Baby, it’s cold outside.

As the temperature drops and the walks get colder, wetter, shorter… your dog doesn't need less stimulation. They need *more* of it. 

Mental stimulation is exhausting for dogs in the best possible way. But winter doesn't have to mean a bored, chaotic dog and a fraying sense of sanity on your end. Some of the best enrichment your dog will ever get doesn't require you to leave the house or do literally anything impressive. 

Here's what we *actually* do and recommend when it's too cold, wet, or frankly too depressing outside to leave the house. 

If you don't have a lick mat yet, winter is your sign to make meal times more engaging.

• TIP! Mix up one of Norm freakshakes with water like normal, pour it over the lick mat and stick it in the freezer. Problem solved!

Snuffle-time!

Snuffling is a great way to give your dog an indoor version of a sniff walk, by hiding treats or other interesting-smelling items in either a snuffle mat or a DIY equivalent. 

• TIP! Try a muffin pan or egg carton with treats, toys and balled up paper in the cups, or a towel rolled up with treats between the layers for them to sniff out.

Stair or hallway intervals (this one's for the high-energy dogs).

Not the most sophisticated enrichment idea we've ever had, but hey it works, it costs nothing and it requires approximately zero creativity on your part. 

• TIP! If you want to include Norm in this, mix a serving of freakshake with oat flour and water, roll into small pieces and bake. Cool, then toss.

Serve it warm instead.

This one is less enrichment and more just a cute cosy vibe, but we’re here for it. Our new-ish Mushroom Tea Topper is perfect served as a warm drink at the end of a big day of looking wistfully out the window at the rain.

• TIP! Mix it into warm water and serve it in a bowl like a little dog soup. Lion's Mane mushroom has legitimate cognitive support benefits, which honestly we could all use a bit of during the darker months.

You don't need to do all of this. Try the lick mat thing or hide some Crack Topper under a cushion and watch what happens. Small things done consistently add up to a dog who feels good, even when the weather doesn't cooperate. 

There's something about finding joy in small things with your pet during the bleaker months. We reckon they're onto something…