How to Keep Your Dog Active This Winter (Without the Muddy Madness)
Let’s face it: winter walks can be a nightmare. Muddy fields, freezing rain, and zero daylight hours? Not exactly ideal for a relaxed stroll with your dog.
But that doesn’t mean your dog has to miss out on exercise or enrichment. With a few smart swaps, you can keep their body moving and their brain buzzing - without the cold, the chaos, or the car full of mud.
Here’s how:
1. 🛡️ Book a Secure Field With Hardstanding or Gravel Paths
If you’re local to Cheshire or Staffordshire, The Dog Play Park is a no-brainer for winter exercise:
Floodlit for evening and early morning sessions
Secure solo use (no off-lead surprises!)
Hardstanding parking + easy-clean entrance zones
Tea & coffee station so you stay warm too ☕
Dogs love it - and so do their humans.
🟢 Book your winter bundle here → www.thedogplaypark.com
2. 🎾 Use Movement-Based Games Indoors
Your living room is more versatile than you think:
Tug-of-war: Builds strength and connection
Fetch down a hallway: Just mind the skirting boards 😅
Training with treats: A great way to work body and brain
Top tip: Short 5–10 minute play sessions are perfect for indoor activity bursts.
3. 🧠 Get into Scent Games & Mental Work
A tired brain is a calm dog. And most dogs love sniffing out a reward.
Try:
Snuffle mats
Hidden treats in cardboard boxes
Scatter feeding or treat trails
Kong stuffing with frozen yoghurt or mashed banana
Perfect for rainy days.
4. 🚶 Walk Smarter, Not Longer
Winter walks don’t need to be epic. Choose short, quality strolls:
Stick to well-lit pavements and quiet residential loops
Use a longline to build recall in quiet areas
Keep sessions short and positive
You’ll both feel better for doing something without overdoing it.
5. 💡 Combine Enrichment + Solo Park Play
Here’s a smart routine:
Start your day with 5 minutes of training or puzzle time
Then head to a private dog field like ours for some off-lead zoomies
Finish with calm time at home and something to chew on
Balance = a happy dog 🐶
🟢 Explore our secure dog field near Congleton → www.thedogplaypark.com
❄️ Bonus: Build a Mud-Free Winter Routine
Keep an old towel in your boot
Trim paw fur to avoid clumps of snow/mud
Use a doormat or doggy shower near your entrance
Keep sessions short and focused - avoid the soggy slog!
Your dog doesn’t need to be drenched and covered in dirt to enjoy the colder months.
🎁 Winter Bundles & Gift Cards Now Live
Want to make winter walks actually fun again?
