Ways to exercise your dog indoors in winter

Autumn and winter can make dog walks hard work. Mornings are dark, wet and cold, and the afternoons get dark early. Dogs still need daily exercise and mental stimulation, though, and how much they need depends on their breed, age and health.

If it is too dark, icy or unsafe to go out for a proper walk, these indoor ideas can help keep your dog active and content.

Make your dog work for their treats

Hide some of your dog's favourite treats around the house and let them use their nose to find them. Start with easy spots, such as behind doors or under a table, then make it harder by using different rooms. Sniffing is tiring work, so a good search game can wear a dog out.

Food puzzle toys and treat-dispensing toys are another good option. Your dog has to think and move to get the food out. Take the treats out of their daily food allowance so they don't put on weight.

Stair games, with care

Going up and down stairs uses different muscles from a normal walk. You can stand at the top, roll a toy gently down a few steps, and call your dog back up when they have picked it up.

Only do this with healthy adult dogs. Skip it for puppies, older or arthritic dogs and long-backed breeds, and never throw toys down the stairs at speed.

If stairs aren't suitable for your dog, play fetch along a hallway or a clear stretch of floor instead, using a rug or runner so they don't slip.

Build an indoor obstacle course

Cushions, a blanket over two chairs to make a tunnel, or a broom handle resting low across two boxes can make a simple course. Guide your dog through it with treats and praise. Keep jumps very low, avoid anything with sharp edges, and make sure the floor isn't slippery.

Indoor training games

Short training sessions are a great way to use up energy on a wet day. Try:

• practising sit, down and stay in different rooms;
• 'find it' games, where your dog searches for a toy or treat you have hidden;
• teaching a new trick in a few short sessions of a couple of minutes each.

Keep sessions short and fun, and stop while your dog is still enjoying it.

Tug

Tug is a good game if you set rules: teach a 'drop' cue, pause if your dog gets over-excited, and stop if teeth touch skin. An old rope or a tug toy works well.

Using a treadmill

If you have a treadmill, it can give some dogs useful exercise, but it needs care. Let your dog get used to the sound and movement while it is switched off, and reward them for standing on it calmly.

Never tie your dog to the treadmill or leave them on it alone. Start at the slowest speed, and ask your vet first if your dog is older or has health problems. Increase the speed only to a gentle walk, and stop if your dog seems worried.