How to Keep Your Dog Active in Fall and Winter: Cold-Weather Fitness Tips

Bundled up for a snowy day, a young man shares an affectionate moment with his pug, both wearing cozy winter jackets.

Yes, we get it: late-fall walks are no one’s idea of a tropical getaway, but yet you have to think about keeping your dog active in the fall and winter seasons. It’s dark before dinner, the sidewalks are slippery, and your dog now believes puddles are out to get them. But while fall and winter encourage all of us to get a little cozier, your dog still needs consistent exercise, mental enrichment, and structure to stay healthy and happy. Therefore, no matter how tempting the couch may be, regular outdoor time is still a must! A slower season doesn’t have to mean a sluggish pup. While you may both be tempted to become decorative throw pillows this fall, your dog still needs movement, stimulation, and regular doses of exploring the streets.

Here’s how to keep your dog physically and mentally active when the weather gets cold, the daylight disappears, and your motivation is hiding under a pile of fleece.

1. Walks To Stay Active in Cold Fall & Winter Weather: Keep Them Short, Structured, and Stimulating

When the air hurts your face and the sidewalk is more ice rink than walkway, walking your dog can feel like a test of wills. But dogs still need exercise, structure, and a consistent routine, even if the weather makes you both question your life choices.

Walking together with mutual respect, even for shorter sessions, keeps your dog fulfilled without reinforcing bad habits. And let’s be honest, when it’s -5°C and your ears are frozen, efficient walks are a blessing. Use these 6 tips for your future walks instead of skipping walks entirely or letting your dog haul you around like a sled team, adjust your walk strategy:

1. Keep walks structured, even if they’re shorter. A quick 10-15-minute walk with focus, leash manners, and purposeful movement is far more beneficial than 30 minutes of chaos or dragging. Teach your dog to walk at your side, check in with you, and practice loose-leash walking as a team.

   
   

2. Incorporate focused sniff breaks as a reward. Structured walks don’t mean “no fun”. You can build in permission-based sniffing to give your dog mental enrichment after good leash behavior. For example, walk for a few minutes calmly, then release with a cue like “go sniff” or "get busy" to let them explore briefly. By doing this, it will turn sniffing into a reward and help build engagement.

   
   

3. Use engagement games to warm up or cool down. Before the walk, do a little engagement drill indoors, such as name recognition, eye contact, hand touches, or “find it” with treats. These not only mentally prep your dog, but also keep the walk focused and cooperative from the start.

   
   

4. Use proper gear. Make sure your leash and collar are sturdy for better control if your dog’s leash skills are still in training but always pair it with positive reinforcement and consistency.

   
   

5. Bundle up -both of you. Your dog may need a coat, especially if they’re small, short-haired, or a breed genetically designed to disapprove of cold temperatures. Add reflective gear or clip-on LED lights to your dog’s collar or harness as nighttime visibility is key for safety.

   
   

6. Go for quiet streets or parks. With fewer daylight hours, traffic increases during the short time people are out walking. Avoid crowded or high-traffic areas to reduce stress for both you and your dog.

Two dogs, bundled up in winter coats, joyfully play in the snow. One chases the other, who holds an orange chuck-it ball in its mouth, against a backdrop of snow-covered trees.

2. Indoor Games Activity For Fall And Winter: Trick Their Brain Into Thinking They Had Exercise

If your dog is bouncing off the walls and you’re still trying to remember where you packed the mittens last year, it's time to embrace indoor enrichment.

Your dog doesn’t just need movement, they need mental stimulation, and you can give it to them without stepping out in the cold.

Here are 4 quick and easy options that don’t require a trip to the store:

1. Towel burrito game: Wrap treats or kibble in a towel, roll it up, and let your dog figure out how to unroll the snack sushi. Easy, fun, and oddly satisfying to watch.

   
   

2. Snuffle mats & puzzle toys: These let your dog "forage" indoors, using their nose and brain to work for their food. Think of it as a doggy sudoku. A tired nose = a tired dog.

