How to Keep Your Small Dog Active and Happy Through a Perth Winter
How to Keep Your Small Dog Active and Happy Through a Perth Winter
Winter in Perth is not going to bring us snow, but it certainly changes our daily routines. The mornings are darker, the rain is more frequent and those evening walks can quickly become a lot less appealing. While we might enjoy staying warm indoors, our dogs do not always understand why their favourite adventures have suddenly stopped.
For many small dogs, winter can mean less exercise, fewer opportunities to socialise and more time spent inside. Before long, that extra energy can turn into boredom, barking, chewing or chaos around the house.
The good news is that keeping your dog active in winter doesn’t have to involve braving the rain every day. With a little creativity at home and the occasional daycare adventure, your pup can stay happy, healthy and mentally fulfilled all season long.
Why Winter Can Be More Challenging for Dogs
Although Perth winters are fairly mild, they’re still enough to affect your dog’s routine.
Rainy mornings often mean cancelled walks, muddy parks and less sunshine, making it harder to fit exercise into a busy day.
Small dogs usually notice the change more than larger breeds. Because of their size, they lose body heat more quickly and many short-coated breeds simply do not enjoy cold, wet weather. When regular exercise decreases, dogs can become restless, destructive, more vocal, or simply bored.
Fortunately, physical exercise is only one part of keeping your dog happy. Mental enrichment can be just as effective at tiring them out.
Indoor Enrichment Ideas
Puzzle Feeders
Swap your dog’s food bowl for a puzzle feeder or treat-dispensing toy. Working for their meal encourages problem-solving, slows fast eaters down and keeps their brain engaged.
Snuffle Mats
Dogs naturally love sniffing. A snuffle mat allows them to search for hidden treats or kibble, providing excellent mental stimulation and satisfying their natural instincts without needing much space
Short Training Sessions
Winter is the perfect time to refresh basic training. Five or ten minutes practising sit, stay, recall or fun tricks like spin and shake can mentally tire your dog while strengthening your bond.
Indoor Games
Your living room can become a playground with simple games such as hide and seek, hallway fetch, tug with rules or hiding treats around the house for your dog to find.
Rotate Toys
Rather than leaving every toy out, rotate them every few days. Familiar toys suddenly become exciting again, helping prevent boredom without buying anything new.
Stick to a Routine
Dogs thrive on routine, even when the weather changes.
Keeping meal times, toilet breaks, enrichment sessions and bedtime consistent helps your dog feel secure and reduces frustration.
Instead of one long walk, try spreading activity throughout the day with several shorter sessions. A puzzle feeder at breakfast, a quick training session after lunch and an evening sniffing game can all help keep your dog mentally satisfied.
Socialisation Still Matters
Exercise is not the only thing dogs miss during winter. If regular trips to the park stop because of the weather, your dog also loses valuable opportunities to socialise and experience different environments such as pet shops or pet friendly markets.
This is especially important for puppies, but adult dogs also benefit from appropriate interaction with compatible friends.
Where Doggy Daycare Fits In
Some days, the weather simply is not suitable for outdoor adventures.
Instead of missing another walk, our doggy daycare in Perth gives your dog the opportunity to stay active in a safe, supervised environment.
At FurBaby Doggy Daycare, our climate-controlled indoor facility allows small dogs to enjoy structured play, enrichment activities, mental stimulation and plenty of rest throughout the day, regardless of the weather outside.
Rather than encouraging dogs to run non-stop, we focus on balanced, structured socialisation with suitable playmates, enrichment activities and scheduled downtime. This helps dogs head home relaxed, fulfilled and pleasantly tired. If you are unsure how often your dog should go to daycare, our guide can help you find the right balance.
For many families, daycare becomes the perfect solution on those particularly cold or wet Perth days when outdoor exercise just is not practical. If you are still weighing up your options, our guide on how to choose the right doggy daycare walks through exactly what to look for.
Winter Health Tips
Winter also brings a few extra things to keep in mind.
Keep Them Warm
Many toy breeds and short-coated dogs benefit from wearing a properly fitted dog coat during chilly morning or evening walks. Just remember to brush underneath it regularly, as coats can cause tangles if worn over an unbrushed coat.
Dry Wet Coats
If your dog gets caught in the rain, dry them thoroughly afterwards, paying particular attention to their paws, ears and belly where moisture can linger.
Care for Their Paws
Wet footpaths and muddy parks can irritate paw pads. Check them regularly after walks for cracks, redness or debris.
Look After Older Dogs
Senior dogs often feel the cold more than younger dogs and may become a little stiffer during winter. Shorter walks combined with indoor enrichment are often more comfortable for ageing joints.
Keep Up with Grooming
Regular grooming remains important throughout winter. A clean, well-maintained coat provides better insulation than one that has become matted or tangled, while also helping keep your dog’s skin healthy.
Enjoy Winter Together
Winter doesn’t have to mean months of boredom for your dog. A combination of enrichment at home, short training sessions, indoor games and regular social opportunities can make the season just as enjoyable as any other time of year.
If your pup is becoming restless after too many rainy days, daycare can provide the perfect balance of exercise, enrichment and social interaction while giving you peace of mind.
At FurBaby Doggy Daycare, we specialise in caring for small dogs in a safe, welcoming environment. Conveniently located for families in Westminster, Balcatta, Osborne Park and across Perth’s northern suburbs, we are passionate about helping dogs stay active and happy no matter the weather.
If your dog hasn’t visited us before, we’d love to welcome them for a trial day. It is the perfect opportunity for them to experience our indoor, climate-controlled daycare, make new friends and discover just how much fun winter can be. You can also read what their first day looks like before you book.
Frequently asked questions
How do I keep my dog active in winter?
Combine short indoor activities with mental enrichment. Puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, five to ten minute training sessions, indoor games like hide and seek, and rotating toys all help. On days when the weather makes walks impractical, supervised daycare gives dogs indoor exercise and social time.
Do small dogs need a coat in a Perth winter?
Many toy breeds and short-coated dogs are more comfortable in a properly fitted coat on cold, wet morning or evening walks, because smaller dogs lose body heat more quickly. Brush underneath the coat regularly so it does not cause tangles.
Is doggy daycare a good option in winter?
Yes. An indoor, climate-controlled daycare lets dogs stay active, socialise and burn off energy regardless of the weather. It is a practical alternative on days when walks and park visits are cancelled by rain.
How do I stop my dog getting bored in winter?
Boredom usually shows up as barking, chewing or restlessness when exercise drops off. Keep a consistent daily routine, split activity into several shorter sessions, and prioritise mental enrichment, which tires dogs out as effectively as physical exercise
Should I still groom my dog in winter?
Yes. A clean, well-brushed coat insulates far better than a matted or tangled one, and regular grooming helps keep your dog’s skin healthy through the wetter months.
