5 Fun Tricks to Teach Your Dog Indoors During the Winter

When the snow starts to fall and the temperatures drop, it can be challenging to keep our dogs entertained and mentally stimulated indoors. Luckily, winter is the perfect time to teach your dog a few new tricks! Not only will this help keep them active, but these training sessions are also great for strengthening the bond between you and your pup. Here are five fun tricks to try out this winter with step-by-step instructions to make it easy.

1. Spin

Spin is an adorable and simple trick that most dogs can pick up quickly. Plus, it’s an easy way to get them moving even when you’re both staying cozy indoors!

How to teach your dog to spin:

1. Start with a Treat: Hold a treat in front of your dog’s nose, so they follow it.
2. Guide in a Circle: Slowly move your hand in a circular motion, encouraging your dog to follow the treat in a spin.
3. Add the Command: As your dog completes the circle, say “Spin” and give them the treat.
4. Practice and Repeat: Keep practicing in small sessions until they understand the command without needing the treat every time.

This trick not only looks impressive but also gets your dog to focus and respond to your cues!

2. Paw (Shake)

Paw is a classic! It’s a sweet trick that helps dogs understand basic manners and strengthens their communication skills.

How to teach your dog to give you their paw:

1. Get Their Attention: Hold a treat in your closed fist and let your dog sniff it.
2. Wait for the Paw: Most dogs will instinctively try to paw at your hand to get the treat.
3. Reward and Repeat: As soon as they touch your hand with their paw, say “Paw” or “Shake,” then reward them with the treat.
4. Practice and Praise: After a few tries, they’ll begin to understand that “Paw” means giving you their paw!

3. Fetch the Remote

For something a bit more advanced, Fetch the Remote is a cool party trick and can come in handy! It’s a good one to try if your dog already knows the “Fetch” command.

How to teach your dog to fetch the remote:

1. Start with Familiarity: Let your dog sniff the remote (or a safe, dog-friendly object like a soft toy for practice).
2. Add the Command: Say “Fetch the Remote” and encourage your dog to pick it up. If they hesitate, hold the remote in your hand to make it easier for them.
3. Reward for Progress: Once they touch or mouth the remote, reward them, even if they don’t bring it all the way at first.
4. Work Up to Fetching: Gradually add distance by setting the remote farther away each time. Soon, they’ll be able to bring it to you on command!

This trick can be challenging, so be patient, and keep training sessions short. Not only is this an impressive trick, but it’s also practical for those movie nights on the couch!

4. Play Dead

Play Dead is a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly easy to teach. It’s a great trick for dogs that already know how to “Lie Down.”

How to teach your dog to play dead:

1. Lie Down First: Ask your dog to lie down.
2. Guide with a Treat: Hold a treat near their nose and slowly move it toward their shoulder to encourage them to roll onto their side.
3. Add a Command: As they roll onto their side, say “Bang” or “Play Dead” and give them the treat.
4. Repeat with Praise: Practice a few times, rewarding each time they “play dead” on cue.

This trick is bound to make your dog the life of the party, even if it’s just the two of you snowed in!

5. Hide and Seek

While it might not be a “trick” in the traditional sense, Hide and Seek is a fantastic way to engage your dog’s senses and boost their problem-solving skills.

How to play Hide and Seek with your dog:

1. Start Small: Ask your dog to “Stay” while you hide in a nearby room.
2. Call Them to Find You: Once hidden, call your dog’s name and wait for them to find you.
3. Reward the Find: When they do, give them a treat or some enthusiastic praise!
4. Make it Trickier: As they get the hang of it, try hiding in different spots around the house to make it more challenging.

This game strengthens your dog’s listening skills and sharpens their instincts, making it a fantastic mental workout for cold days indoors.

Benefits of Training Tricks at Home

Teaching your dog these fun tricks isn’t just a way to pass the time on winter days—it’s also a way to reinforce your bond and keep your dog mentally stimulated. Every training session, whether big or small, strengthens trust and communication between you and your pup. Plus, learning new tricks boosts their confidence and helps keep their behavior balanced, making for a happier dog!

Need Help? Try Off Leash K9 Training Missoula!

Sometimes, teaching your dog even basic tricks can be challenging if they’re easily distracted or still learning basic obedience skills. At Off Leash K9 Training Missoula, we specialize in helping dogs reach their full potential in obedience, off-leash control, and beyond! Our professional trainers can help your dog master commands with ease.

Call us today at (406) 946-3037 for a free consultation and find out how we can support you and your pup’s training journey this winter! Whether you’re looking for a few fun tricks or serious obedience training, we’re here to make the journey fun and rewarding for you both.