   
   

3. Hide & seek: Hide treats or toys around the house and let your dog find them. Start with easy finds and then when your dog understands the game increase the difficulty.

   
   

4. DIY trick training: Use mealtime or boredom breaks to teach a new trick. Even if it is just one command a week like teaching them to high five, spin or turn off the lights with their nose, you'll both have fun together.

   
   

Mental stimulation can burn as much energy as a walk plus, it gives your dog a job. And when your dog has a job, they’re less likely to make one up… like chewing your slippers or reorganizing your paperwork.

A small Chihuahua dog confidently wearing a transparent raincoat with bright orange trim, standing in a puddle against a backdrop of lush greenery, ready for a rainy-day adventure.

3. DIY Dog Activities - Indoor Agility

If your house looks like a tornado of dog toys, Amazon boxes, and furniture shoved out of the way then congratulations, you're halfway to building a dog agility course!

Indoor agility is a great way to keep your dog’s body moving, especially on those days when your weather app just says “Nope.”

Start with simple setups like:

• Couch cushion hurdles for jumping practice

• Chairs and broomsticks for crawling under or jumping over

• Tunnels made from blankets over chairs so it’s like a fort, but for fitness

• Paper towel rolls or plastic cups for weaving or nose targeting

  
  

Use treats, toys, or sheer enthusiasm to guide your dog through the course. Don’t expect Olympic-level performance (unless you’re training a border collie, in which case, they’ll probably redesign your course and improve your time.)

If you have stairs, you’ve got a built-in workout machine. Toss a toy up the steps and let your dog retrieve it.

A French Bulldog in a cozy, colorful sweater gazes up at its owner during a snowy winter walk.

4. Embrace the Cozy… But Balance It With Structure

We all love a good snuggle. And if your dog wants to spend more time curled up next to you during fall, that’s fine! But there’s a difference between “cozy time” and “I haven’t moved since Tuesday.” As dogs become less active in the colder months, it's easy to overfeed and underexercise. And the result of that would be a dog who waddles into the new year looking like a potato with legs.

Here’s how to prevent that:

• Adjust their portions if they’re moving less. No shame in the slow season, but they don’t need summer-calorie rations if they’re getting winter movement.

  
  

• Incorporate mini movement breaks into the day. Tug-of-war in the living room, fetch down a hallway, or just 5 minutes of trick training between Zoom calls can do wonders.

  
  

• Stick to a routine. Even if walks are shorter or indoors, dogs thrive on predictability. Keep mealtimes and activity windows consistent to avoid behavior issues that come from boredom or frustration.

  
  

Two dogs meet playfully on a snowy day, one sporting a red jacket while the other is leashed in a harness, as they explore their frosty surroundings.

5. Cold Weather Gear & Realistic Expectations

Some dogs live for cold weather (hello, Huskies). Others act personally victimized by wind. Know your dog’s cold-weather tolerance and equip them accordingly.

Cold weather gear to consider:

• Boots: Essential for protecting paws from salt, snow, and your dog's own sass. Expect drama the first few times. Boot-walks are part fashion show, part interpretive dance.

  
  

• Jackets or sweaters: If your dog has short hair, little body fat, or the attitude of a Victorian poet in a rainstorm, they probably need a coat.

  
  

• Wipe-down routine: After walks, check paws for ice buildup and wipe off any de-icing chemicals. Use a pet-safe balm or moisturizer to prevent dry, cracked pads.

  
  

Final Woofs

Fall and winter don’t have to mean a hibernation lifestyle for your dog or for you. With a little creativity, some indoor hustle, and the occasional trip through the Leafy Gauntlet of Doom (aka your backyard), you can keep your dog active, engaged, and healthy even when the weather outside is frightful. Just remember that dogs don’t care if it’s 5 p.m. and pitch black they still think it’s time for second dinner.