How to Keep Your Dog Busy During Long Montana Winters
By Jessie
Montana is known for long winters, and the combination of cold weather and treacherous terrain can make it tough to get out and exercise our dogs. All that pent-up energy has to go somewhere — and it usually shows up as naughty behavior at home.
Use Interactive Feeding Toys
- Stuff a Kong with peanut butter, wet dog food, or plain Greek yogurt. For an extra challenge, freeze the toy beforehand.
- Food puzzles turn meals or snacks into a mental workout.
Teach a New Trick
Sit, stay, down, shake, high-five, roll over, play dead — the list goes on. YouTube is full of helpful tips for trick training, and it’s a wonderful way to bond with your dog without leaving the house.
Play Hide-and-Seek
Hide small treats or pieces of kibble around a room and let your dog sniff them out. Once your dog has mastered “Stay,” use it to hide from them!
Take a Field Trip to a Pet-Friendly Store
The wonderful distractions of a busy store are great for practicing loose-leash walking. A few of our favorite local pet-friendly stops include: Ace Hardware, Bob Ward’s, Bridger Animal Nutrition, Dee-O-Gee, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Montana Gift Corral, Murdoch’s, Petco, PetSmart, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
If you ever have questions about your dog’s behavior or wellness during the colder months, give us a call at (406) 587-5537 — we’re always happy to help.