How to entertain a dog in the really bad weather?!

[shivvy]

I don't mind dog walking in most weathers. In fact I quite like getting all wrapped up and heading out to brave the elements. However sometimes the weather is particularly awful and (because my little mutt has a bit of a fear of wind and rain), it isnt the right thing to do to go out for a walk.
However this doesn't stop my wee girl from wanting and expecting a bit of excitement to liven up her day.
I play lots of indoor games (training disguised as fun!) with her such as getting her to sit outside a room then hiding a small treat and then calling her in to hunt it out. Or tying a ball inside a towel and getting her to unwrap it.
However I wondered how other people entertained their dogs when the weather really was too bad to venture out in.
All suggestions welcomed!

[shivvy]

Approx 3 years. She is a rescue so nothing is for sure!

[shivvy]

Yes, have a garden but as i said, she really doesnt like being out in the wind and rain.

[Buenchico]

Simply playing 'fetch' with a soft toy (e.g. a 50p teddy bear from a charity shop) can keep a dog entertained (and you bored stiff!) for hours. You don't need a garden. A hallway or, even better, a flight of stairs provides an ideal playground.

Chris

[slinkycat]

Seems like you are doing all you can, like you I do extra training, including teaching tricks, which he loves. He is also quite obsessive so will happily interact with one toy for hours on end, eg fetching and catching his favourite tennis ball, which gives him loads of excercise inside if I haven't taken him on a long walk.

[shivvy]

Maybe I'm doing all I can.

She can now do things that I never meant to train her. She gives a 'high five', she dies (ie rolls onto her back when I say 'bang'!), sits up on her bum and does a 'beg' etc.
Maybe I just need inspiration for doing more of the same?!

[Buenchico]

'Doing tricks', for the pleasure of the 'pack leader' (i.e. you) might well give your dog pleasure but she needs exercise and to follow her more basic instincts.

She'll be much happier (and get far more exercise) from a simple game of 'fetch' than she ever will from 'begging', 'dying' or whatever.

[slinkycat]

You could also use the time to reinforce and build on basic training, depending on how advanced she is, such as sitting and staying while you go out of the room, or getting her to lie down from a distance, or making sure she always lets you through a door first, they're the ones I'm working on!
Also as Chris says, lots and lots of fetch games!

[shivvy]

Maybe you didnt read all of my question chris.
I dont just get her to 'do tricks' for me as 'pack leader'.
She is a terrier mix so therefore hunting for treats in the house really suits her 'basic instincts'.
She is a rescue dog and came to us with quite a few problems. A trainer has told me that Fetch isn't always the best type of game to play with all dogs because it can focus the attention on something other than being beside the owner.
Is your dog pedigree and do all the games suit him/her?

[slinkycat]

Ha ha pinkylady! I'm all for old fashioned good manners, but when it comes to my dog I'm the boss, besides I'm the lady of the house so as a mere male he should defer to me;-)

[slinkycat]

Shivvy my dog is a terrier as you can see from my avatar, he is so attentive to whoever is playing catch with him, because he knows that without us the game stops, especially if you train him that he will be ignored if he doesn't share the ball. Hunting for toys or treats is also great, as are tuggy games with a rope, let her win sometimes, but you have ultimate control of the rope, and get her to "give" it now and again.

[Answerprancer]

Lasers (but don't let it get into the wee beastie's eyes) they go MENTAL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWUM2jERh9I

[Answerprancer]

Ok...shoot :-)