“Why your dog’s behaviour often gets worse in winter.

And what to do about it!”

(A practical guide to keeping your dog calm and well-behaved in the colder months)

Jaffa and Tanzi rugged up for the wintry weather, but staying on their mat as requested

Heading into winter, many dog owners notice their dog’s behaviour seems to go a bit downhill. If that’s you,  you're definitely not alone.

Have you found yourself looking at your dog and wondering what's going on? They seem less settled. More overstimulated. More bouncy. You're getting more barking at the front window than usual. They seem to be more demanding or jumping up.

No, they have not forgotten everything you ever taught them. Winter can be hard.

So what's going on?

As we move into winter, our dogs often begin to respond to changes in their routine and ours. Also, to changes in us, their environment, and their own energy levels.

It's getting colder outside, and we are a bit more reluctant to go outside. So they tend to hang inside with us. We all start to huddle up a bit more in the warmth. And that can lead to them feeling a bit cooped up sometimes, leading to zoomies and sometimes acting out.

Walks tend to get shorter. Or skipped. Park time often drops off, too. It's cold, windy, and their playmates might not be around. Even dogs seem a bit over it sometimes.

And even when you are at home, we tend to be a bit more reluctant to get out into the yard. We're more likely to spend our spare time watching a movie than getting out for some gardening. So our dogs are also a little less active. Or a lot less in some instances.

Their excess energy, in some instances, can manifest as an inability to settle. More rushing at the window and barking. More cheeky moments of grabbing the kids' toys, jumping up or counter surfing.

And in some instances, weather conditions will also increase anxiety or reactivity for some dogs.

Particularly those who are sensitive to the sounds of heavy rain or wind. Worse for those who are storm-sensitive.

So what can we do about it?

Just because we're stuck at home, doesn't mean we should behave poorly

Naturally, we'll be super aware of their excess of energy. Or of the potential stress that our dogs may feel as we move into winter. When those lovely, sunny-but-cold days emerge, grab the opportunity to get out. A nice long walk, park run, or even wrap up and head for the beach. 

But there are going to be a lot of housebound days.

I think it's awesome that people invest in toys, long-lasting treats, or even puzzles. These are great fun for your dog and can be confidence-building in some instances. But they are not my favourite way to occupy a dog. 

I love it when people choose to occupy their dogs' time wisely. With exercises or activities that promote their dogs' learning, impulse control and self-regulation. Exercises that will benefit both dog and owner. Mind, not just muscles.

So life gets better for both.

These are actually the perfect times for you to interact with your dog purposefully. Teach, train and get their brain working. And have some fun.

Simple winter activities to help your dog stay calm & well-behaved:

1.     Training sessions. Work them through their sit, drop, heel, and place type exercises. Imagine if you did 5 minutes every day. Or every other day. Or even one more session per week than you usually do.

2.     Duration work. Put them into Drop or Place. And keep them there for an hour whilst you cook, clean, play with the kids, sweep, etcetera. The impulse control it will take for them to hold it will be exhausting, even though they are primarily stationary. Don't believe me - give it a try!

3.     Long-lasting treats (of course). We like bully sticks, pig ears, goat horn and deer antlers. (I'd love to hear your dog's favourite, so please drop me a line!)

4.     Toys. Try bringing out ones they haven't seen for a while. Rotating is a great idea, or just dig down to the bottom of the basket. Occasionally, treat them to a new one. Or let them play with something they would not normally get. The inner roll from the paper towel roll is popular here.

5.     Set a boundary and keep it open, but teach your dog not to cross it. No matter what distraction you provide on the other side. The kitchen is a great one, and the dish you are cooking will be an awesome distraction.

6.     Try some trick training. This is fun to do together and will help build a bond between you both. And you can even get some titles if you work through an online program together.

Choosing a good behaviour rather than something cheeky or naughty

7.     Nothing. Let them choose how to spend their time. If they make a bad choice, like heading for the cat food or your shoes, get ready to correct it. If they make a good choice, reward them. This builds independence and manners. I like to refrain from micro-managing my dogs in this situation. Just allow them to choose to amuse themselves in a good way (and get praise) or a not-so-good way (and get in trouble). Either way, I'm watching out of the corner of my eye.

Learning is exhausting, so make the most of it and watch them settle down for a sleep after a lot of these activities. Especially some of the ones that challenge their behaviour the most.

So I know exactly how frustrating it can feel when the weather starts to close in. We get stuck at home with our dogs at times when we would rather be out and about. And both parties get frustrated. Everyone seems to be bouncing off the walls sometimes.

Do try to understand things from your dog's perspective, but don't allow the reason to become an excuse.

If I could only give you one piece of advice, it would be this.

Don't wait to get professional help with your dog. Don't wait for spring and better weather. Don't wait for your life to be less busy. Don't wait for your dog to mature a bit more. The best time to deal with training or behaviours is now. 

In fact, now might be the time when you have the most availability. The time you can definitely work with a trainer. Or work through a training program.

And if you're thinking that going out to a group class, in the middle of winter, sounds freezing and totally unappealing, I'd have to agree. A tough ask on a wintery weekend morning. 

But I do have an easy solution! 

Turn Mischief into Manners is perfect for winter. A complete training program you can do from the comfort of your home. Learn at your own pace. Teach your dog valuable skills, and get professional support whenever you need it. Message me today to see if it's the right fit for you.

Happy wintering, everyone! Here’s to calm dogs and warm homes!

PS You're not a bad dog owner if winter hits and you can't face taking your dog out for exercise. Winter is hard, and we're all human. But do try to exercise their mind.

About A New Leash on Life Dog Training

Zander, Keryn, Jaffa & Miki

Because I use a balanced approach to dog training if you choose to train with me, we will be using positive reinforcement and rewards, but we will not be using food. I prefer not to rely on food because I don’t want to take food with me every place I ever go, I don’t want my dogs to learn to ignore me if I have no food or run out, and I don’t want to end up in a situation where I might still be of less importance to my dog, even with food, than the dog he's playing with or bird he’s chasing etc. Additionally, I do use the word no, and I do teach a consequence process for ignoring me or for an unacceptable behavioural choice, but without resorting to fear, intimidation, or pain.

So, for me, I train my dogs the way that I feel aligns with my belief system – rewards for listening and good behaviour but without food reliance – consequences without violence for inappropriate choices.

What do you believe in?