The Two Bowl Game: How to Keep Your Dog Active and Happy Indoors During Winter

The days are short and the nights are long and its cold, sometimes its hard to get out to give our dogs for the the exercise they need in the winter. The "two bowl" game is a great way to spend time and bond with your dog while giving them the exercise and mental stimulation they need to be happy and healthy.

Things you'll need to get started

Two food bowls a traffic cone or similar object, treat pouch and treats.

I like to use a harder treat for the two bowl game so it makes a distinct "clink" when it hits the bowl.

1. With you seated against a wall (legs crossed or in a chair, with the cone against your legs with no separation), have a food bowl on either side of you, start by dropping a treat in one bowl so your dog notices it.

2.  The second your dog puts their head in the bowl to eat the treat drop a treat in the opposite bowl and wait for them to go to that bowl.  The second they put their head in that bowl drop a treat in the other bowl.

3. Only after your dog has mastered anticipating the exchange of treats from one bowl to the other can you move the cone away one or two inches. (go slow)

4. If your dog goes between you and the cone just wait, remember this is about the dog thinking for themselves and solving the problem.  Just wait and see if they go back around the outside.

5. If they don’t recover reset the game by throwing a treat and say “Get-it” and start over.  If needed move the cone back.