Winter Puppy Activities

Winter weather is here! We understand that these colder times can make it more difficult to allow your puppy to get their playtime in. We have some great winter tips for you and your pup that will encourage them to learn and play!

If you and your pup are getting stir crazy visiting pet-friendly stores or puppy playdates are great options! These exciting adventures introduce your puppy to new sights, smells, and people. It’s also a great opportunity to practice leash skills and manners in public spaces. If you would rather stay home but still have socialization, invite a friend and their dog over for a playdate! Don’t forget to puppy proof the home that you will be hanging out at.

If it’s not too cold outside, we recommend letting your puppy experience the snow! To ensure safety, keep this snow time brief and monitor for signs of cold (shivering, lifting paws). If you would like to take your puppy on a walk or hike (Indiana has great walking paths) stick to sidewalks and paths cleared of snow and ice whenever possible. Avoid walking near salted areas, as salt can irritate your puppies’ paws.  If your puppy does encounter salt, be sure to rinse their paws off when you get home. Bring a few small treats with you on your walk to keep your puppy engaged and reward good behavior. Winter walks are also a great opportunity to practice basic commands in a different environment!

Indoor play is a great way to keep puppies entertained and engaged, especially if it’s too cold or rainy to go outside. Use Kongs or rubber toys filled with wet food, peanut butter, or other puppy-safe fillers and freeze them. This provides mental stimulation and keeps them occupied while indoors.Tugging games can also help burn energy and teach self-control. Hide and seek with your puppy is also a fun indoor game! They’ll love the thrill of searching for you and this exciting game will help reinforce your pup’s recall skills as well as providing mental stimulation.

Each of these activities will add great bonding time and play opportunities for you and your puppy during the cold season. Our Australian Labradoodles make especially great snow buddies as they love to play outdoors. New seasons with a puppy are exciting and enjoyable in their own differing ways!

Multi-generational Australian Labradoodles are a cross between many different parent breeds. The breed originated in Australia in the 1980s with the intent of creating an allergy-friendly service dog for the blind. Australian Labradoodles are a combination of a Poodle, Labrador Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, and Irish Water dogs. These breeds were hand-selected for specific breed qualities to create the ideal service dog for those with allergies. Since then, the breed has continued on and spread across the world. Australian Labradoodles are now considered their own breed with its own breed clubs (ALAA and WALA).