Happy on Rainy Days ⌇ My Dog's Nighttime Play

Since the rainy season began,
there have been more nights filled with the sound of rain.

My dog gazes blankly out the window,
or curls up lazily on the sofa.

Watching them like that,
I sometimes feel,
“They seem a little bored.”

They can't burn off energy on walks like on sunny days,
they can't meet their dog friends,
and they can't enjoy the scents of nature outside.

For us humans too,
the nights can feel a bit heavy.

But on days like that, I make it a priority
for both my dog and me
to stay in good spirits.

This time, I've put together some ways we spend our rainy nights at home 🌙

☔️ Things that tend to happen on rainy days

• Having excess energy due to lack of exercise

• Being more prone to stress than usual

• Tending to get bored from a lack of stimulation

Dogs live their lives receiving a wealth of stimulation
from the outside world through their excellent five senses.

The bustle of the walking path

The scent of greenery

The temperature of the wind

The feel of the soil under their paws

Walking is not just for exercise,
but an essential habit for stress care
and improving their quality of life.

When walking time decreases,
it might also mean that
the communication time
with their dog owner decreases as well.

It's not just about the “length” of the walk,
but the “density” of the time spent together
actually has a much greater impact on a dog's mind and body
than you might imagine.

🐶 “Happy Nighttime Play” you can do indoors

With a little ingenuity indoors,
while being mindful of the neighbors,
you can add both exercise and stimulation.

Play intensely for about 5 to 10 minutes,
then take a relaxing break.

The idea is to repeat this in moderation.

Instead of doing it while “doing something else”
like watching TV or looking at your phone,
please try to enjoy that time
fully with your dog.

✔️ A relaxing game of tug-of-war with a rope toy

Tug-of-war is a versatile game
that serves as light exercise
and also allows for communication.

Make contact with your dog,
and vary the tempo and the strength of your pulls.

When I let my dog win on purpose,
they have such a proud look on their face. lol

It's as if they're saying,
“Hey, you've stopped moving.”

Please be careful with how much force you use
so that you don't put too much strain on their neck.

Toys that are heavier than your dog's head
can cause issues with their cervical spine
due to that strain as they get older,
so it's best to avoid them.

✔️ Sniff-and-Seek Treasure Hunt

Hide their favorite treats
in a nose work mat or toy,
and play “Where is it?”

Change up where you hide the treats
every time.

Stimulating their sense of smell
relieves stress and provides plenty of satisfaction.

Using their five senses activates the brain,
which also leads to mental training.

If you don't have nose work gear,
hiding them inside paper cups works just as well ◎

As for the amount of treats,
be sure to keep it moderate by checking against their meal portions 🤭

✔️ Petting Time

Just slowly stroking them
along the direction of their fur
promotes blood circulation and has a relaxing effect ◎

The hair muscles just beneath the coat
are controlled by the autonomic nervous system,
not by the dog's own will.

If you pet them against the grain,
it stimulates their nerves and makes them prone to excitement,
so please be especially careful during nighttime play.

When I pet them gently,
my dog's expression softens,
and they just let it happen.

Sometimes, before I know it,
they're off to dreamland.

🌸 My Nighttime Routine as Well

Once we've enjoyed our playtime together,
I relax and unwind myself
while watching my dog's sleeping face.

Brewing my favorite herbal tea,
as the aroma spreads, the air and my mood soften,
and I feel all warm and fuzzy.

When a dog owner
is spending time calmly,
it deepens their dog's sense of security.

Please make sure to
take good care of yourself, too.

Spritzing some rosemary or chamomile herbal water in the room

makes even a damp night
feel just a little bit more comfortable.

☘️ Summary

On rainy days, walk times are reduced,
and both body and mind tend to feel gloomy.

But that's exactly when you should cherish
“the little joys you can have at home.”
Play, scents, and touch.

Things that seem trivial at first glance

become little switches
for my dog's and my own good mood.
I hope you, too,

enjoy your “rainy day nighttime play”
with your dog.

Thank you
for reading until the end 🌱

I would be happy if this article added a touch of comfort to the daily lives of dogs and HSP dog owners.

It would encourage me
if you could share your feelings with a “Like” 🐾

It would warm my heart
if we could connect again by you “Following” 🐶