With temperatures in the -20s, we only take our sheltie (Theo, ~1.5 yrs old) out twice a day to do his business. We haven't gone on walks this week because the neighborhood sidewalks are very badly shoveled and there's ice. Every time we take Theo out, he doesn't want to come in (even after doing his business)) and starts behaving badly (like jumping on my mom). What kinds of exercise are best for shelties in the winter?
Exercising in the winter
- Thread starter SableLove
- Start date
trini
Forums Sage
Do you have stairs in your home? If so, you can start at the top with Theo and roll a ball or toy down the stairs and have Theo go down, retrieve it and bring it back up until he tires. As long as your stairs are not slippery so he slides and falls, stair workouts are good for tiring out an energetic pup when it is too icy to be safe to do any running games outside.
Trini
Trini
Shelby's mom
Forums Enthusiast
My DH made an agility jump out of PVC pipe and we set it up in our basement for her. We throw the ball back and forth so she jumps over the jump to fetch the ball.
We do some nose work in the house, making her find the "hidden" treats. This is both physically and mentally tiring.
Or we just have fun doing some tricks and basic training commands.
We do some nose work in the house, making her find the "hidden" treats. This is both physically and mentally tiring.
Or we just have fun doing some tricks and basic training commands.
2GoodDogs
Forums Enthusiast
Do you have an exercise ball? FitPaws makes some great inflatable balls, peanuts, discs and has several great video's on their website for strength, co-ordination, exercise and fun. We use ours year round for core strength and it doesn't take long to get a good work out.
www.fitpawsusa.com
www.fitpawsusa.com
rebounding
I use a rebounder (mini tramp) for health purposes. Ya know your dogs are bored inside/cabin fever when they are trying to jump up and down on the rebounder for entertainment. It has been "available" and never once did they venture on it, but with the colder temps, limited outside time, and absence of long walks...they are getting "creative". I love my lil monsters for being clever!!!
I use a rebounder (mini tramp) for health purposes. Ya know your dogs are bored inside/cabin fever when they are trying to jump up and down on the rebounder for entertainment. It has been "available" and never once did they venture on it, but with the colder temps, limited outside time, and absence of long walks...they are getting "creative". I love my lil monsters for being clever!!!
mimiretz
Forums Enthusiast
Judyg had posted this a while ago phttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1osted. I got one for Oberon, and he loves it! He jumps and chases it for as long as I let him.
Also, my husband gets on the floor and plays "I'm going to get the puppy" with him. This basically consists of Lee chasing Oberon while saying "I'm going to get the puppy". Not terribly inventive, but fun for both and tires Oberon out.
Also, my husband gets on the floor and plays "I'm going to get the puppy" with him. This basically consists of Lee chasing Oberon while saying "I'm going to get the puppy". Not terribly inventive, but fun for both and tires Oberon out.
I would play a quick game of fetch outside, maybe 5-10 minutes, several times a day. My dogs love to run and roll in the snow, our windchills have been -30 for the last couple of days, they still run around and roll in the snow. Its times like this I am glad I have more than 1 sheltie, (and a fenced in yard)with having a 2 month old baby I cant take them for walks until it warms up considerably. They are content though to just chase each other in the snow.
Ann
Moderator
We play chase the big ball in the dog yard when weather permits, even if it's just for a few minutes.
I also train mine to the treadmill and when it's impossible to get them out, I'll put the ones who need it on leash, sit beside them and let them do a working walk for about 10 minutes. Not exactly fun or games, but it does help keep them fit and exercised.
I also train mine to the treadmill and when it's impossible to get them out, I'll put the ones who need it on leash, sit beside them and let them do a working walk for about 10 minutes. Not exactly fun or games, but it does help keep them fit and exercised.