When winter hits and walks become shorter, icy, or downright miserable, a lot of dog owners start to panic.

“Is my dog getting enough exercise?”

“Why is my dog suddenly bouncing off the walls?”

“Do I need to just suck it up and walk anyway?”

Here’s the good news: your dog doesn’t need longer walks right now.

What they need is mental exercise—and honestly, they probably need it more in winter than in summer.

Let’s talk about why.

Winter Changes Everything (For Dogs Too)

Cold weather naturally limits:

• outdoor walks
• social interactions
• new smells and environments
• physical outlets

For dogs, that means fewer chances to use their brain.

And when dogs don’t get enough mental stimulation, we often see:

• zoomies at inconvenient times
• barking, whining, or restlessness
• destructive chewing
• “forgetting” their training
• attention-seeking behaviors

This isn’t your dog being stubborn or naughty.

It’s your dog saying, “I’m bored and I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Why Mental Exercise Is So Powerful

Here’s something I tell clients all the time:

Ten minutes of thinking can be more tiring than a 30-minute walk.

Mental exercise:

• builds confidence
• reduces stress and anxiety
• improves focus and impulse control
• prevents boredom-related behaviors
• strengthens your relationship

And the best part?

It doesn’t require leaving the house.

What Counts as Mental Exercise?

Mental exercise is anything that asks your dog to:

• problem-solve
• sniff and search
• make choices
• control their body
• focus on you

Some simple examples:

• puzzle toys
• snuffle mats
• “find it” games
• training games
• enrichment feeding

And no—you don’t need fancy equipment or hours of time.

Simple Mental Enrichment Ideas to Try Today

Here are a few easy ways to start:

• Scatter Feeding: Toss your dog’s meal in the grass outside or across the floor and let them sniff it out
• Puzzle Feeding: Use a puzzle toy, slow feeder, or even a muffin tin
• Snuffle Mats: Let your dog work for part of their meal using their nose
• DIY Enrichment: Roll treats in a towel, hide food in a cardboard box, or use paper bags
• Short Training Games: A few minutes of sit, down, place, or recall practice

You don’t need to do all of these.

You just need to do one or two consistently.

A Quick Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Here’s the biggest light-bulb moment for most families:

Exercise doesn’t always mean movement.

Sometimes it means engagement.

If your dog seems “too much” in winter, it’s often not because they need more activity—it’s because they need differentactivity.

And once you meet that need, everything else gets easier.

What’s Coming Next

In the next post, I’ll show you how to:

• turn everyday training into an indoor workout
• burn energy without hyping your dog up
• make training feel simple and doable—even on busy days

Want help getting started right away?

I created a free Winter Enrichment Bingo to make this fun and easy.