Winter canine enrichment: DIY dog treats, games, and more

The days are shorter. The malls are entirely too crowded (with some stores playing Mariah Carey on repeat). Depending on where you live, the ground might even be covered with snow. You know what this means: Winter is in full swing!

These dark, chilly months are a great time to curl up with our pups, a holiday movie, and a cozy drink. They can also be the perfect backdrop for adventure, though – whatever “adventure” means to you. Here’s a fresh roundup of favorite enrichment activities suited to the season. Share some fun foods, outings, and at-home experiences with your dog during these short days!

Wait, what is enrichment again?

At its simplest, enrichment refers to activities that “enrich” our dogs’ lives. Anything that brings our pups joy – while giving them opportunities to act out natural canine behaviors like sniffing, scavenging, and playing – is enrichment!

Our dogs feel most satisfied when we give them a wide range of experiences. Try to balance mental enrichment (like indoor trick training and puzzle toys) with physical enrichment (like romping through the snow or playing tug) for a balanced approach this winter.

Seasonal eats

Treat your dog to some festive snacks! Although our pups are primarily carnivores, their digestive systems can process pet-safe vegetables, fruits, and other tidbits in moderation.

Bonus: Canines are scavengers, too – meaning our dogs’ wild ancestors didn’t just hunt for their food but also searched for it, eating from a range of different sources – so adding variety to meals is a great way to bust food-related boredom.

• Share a warm drink with your dog. On chilly mornings, I like to heat a small bowl of bone broth for my dog to lap up while I sip my own coffee.
• Bake dog-safe holiday cookies (or other homemade treats). I love doing this each winter alongside the rest of our holiday baking. We make one batch of classic gingerbread cookies to give to our veterinary team – and then we make one batch of a dog-safe version to give to their own pups! This dog cookie recipe has been foolproof for amateur-baker me, and we’ve also saved some of the Juniper community’s go-to homemade treat recipes here.
• In my household, it’s pumpkin season from September through January. If you’re making a holiday pie or cheesecake, save some extra pumpkin for your pup. Make sure it’s plain pumpkin purée with no added sugar! This can provide extra fiber and make a tasty treat mixed in with your dog’s regular meal, frozen in an enrichment toy, or spread across a lick mat.
• Most fruits and many vegetables are out of season in the winter, particularly if you live in a cold climate. (So now’s probably not the time to take your pup to the farmer’s market.) That doesn’t mean you can’t still experiment with some dog-safe veggies, though! Common staples of holiday feasts – that are also okay for our pets to eat – include carrots, green beans, and sweet potatoes.

Indoor enrichment activities

Work your dog’s brain inside when the weather calls for coziness.

• Let your dog unwrap their own gifts. Find everything you need to know to do this safely here!
• Proof your dog's down or sit stay while you dance to your favorite holiday album. Ask them to hold the position, then slowly increase the level of distraction – that is, how vigorously you’re making a fool of yourself – to test their impulse control.
• Want to wear matching holiday sweaters with your best friend? Condition them to the clothing ahead of time so they feel comfortable! Read more about how to choose the right outfits here.
• Set up an indoor food search. Hide a few treats while your dog isn’t looking, then release them to sniff out the goods! You can also give your dog a puzzle toy, which is an alternative that lets you off the hook if you need a few minutes to yourself.
• Build an obstacle course in your living room. Once your pup is sufficiently tired, maybe turn the obstacle course into a blanket fort for a winter movie marathon.
• Visit a pet-friendly store to let your dog sniff a new environment – and, if they like social interaction with strangers, maybe meet a few new people. You might even snag an extra holiday gift for them or pick up some donations to take to your local shelter. (Bonus if your outing supports a local business!)

Outdoor adventures

I know, I know. It’s hard to get outside when the temperatures plummet. (Don’t even get us started on the late sunrises and early sunsets.) But with a little planning, there are still plenty of ways you can embrace the fresh air with your dog this time of year. In fact, a little movement and sunlight might be more important than ever to keep everyone’s spirits high!

• Go for a winter hike. You don’t have to worry about your dog overheating – but you should make sure they stay warm enough and avoid harsh road salt on their paws. Consider renting snowshoes for a fun twist on your typical walk!
• Follow your pup’s nose. Sniffing is good for our dogs – and it can be extra fun for us humans in the winter. Why, you ask? Once in a while the invisible scent trails our pups follow are marked by visible tracks we can actually see in the snow!
• Build a snowman. And then maybe let your dog destroy that snowman while trying to jump up and grab the stick-arms to play with. It’s always a laugh.
• Try out skijoring, where your dog pulls you on cross country skis. Or experiment with a different form of dog sledding if your pup is up for it! (Make sure to use a harness designed for safe pulling, and consult with your veterinarian or trainer for advice before getting started.)
• Let your pup chase you down a sledding hill, if you have a safe environment for them to run loose. We don’t get the chance to do it often, but when we do, this is one of my dog’s favorite ways to exercise in the winter. She’s always excited to greet us at the bottom.

Winter safety for you and your pup

In a perfect world, we can get outside with our dogs during daylight hours. This makes it easier for fellow hikers, skiers, or drivers to see us. (It’s also just more cheerful.) That’s not always the reality in winter, though. If you’re heading to work in the dark – and then coming home in the dark – most weekdays, here’s what to keep in mind.

• First things first: Don’t feel bad about opting for indoor activities on cold, dark days!
• Consider getting your dog a light-up collar, even if they’re going to stay on leash.
• Wear a headlamp or carry a bright flashlight yourself.
• Pack a small first aid kit that has an emergency blanket inside. I know this seems like overkill – but it’s even more important in the winter, when an injury can trap you in dangerous temperatures.
• Embrace dog jackets and booties if your pup has a thin coat (or simply seems more comfortable in them). My own dog doesn’t love tight-fitting clothing, but she appreciates a lightweight puffer vest on our coldest winter outings.

Need more enrichment inspiration?

We’ve got you covered with a 27-page guide full of 101 Easy Dog Enrichment Ideas, deep dives into popular enrichment categories like sniffing and chasing, plus a whole bunch of accessible articles and all written by pet parents, for pet parents. Here’s to a great winter!