9:26) shorter and more frequent outdoor sessions. Also supervise them and bring them inside at the first (9:32) sign of discomfort. Winter can be challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to get creative with (9:39) training and strengthen your bond with your dog.

For indoor games to snowy adventures, the (9:45) possibilities are endless. Keeping your dog safe and healthy during the colder months is just as (9:51) important as keeping them active. Whatever you decide, be it indoor or outdoor fun, take time to (9:58) exercise your dog’s mind and body.

When you do, you’ll be amazed at how happy and relaxed they are. (10:05) If you’re looking for a safe place for your dog to socialize and have indoor fun, our Enrichment (10:10) Daycare is an excellent option and we also offer a variety of indoor classes for dogs of all ages (10:17) and stages, so check out our website for a complete list. Thank you for tuning in to Mutts with Manners (10:24) Morsels, where we provide tidbits of information to enrich both ends of the leash.

For more tips, (10:31) classes, or daycare options, visit us at Mutts with Manners. Don’t forget to share this episode (10:37) with your fellow dog parents, and until next time, stay warm and keep those tails wagging. (10:43) If you’d like to learn more about Mutts with Manners and what we offer, please visit our (10:48) website at www.muttswithmanners.com and check out the show notes where we provide you with (10:55) more resources to have some fun with your pup during these cold days.

Thanks and have a great day!

If you have a topic that you would like me to have on a future podcast, please email us at info at muttswithmannerz.com. And don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this podcast if you found it interesting. Thanks for tuning in and have a pawesome day.

If you’re interested in hearing a topic that we may not have covered on our podcast, or you have questions, please reach out to us at info@muttzwithmannerz.com. Our goal is to enrich the lives of both ends of the leash. And today we’ve provided you with some tips on how to do that. Karen, thank you so much for joining me. And again, thanks listeners. Everyone have a great day.

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