What do you do with your doodle in the winter?

[Azure & Muppet]

We live in an area of the country (northern Utah) where the winter months are very cold and snow covered. During the warmer seasons of the year, going outside to play and exercise a dog is easier. But in the winter, it becomes more difficult due to freezing cold temperatures, deep snow, and limited daylight hours (gets dark very early). To make matters worse, our city does not have a dog park, and the nearest one is closed from November to March. I'm wondering what other people do with their dogs to get play and exercise during winter (especially those who experience similar weather conditions)?

[Jessica & Lucie]

I haven't had my dog in the winter yet, but when it was too snowy or cold for me to run outside I used to try to find the largest empty parking garage (on the weekend usually) and run inside. That way no snow, less wind, and enough room to run. I will probably resort to this with Lucie when the weather gets really bad.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

If you can teach your dog to fetch and LOVE doing it, your troubles are over. I alway use a kong w a long string and my dogs would chase it for a long time. I coupled it w/ a walk off leash around the park. They learned to fetch 3 or 4 times, (more when younger) then enjoy the walk through the woods. They like to carry it around, although sometimes they put it down in the bushes and we lost alot of them that way. I even used hills when they were little (these were yellow labs). It really takes the stink off them, then they are happy to stay by you on the walk and it doesn't involve hours of walking. You do have to clean them up after, but that was worth it to me. They would always sleep so peacefully after and never bug us for extra attention or do unwanted behaviors like chewing. It does take dedication to go out to the park in the snow, but there were always others w/ pups to keep me company. Good luck.

[DeeDee and Sheila]

Carolyn Scott and Rookie is fabulous. Man, makes my solution seem amateur. You guys are something else. I learn so much from you all.

[Lindsey]

My Zea loves the snow just as much as me! She loves snowshoeing with me and she actually rolls and chases her own snowballs! She doesn't seem to get too cold with all that hair. I have a hard time getting her to come in from the backyard some nights and when she does it's takes an hour to de-snow her!

[Lynne B]

I'm in Reno and it's snowy and cold here too. I hired a professional dog trainer who takes Beck out with 8 or 9 other dogs for about half a day, once a week. She takes them to BLM land and walks with them off-lead, then lets them play, it's about $12 a session and it's well worth it since I absolutely hate to be out in the cold. He also goes to doggy day care usually once a week & is in an intermediate training class

[Tamara & Giada]

We still walk in the winter, but not nearly as much..........so there is a need to find things to do. Our dogs love to play chase the flash light and this REALLY wears them out physically and mentally! We also hide treats and toys in boxes for them to figure out how to get out and a nice training session teching fun tricks is always good! GL : )

[Tamara & Giada]

Oh we also do the toy on a stick...........Giada LOVES this! There is a post about it somewhere on her on how to make it!

[PB]

Playing in doors is a must but not always easy to do for long periods of time. I would especially like to know how people protect their doodles from the clumped on ice and snow that seems to attach itself so easily to their feet, legs and bodies. I bought boots for Sydney, my miniature labradoodle, however at least 1 or 2 of them fall off when running in the snow. I'll put a doggie shirt on her just to keep the snow from freezing onto her hair, but find that I frequently have to blow dry her upon coming in because the frozen snow does not easily melt. Nonetheless, she loves romping in the snow and would probably stay out there, frozen or not.

[michael kell]

Take em outside and go sledding...my doodles love sledding!!!!! They love the snow....I have never seen them so happy.

[Dave]

I moved to Southern California. That solved the problem of things being too cold.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Ha!

[Camilla and Darwin]

Playing "hide and seek" is always fun, and I think it helps solidify the "come" command.