So it's a cold, rainy, soggy, generally yucky day here in central Indiana. Molly, our 18 month old GSD has been cooped up for several days due to bad weather. We have had 4-5 OB training sessions a day, played tug, fetch in the house with OB worked in, lots of naps.......We are running out of constructive ways to engage her brain, and poop her out. My husband took her for a walk yesterday while it was pouring down rain.
She has a lot of energy, and I want to fulfill her needs as a working dog, but I am running out of ideas.
Thanks for any help you throw our way!

Rain and snow and generally yucky weather are part of the yearly seasonal changes. And the ironic thing is that the cooler temperatures tend to bring up the energy levels in our dogs, while our comfort level is more about the snuggly warmth of a dry home.

We pretty much stick to our regular routines and adjust only when the dogs are showing signs of being affected by the weather, heat or cold.

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Searching games drain a good amount of energy and a lot of people swear by treadmills.

"We pretty much stick to our regular routines and adjust only when the dogs are showing signs of being affected by the weather, heat or cold."

This is sound advice. It isn't so much that I don't like the inclement weather, it's more about yard preservation. I should find someone else's grass to ruin

Could you tell me more about your "regular routines"? What do they entail?

Thanks!

Weather like this makes me thankful that Vigo (my youngest GSD at 2.5 yo) is a bonafide bum. At 6 and 10, Kira and Grace are also comfortable with chilling out for a few days if the weather is downright dreary.

However...during the winter months, I tend to take agility and obedience classes with Vigo and Kira. I take classes October through mid-March and that helps keep us busy.

I also have an area cleared in my basement (12'x24')where I can do obedience and other fun stuff. For example,I'm working on teaching Vigo to go around a laundry basket to the left and to the right, then circle back to me.

I hear you and certainly didn’t mean to imply that you should be going out in weather that you're not comfortable with.

I've got a pair of carharts and just love them. The rain literally beads off them and talk about warm. We get some pretty nasty weather up here and there are days that aren’t fit for man nor beast to be out in. The boys seem to know those days too and don't want to be out for long. Much like Melissa's pups, they're now at an age where they will do a bit more chilling in those situations.

 Quote: christy mascari

Could you tell me more about your "regular routines"? What do they entail?

Sure. Our daily exercise routine starts early in the morning. I get a coffee down then we all head out into the yard (we’ve got an acre). I do a perimeter search, poop patrol and refresh the water supply out there (this time of year it's with a head lamp).

The boys are exploring and adding to the morning pick up. About 20 minutes to a 1/2 hour. I'll do a little obedience, just for the connection but not a lot of fetch or exciting toy playing.

During the weekdays we're heading to work so I don't want them all worked up.

While I'm getting their breakfast ready my husband does a quick two mile bike trip with the two younger ones. Again, fairly calm but it get's their legs stretched and a scenic tour around their environment.

Weekends, they're engaged with us pretty much all day. Any errands we're running, they're along and we generally go on a daily hike, about 3 hours, sometimes less, often longer, depending on the route we've chosen.

We also own 70 acres, which is really convenient for the bad days. We hike to a camper we have set up on the property, make a nice warm hot chocolate, while the boys check out the mouse situation and re-mark any territory that the coyotes may have crossed. Do some fetch down some steep banks and head back.

A very relaxing walk for us and really energy draining for the boys with the open space, canyons and searching areas.

Home for some relaxation or whatever we're doing. A bit of fun obedience and interaction before bed and they're good for the night.

Nothing special and things change up quite a bit depending on the season or things that may be happening but the parts I've mentioned are a routine they can pretty much count on everyday.

Thanks CJ-I'm always curious what other people do with their dogs. How great to have 70 acres.

Now I want some hot chocolate!

LOL, well there ya go.

Not sure what your situation is, urban or rural, but if you have a favorite coffee shop you can hike to, grab your hubby, take a walk and make that the destination. Two to go please.

I really like a little mint in my hot chocolate.

I have the luck of haveing 80 acres with half being wooded and an indoor arena for the bad days.

Walking to a coffee shop is pretty much a day hike here. We often drive to the pet store and from there go for a walk.

I also do agility, nosework and tracking with Harley on top of obedience work. Dexter really enjoy sleeping a bit too much to me.

 Quote: Ariane Gauthier

I. Dexter really enjoy sleeping a bit too much to me.

I look forward to those days!! Wow all that land and an indoor arena.....I'm sending my dog to visit your house!!!!

 Quote: christy mascari

So it's a cold, rainy, soggy, generally yucky day here in central Indiana. Molly, our 18 month old GSD has been cooped up for several days due to bad weather. We have had 4-5 OB training sessions a day, played tug, fetch in the house with OB worked in, lots of naps.......We are running out of constructive ways to engage her brain, and poop her out. My husband took her for a walk yesterday while it was pouring down rain.
She has a lot of energy, and I want to fulfill her needs as a working dog, but I am running out of ideas.
Thanks for any help you throw our way!

Do you marker-train "tricks"? Don't snicker at parlor tricks for indoor brain-work and fun upbeat training!

Scent work, too.

Don't forget heeling (hallway, basement, etc.).

Dogfishing is pretty much limited to unbreakable rooms, IMO, but it's fun if you have a place to do it.