Cold Mornings, Warm Noses: Sniffy Winter Walks

Cold Mornings, Warm Noses: Sniffy Winter Walks

Shorter walks. Richer sniffs. Simple indoor scent games for winter days.

Some dogs seem energised by frost, moving as though the cold air switches them on. If they are fit, well-conditioned and the footing is safe, let them enjoy using that winter energy. For many others, the season naturally shifts the pace. Older dogs, short coated breeds such as the whippet, or those recovering from injury may prefer a shorter, more scent-led walk before returning home to warmth and a snooze by the fire.

That does not mean less enrichment. A shorter walk can still offer meaningful engagement when the nose takes the lead. What cannot be extended outdoors can be enriched indoors. Even a few minutes of scentwork can leave a dog feeling more fulfilled, emotionally settled and less inclined to chew your new Christmas slippers!

Before heading out or settling in, support the body so the brain can do the work. If appropriate, apply a natural, unscented nose and paw balm before and after walks to help protect against grit and salt. Use a well-fitted coat for dogs that feel the cold more keenly. Consider slightly higher calories for dogs who remain very active outdoors in colder weather. Keep a warm towel or drying mitts by the door so they can transition comfortably back inside. Once settled, a short scent game is a great way to finish off a walk with a bit of fun mental stimulation.

Treasure Hunt

A simple indoor scent game that encourages calm investigation

Gather several cardboard boxes and space them a short distance apart in a room. For very small or less confident dogs, use boxes suited to their size - and let's be honest, most of us have a few left over from the festive season. You can even add some loosely scrunched cardboard inside to make the investigation more tactile and rewarding.

With your dog in another room, place a couple of treats or a favourite toy inside one box. Invite them back in and use a clear cue such as "Find it". Once they have located the item, repeat using a different box. Over time this helps dogs search with purpose rather than diving in randomly. Some enthusiastic dismantling of cardboard may occur early on. That is part of the process and usually part of the fun.

Hide one special treat in just one of the boxes and ask your dog to locate that single target. Keep sessions short. One or two rounds are usually enough, especially following a walk.

A short winter walk followed by an indoor scent game can offer the same sense of purpose as a longer, warmer-weather walk. When temperatures drop, simply shift the adventure indoors with a short sniffy search.

Winter Walk Essentials

Well fitted coat for short haired dogs or dogs that feel the cold more keenly
Natural, unscented nose and paw balm, such as those from The Dog and I, applied before and after the walk
Warm towel or drying mitts waiting by the door
High value treats for a post walk indoor scent game
Water resistant lead or harness for wet or icy terrain
Extra calories or a suitable snack for dogs that stay physically active in cold weather
Reflective gear or a light for darker mornings and evenings

www.thesniffershop.co.uk