Whether its extreme cold or extreme heat in your area that you’re experiencing, a responsible dog parent needs to keep their dogs safe when the weather gets to be at either extreme. The best way to do this is by minimizing their exposer outside. Extreme cold and extreme heat both place high risk for our pets. A responsible pet owner makes sure their dog still gets their needed exercise despite the temperature outside.
We just experienced -30 degree weather this weekend were we live in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Our French Bulldogs hated going potty outside in the freezing weather, but they did great. They did their business right way and ran back inside! Here in Wisconsin we also get extreme heat at times in the summer. French Bulldogs, like any other brachycephalic dog breed (the smooshed in face breeds) really struggle in extreme heat as well.
I’m going to share with you 3 things we do with our dogs whether its too hot or too cold outside. It’s so important to make sure your dog gets exercise every day in one form or another. We mainly do a variety of different forms of mental stimulation to exercise our dogs when the weather is too extreme.
This is because it is a fun way to prevent boredom and destructive behavior, teaches them how to focus and improves problem-solving skills, and lastly it tires them out even better than a long walk normally would! Just 15 minutes of your dog doing a mentally stimulating activity is equal to them spending an hour of physical activity.
- Dog Puzzle’s
Dog puzzles come in different levels (1- Easy, 2- medium, 3- hard) You hide little treats in the dog puzzle and then give it your dog. It’s so fun for them to do and its so adorable to watch them! Win win!
Here is a link to a favorite beginner level Puzzle for your dog:
2. Training games
Teaching your dog a new trick is another easy form of mental stimulation and enrichment for your dog. Once mastered, its also a great party trick to show off to your guests what your dog can do. Teaching your dog a new trick is also another great way to bond with your dog.
3. Frozen Kong
Kongs are probably the easiest way to mentally stimulate your dog. You just fill them with something healthy of your choice (ex. blueberries, peanut butter, pumpkin, healthy canned dog food) and then put it in the freezer until your ready to use it. I normally give these to our dogs in their crate so they don’t get our house messy.
Here is a link to kong toys on Amazon:
Make sure to save this dog friendly guide for when the weather gets extreme in your area and you need to keep your dog busy. Of course, we also play fetch and tug of war indoors with our dogs when it gets too hot or cold outside. However I feel like mental stimulation techniques aren’t talked about enough.