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Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteWinter fun with a dog can mean a snow sport, a neighborhood outing, or an indoor scent game—snow and strenuous exercise are not required. Choose activities around your dog’s comfort, health, training, and the conditions underfoot. If you’re wondering, “What can I do with my dog in winter?”, start with one of these 11 options and adjust it to suit your companion.
11 winter activities to try with your dog
The first five ideas include winter sports and play described by the American Kennel Club (AKC); the remaining six are practical variations, including indoor options. The right fit depends on your dog, not on how adventurous an activity sounds.
1. Try skijoring
Skijoring combines cross-country skiing with dog mushing: your dog runs ahead while connected to you by a towline. It requires skis and poles, a skijoring belt, a towline, and a properly fitted pulling harness made for the sport—not an ordinary walking harness. Your dog should enjoy running and respond reliably to voice cues. Jan Reisen’s AKC overview describes a typical skijoring dog as over 35 pounds, but that is a description, not a universal veterinary cutoff. Snow and suitable terrain are needed; this is a high-exertion activity for a prepared team.
2. Give kicksledding a go
In kicksledding, a dog pulls a small sled while the person stands on its runners and kicks to help it along. You need a sled, pulling harness, towline, and reliable voice cues. It works best on flat, slick ground or packed snow, not deep powder, so check the surface before setting out. Like skijoring, it calls for suitable pulling equipment and a dog that is comfortable working ahead of you.
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3. Go snowshoeing together
Snowshoeing can be a gentler snow outing than a pulling sport: choose a short, familiar park loop or, if your dog is comfortable and fit enough, a route through deeper powder. The AKC lists snowshoes, a belt, harness, and towline for this activity. Keep the pace and distance appropriate to your dog; snowshoeing still means sustained outdoor exercise and uneven or deep footing.
4. Try canicross on a snow-free route
Canicross is cross-country running as a team, and it does not require snow. The AKC’s equipment list includes a well-fitting running harness, waist belt, and bungee line. Your dog needs to enjoy running and respond to voice commands, while you both need a safe route and a pace suited to your fitness. Avoid treating a standard leash setup as a substitute for the running gear.
5. Set up a backyard scavenger hunt
Hide a few treats or toys in shallow holes or small snow mounds and let your dog search using nose and eyes. This combines movement with sniffing and problem-solving, and you can keep the hiding places easy or challenging depending on your dog. It works in a yard with snow; supervise the game and keep rewards away from anything unsafe to eat.
6. Take a short walk on a familiar route
A regular neighborhood loop can be a winter activity in its own right. Familiar paths make it easier to keep the outing short and notice when your dog is uncomfortable. Snow is not essential; choose cleared, stable footing when possible and turn back if conditions or your dog’s response call for it.
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7. Play fetch or tug in a secure area
A brief game of fetch or tug can offer a burst of play without committing to a long outing. Use a securely enclosed area, especially for off-leash fetch, and keep the session moderate for your dog’s age, health, and fitness. Snow is optional; avoid slippery footing and stop if your dog seems reluctant or tired.
8. Practice recall or tricks outdoors
Use a quiet, enclosed space for a few short repetitions of a familiar cue or a new trick. A secure area matters most for recall practice; do not rely on an untested recall near roads, wildlife, or open terrain. This needs little equipment and can work without snow, but keep sessions brief if the weather or ground is uncomfortable.
9. Make a dog-friendly winter photo walk
Bring your camera on a relaxed outing and let your dog explore at a comfortable pace while you pause for pictures. Pick a route and duration your dog already handles well; the aim is an easy shared outing, not a long hike or a forced pose. Snow is optional, and a leash or enclosed area helps keep the walk safe.
10. Let your dog lead a low-key snow-day sniffari
On a safe, familiar route, give your dog time to investigate scents instead of covering distance. A sniffari can be low exertion compared with running or pulling sports, though cold, snow depth, and footing still affect how long it should last. It needs no special sport equipment; use a leash unless you are in a secure enclosed space.
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11. Bring the fun indoors with scent games or training
Hide treats in easy-to-find spots around a room, use an interactive enrichment toy, or teach a skill in short sessions. Indoor scent-work games, toys, and home training are among the winter options recommended by the AKC in its winter training guidance. No snow or outdoor gear is needed, and you can adjust the difficulty to your dog. Indoor classes are another option if your dog is comfortable learning around other dogs and people.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choose by your dog’s comfort, not the calendar
Age, size, ability, and general health all affect how much winter exercise is appropriate. The AKC advises considering those factors and consulting a veterinarian if you are unsure. A dog that loves a brisk run may not enjoy deep snow, and a dog that prefers indoor play does not need to be coaxed into a winter sport.
There is no single cold-weather threshold that applies to every dog. Jolee Stegemoller, DVM, who competes in AKC sports, says, “there isn’t an exact temperature that’s too cold for all dogs.” The AKC coat guidance likewise notes that sensitivity varies. Small, delicate, short-haired, young, and older dogs may need more protection; keep dogs indoors during extreme cold except for brief necessary trips.
- Start with an easy version. Keep walks short and increase their length only as your dog becomes comfortable. A familiar route or a short indoor game is a sensible starting point.
- Use gear only if your dog tolerates it. Boots can protect paws in winter conditions, but fit matters. Introduce boots, coats, or other clothing gradually and positively; clothing should fit without restricting movement. Supervise your dog in clothing and remove it if your dog appears distressed. The AKC explains how to train a dog to walk in rain or snow.
- Watch the ground and your dog. Avoid thin ice, which can crack. If skin looks white or blue, those can be signs of frostbite; bring your dog inside and contact a veterinarian for guidance.
- Keep antifreeze out of reach. The AKC warns that antifreeze ingestion requires prompt veterinary care. Do not wait to see whether symptoms develop.
Match the activity to the day
For a trained, energetic dog and a suitable snowy route, skijoring or kicksledding offers a more equipment-intensive outing. Snowshoeing, a short walk, or a sniffari can be scaled back to the dog and terrain. When weather, footing, or your dog’s comfort makes outdoors a poor fit, indoor scent games and training still give you something fun to do together.
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