How to stay motivated to get outside with your dog this winter!
Winter has a way of shrinking our worlds; the days get shorter, the sofa gets comfier and if you’re in the UK in this relentless rain, you’ll know ‘just five more minutes’ can turn into a skipped walk. However, when you share your life with a dog, you already know that being outside is non-negotiable. Movement keeps both our own and our dog’s bodies strong, minds bright and tails wagging – no matter what the season!
Here’s how we stay motivated when the temperature drops:
Dress for the win
The old saying ‘no such thing as bad weather…’ is kind of true! Layer up, grab your bobble hat, gloves and a decent jacket. For your dog, consider a waterproof or warm coat if your dog feels the cold. When you’re comfortable, you move more! Don’t forget to have a towel ready for when you get back to the car/van/house. Think about that post-walk hot drink and tired cuddle!
Lower the bar
Some days ‘around the block’ is perfect. Dogs generally don’t need epic walks every single day, they’re more than happy having a sniffy walk through the neighbourhood, as long as they’re by your side.
Turn walks into a game
When it’s too icy to run, try scent games or brush up on your training when underfoot is dicey. Practice short bursts of recall, heel work or teach them something new! We always carry a bag of Carnilove treats on this type of walk, which always go down well!
Track the wins
Take a photo or mark the calendar; seeing a streak of winter walks or runs builds pride. We recently hosted a January challenge to walk, run or bike 5k each week in January and it really helped get the group outside.
Fuel the adventure
Cold weather burns energy. Quality nutrition helps your dog recover and stay eager for the next outing. Carnilove’s wild-origin meat recipes are built for active dogs.
Remember who you’re doing it for
We are our dog’s whole world; it’s easy to forget this when our lives are so busy. They don’t care how long or how far; they just want to spend time with you!
Winter doesn’t have to be a pause, but it is absolutely fine to slow down and enjoy the colder months at a slower pace. Grab some treats and get outside and have some fun with your dog!
