Maintaining Your Dog’s Fitness Indoors

Keeping your dog fit and healthy is essential year-round, but when winter rolls around and the dark, cold evenings make long walks less appealing (or even impossible), it can be tricky to find ways to keep your dog active. However, maintaining your dog’s fitness indoors doesn’t have to be difficult, and you don’t need loads of space or fancy equipment to do it. Over the years, I’ve learned a few tried-and-tested tricks for keeping my dogs in shape during the winter months.

With four dogs in the house, from my energetic Spaniel, Mungo, to my tiny Pomchi, Emba, I’ve had to get creative. Mungo, especially, needs physical outlets for all his energy—otherwise, he’ll find his own mischief! On days when the weather’s too grim or it’s dark by the time we’re free, I turn to indoor fitness activities to keep everyone engaged and active. Here are some of my favourite ways to maintain your dog’s fitness indoors, even when outdoor time is limited.

1. Indoor Agility: Turning Your Living Room into a Playground

If you’ve got a bit of space, why not turn part of your home into an agility course? It’s easier than you think, and I’ve found that it’s a brilliant way to work out both body and mind. When my girls were younger, they used to love setting up makeshift agility courses for Bear, our Jack Russell at the time. They would use cushions as obstacles, chairs as tunnels, and broomsticks balanced on books as jumps. It became a regular evening activity, and Bear absolutely loved it!

You can create a mini agility course with items you already have at home. Use broomsticks for jumps, set up cushions or chairs for weaving, or even use a hallway as a straight run for your dog. It’s a fantastic way to burn off energy and strengthen muscles that your dog would usually work out on walks. Mungo, my Spaniel, gets so excited when he sees a new obstacle, and even a few minutes of indoor agility tires him out.

However, it’s important to remember that running and jumping isn’t suitable for all dogs. If you have a young puppy, an older dog, or a dog with physical restrictions, these types of high-impact activities can put unnecessary strain on their growing or aging joints. And be mindful of slippery floors! Running on wood, tile, or other smooth surfaces can cause your dog to slip, which can lead to injuries, especially during high-energy activities. If you’ve got wooden floors, try placing rugs or mats down to provide traction, or opt for gentler exercises to keep them safe.

2. Stair Workouts: A Quick Way to Burn Energy

If your dog is healthy and fit enough, running up and down the stairs can be a great way to get in some extra cardio. When Siri, my Dalmatian, needs to burn off a bit of extra energy, I’ll throw a ball or toy up the stairs, and he’ll gleefully sprint up and down to retrieve it. It’s amazing how quickly a few rounds of this can tire him out!

Stair workouts are especially useful on days when time is short but you still want to give your dog a burst of physical activity. Just be mindful to watch for any signs of joint discomfort, particularly in older dogs, as stairs can be tough on their joints. If your dog is prone to joint issues, try keeping the game low-impact by encouraging them to walk rather than run, or keep the sessions short and sweet.

As with indoor agility, it’s important to be cautious of slippery surfaces. If your steps are smooth and don’t provide much traction, consider adding non-slip treads or a runner on your stairs to prevent your dog from slipping and hurting themselves during these workouts.

3. Core Strength with Balance Exercises

One thing that’s often overlooked in dog fitness is core strength. Just like with humans, a strong core helps with stability and overall physical health. You don’t need any fancy equipment to work on your dog’s core—something as simple as an unstable surface like a cushion or yoga mat can do the trick.

I remember starting balance exercises with Emba, my little Pomchi, by having her stand on a cushion while I asked her to sit or shake a paw. At first, she wobbled, but over time she got better at maintaining her balance, and you could tell it was a great workout for her little muscles. Siri and Mungo also benefit from this kind of exercise, as it helps them strengthen muscles they don’t use during their regular walks. These exercises are particularly useful during the winter when we’re not getting out as much.

4. Play Hide-and-Seek: A Fun Way to Keep Moving

Who doesn’t love a good game of hide-and-seek? This is one of my favourite indoor activities because it combines mental and physical exercise. It’s also a great way to work on recall training in a fun, interactive way. I started playing this game with Dexter, my Chihuahua, when he was younger, and it’s become a staple in our house.

To play, hide somewhere in your home and call your dog. When they find you, reward them with a treat or toy. Not only does this help improve their listening skills, but it also keeps them active as they run around the house trying to locate you. It’s a game that works for all ages and sizes of dogs, and even my senior dogs love it. It keeps them on their toes—well, paws!

5. Low-Impact Exercises for Older Dogs

For senior dogs or those with limited mobility, it’s important to find gentle ways to keep them fit and healthy without putting strain on their joints. Low-impact exercises like ‘sit to stand’ repetitions (similar to doggy squats) can help maintain muscle tone without the risks of more strenuous activity. When my old Jack Russell, Bear, started slowing down in his later years, we incorporated more gentle exercises like this to keep him strong without overdoing it.

Gentle stretching exercises can also help keep your dog limber, especially when outdoor walks are limited. I’ve found that even a bit of light movement can make a big difference in keeping joints flexible and preventing stiffness in older dogs. Emba, though young, benefits from these types of exercises too, as her little legs don’t always need the same high-impact activities that Mungo enjoys.

Bonus Tip: Take Advantage of Outdoor Areas

If you have access to a garden or driveway, and it’s safe to do so, you can still take your dog outside for short, controlled bursts of activity—even in the winter. I often take my dogs out in our garden or driveway, where we have a floodlight. It’s perfect for short games of fetch or tug, and it gives them a chance to stretch their legs without needing a full walk. Just make sure to put your dog’s safety first—if your garden isn’t secure or your driveway is near a road, use a long lead to keep them safe while they run around.

This works especially well for Siri and Mungo, who enjoy a bit of space to run and play but don’t need to go far to burn off energy. If it’s particularly cold or icy, we keep it short and move back inside for more gentle activities.

Keeping your dog fit and healthy indoors doesn’t have to be complicated. With a bit of creativity and some simple household items, you can create a range of activities that work both their minds and bodies. Whether it’s indoor agility, a stair workout, or a game of hide-and-seek, these activities have kept my own dogs happy, fit, and content through many winters. Remember, it’s not just about physical exercise—mental stimulation plays a huge role in keeping your dog balanced and calm when outdoor time is limited.

 Want to keep your dog fit and healthy all winter long? My Wags without Walks membership includes a variety of fitness games and activities to keep your dog in top shape, even indoors. And don’t forget to visit my freebies page for extra tips and ideas to keep your dog entertained and active, no matter the weather!

Let’s keep our dogs fit, healthy, and happy all season long!