Winter Enrichment Ideas for Dogs at Home

When the weather turns cold and wet, it’s easy to fall into the trap of skipping walks and letting our dogs snooze the days away. And while rest is important, mental and physical enrichment is just as essential during winter – especially for dogs who thrive on structure, movement, and stimulation.

Whether you’ve got a high-energy pup bouncing off the walls, or a more mellow dog in need of a little winter motivation, here are a few of our favourite enrichment ideas to try at home.

🧠 Puzzle Feeders & Brain Games

Swapping your dog’s regular food bowl for a puzzle toy is one of the easiest ways to add daily enrichment. It slows down fast eaters, encourages problem-solving, and gives your dog a fun task to focus on.

Some of our favourites:

• West Paw Toppl – Stuff with ROAR or wet food, freeze it, and let your dog work it out

• Snuffle mats – Great for nose-work and encouraging natural foraging behaviour

• LickiMats – Spread with raw food, peanut butter, or bone broth and freeze

• Kongs – Classic for a reason. Pack it tight with treats or a frozen mix for longer engagement

Pro tip: Rotate different toys throughout the week to keep things fresh and exciting.

❄️ Frozen Treats

Freezing your dog’s food not only keeps them occupied longer – it also provides a satisfying challenge, especially for dogs who get bored easily.

Try freezing:

• ROAR raw dog food inside a Toppl or Kong

• Bone broth with a few treats mixed in

• A mash of raw meat, goat milk, and a sprinkle of Doggy Daily

• Water with fruit, treats, or kibble frozen into ice cube trays

Always supervise your dog the first few times to make sure they’re comfortable with the texture and challenge.

🐾 Indoor Activities for Wet Days

Can’t get outside? No problem. A few minutes of indoor play or training goes a long way.

Try:

• Short training sessions with basic commands or tricks

• Hide-and-seek with treats or toys

• Tug games or hallway fetch

• Scent games (e.g., hiding treats under cups or in boxes)

💛 Keep It Fun (and Manageable)

You don’t need to go overboard – even 10–15 minutes a day of structured enrichment can make a big difference in your dog’s behaviour and wellbeing. It helps reduce frustration, builds confidence, and strengthens your bond.

🐶 Or… Let Us Handle It

Want your dog to get plenty of mental and physical stimulation each week without the mess at home?

That’s exactly what Social Club is for.

With structured playgroups, rest breaks, and plenty of enrichment throughout the day, your dog will come home happy, tired, and fulfilled – no frozen treat prep required.

📩 To book a trial or learn more, visit canineandco.co.nz/social-club