Outdoors: Jays catching rays
Winter birds busy seeking the sun,
With warmer winter temperatures rising towards a balmy -9 C or even a veritable sun bath of 9 C, there’s all the more reason to get outdoors with your best friend. But instead of just the proverbial walk on a leash, it’s time to head to the dog park and embrace their enthusiasm with a variety of fun wintry games.
Granted, the size of the dog may influence some of the activities you can do, but generally canines like to have fun, and if these games can pull you out of your shell to play your part, you’ll get it back tenfold in dog kisses.
Here’s a list of some winter activities to enjoy:
SNOWBALL SNATCH
What says love more than throwing a snowball for your dog to catch? I mean really? And while not all dogs live to run, dig or jump to catch these snow spheres, some crave them like a healthy addiction.
My friend’s dog (a golden retriever named Heather) will chase, catch or dig to get to her snowball. You can do the same with your pet. Either make and toss them yourself, or if the snow is sticky enough, use one of the ball launchers to both form and launch to your pet’s delight.
It’s great fun to watch. Just visit any large field or dog park and participate. You might be running and throwing the balls in the air, letting the dog snack on every one they snatch … or you’ll stand still and toss them the appropriate distance. Either way, it’s truly entertaining to see the dog bound through the snow like deer.
So get outdoors, arm yourself and toss until you see your pet’s exhausted and satisfied smile.
HIDE AND SEEK
This wonderful game is also popular with dogs, and depending on your pooch, you can vary the rules. Choose from either a person hiding and the dog seeking them out, or hiding treats or toys and encouraging them to find what you’ve hidden.
If it’s the former, let your dog get ahead of you, then find a tree or bush to hide behind when they’re not looking. When you disappear, they’ll get excited and hurry to seek you out. Alternatively, if there are two of you, one can stay with the dog while (for example) the child runs and hides. When the dog finds the person, reward it with praise and a treat. Repeat.
If you’re doing the latter, when out in your yard or a nearby dog park, hide a toy or treat under something while the dog looks on. Then yell, “Find it!” excitedly, and work with the dog for the first couple of times until it gets the game you’re trying to play.
Out in the snow, you can hide treats under some branches or bring along a pie plate or Frisbee, anything the dog can flip up with its nose to enjoy the treasure beneath.
GENERAL SNOW FROLICKING FUN
There are many options with general snow fun. Some owners take their pets to a nearby toboggan hill, and if away from other kids, can put the pooch on the sleigh and send it down on its way. It’s almost equivalent to snowboarding and there are many videos showing dogs riding down the hill. Bonus points if you can teach the dog to bite the rope and pull the toboggan back to the top.
In my backyard, I often shovel a maze of pathways for our little dog to run through. She loves it. And if you start running through your own maze, your pet will enthusiastically chase you through it. This will inevitably lead to both of you wrestling in the snow and jumping on each other.
Everything from tossing sticks to chase games in general is a lot of fun. Embrace it, wear your snow pants and have a blast.
SAFETY
Don’t let your dog lick the “blue snow” on the drive … or any type of antifreeze, as even the smallest amount can be enough to kill them.
Be aware of their paws — both ice freezing between the pads and salt getting stuck and irritating their skin.
Severe temperatures down in the -30s C can really hurt your pet. If you’re out for a walk or letting a dog out of the house into your backyard, don’t forget about it. Supervise and monitor its behaviour. If you’re cold, so is it.
For smaller, thin-coated dogs, consider both an appropriately fitting dog coat and dog booties.
Clean the dog properly when you come back inside the house. A wet, warm towel will help melt ice off its fur, and clean off the salty snow as well.
Please do not have your dog off-leash around frozen ponds, rivers or lakes. They’ll see the water and go running. But if they fall in, don’t go get them. There have been many articles about humans dying trying to save their pet, where we find the pet often finds its way to shore. Be safe, be proactive.