Winter is approaching, and for some that means staying inside the house, wrapped up under a blanket. But not everyone enjoys sitting still during the winter. This mainly includes dogs. Here are activities in Dubuque for your dog to enjoy, as well as, activities that you can do with your dog in your home.

Pictures with Santa is a holiday tradition of many. PetSmart takes photos with Santa and your pet for free. This will be done on December 21 and 22 from 12-4 pm.

While the weather may be too chilly to take your dog to a dog park, Five Flags Center holds an event where pet owners can bring their dogs in to experience an indoor dog park. Five Flags named this event Wags at the Flags and it is held almost every Wednesday from 4:30 – 8:00 pm from November to March. The same rules apply to this dog park as the others in Dubuque. The cost for this event is $4 per dog and free for humans.

Robin MacFarlane, owner of That’s My Dog, encourages people to go outside and walk their dogs if possible during winter months. During these months, it is important to be aware of the temperatures and icy and salty conditions. If weather is decent, people can put coats and boots on their dogs to protect their paws from salt and ice.

MacFarlane also said there are many options to do with your dog indoors. One example is teaching your dog to use the treadmill. Other options include scent games that teach the dog to use their sense of smell to find hidden objects, such as toys or treats, placed around the home. Other indoor activities include brushing and grooming routines. This is a valuable way to spend quality time with your pet.