Winter Got Your Dog Acting Weird? Here’s What to Do

When winter rolls in, everything shifts—the light, the temperature, our routines… and yes, our dogs.

Maybe your usually eager greeter suddenly pauses at the door, staring at the icy sidewalk like, “Absolutely not.” Maybe your independent dog has turned into your all-day shadow the moment the sun disappears at 4:30 p.m. Or maybe—after a day of short walks and long naps—they blast into late-night zoomies like they’ve been storing energy for hours.

Sound familiar? You’re definitely not alone.

Dogs feel seasonal changes as we do—they just express it through behavior instead of words.

Shorter days, colder walks, less stimulation, more indoor time, and holiday disruptions can all influence your dog’s mood, energy, and general sense of balance.

But don’t worry. Nothing is “wrong” with your pup.

Winter simply asks more of them… and there are plenty of ways you can make the season easier! Let’s break down what’s really going on, and the six habits that can help your dog feel calmer, happier, and more regulated all winter long.

TL;DR—Common Winter Dog Behaviors

• Increased clinginess or following you around

• More naps + slower wake-up routine

• Restlessness, pacing, or low-grade agitation

• Reduced interest in outdoor walks in the cold

• More chewing, shredding, or attention-seeking

• Evening bursts of energy or zoomies

Why Dogs Act Differently in Winter (and What It Looks Like)

While “seasonal depression” is a human term, research shows that daylight, activity levels, and sensory stimulation all play major roles in shaping mammalian behavior—dogs included [1–5].

When winter hits, all three change at the same time. Here’s how the season disrupts your dog’s regular routine—and the behaviors you may be noticing.

1. Shorter Days Change Their Rhythm

Dogs, like all mammals, rely on light cues to help regulate their internal clock—including sleep-wake cycles, alertness, and daily energy patterns [1,2]. When mornings are dark, and sunsets arrive early, those cues shift. This can make dogs slower to start the day, more interested in napping, and more likely to stay close to you for comfort and predictability.

As daylight shrinks, many pups show less enthusiasm for long walks and gravitate toward calmer, quieter routines.

2. Less Outdoor Time = More Pent-Up Energy

Cold weather naturally shortens walks, reduces park visits, and limits a dog’s ability to run, play, and explore. With fewer chances to burn energy throughout the day, dogs often become restless indoors. That can look like pacing, extra barking, attention-seeking, or those classic evening zoomies that come out of nowhere.

This isn’t misbehavior—it’s energy with nowhere to go. Winter changes their physical outlet, so their body finds new ways to release that pent-up excitement inside the home.

3. Fewer Sniffing Opportunities

Sniffing activates regions of the brain tied to confidence, curiosity, and emotional regulation—which is why scent exploration plays such a big role in a dog’s sense of well-being [3,4]. But winter reduces scent variety, outdoor time, and opportunities for dogs to “read the world” through their nose.

When dogs can’t explore with their senses, they often act bored, clingy, or extra alert. Some follow you room to room; others beg for more outings. It’s simply their brain asking for stimulation they’re not getting outdoors this time of year.

How Different Dogs Show It

Winter affects every dog differently:

• Small dogs: reluctant to go outside, shivering, burrowing under blankets

• High-energy breeds: pacing, toy destruction, hyperactivity

• Working breeds: “job-hunting” behaviors (patrolling, herding, carrying objects)

• Seniors: shorter walks, slower movement, more naps

• Puppies: extra chaos + more attention-seeking due to less outdoor play

No matter your dog’s age or personality, winter shifts are normal. Luckily, helping them feel more grounded doesn’t require a major lifestyle overhaul.

6 Ways to Support Your Dog’s Mood, Energy & Routine This Winter

Short days, cold walks, long indoor stretches—winter can shake up any dog’s routine. These six research-backed habits can make the winter season smoother for your pup:

1. Use Short “Burst Sessions” to Release Energy Indoors

Winter can make full walks tricky, but your dog can still get the movement and stimulation they crave. Just one or two 5–10 minute activity bursts can make your pup feel calmer and more content indoors. Environmental enrichment supports mental engagement and helps reduce boredom-driven behaviors in dogs [5].

Try This:

• Hallway fetch: A narrow space gives your dog a safe, controlled runway to burn quick bursts of energy.

• Hide-and-seek with treats: Hiding tasty treats encourages natural searching behavior and boosts confidence.

• “Find it” scent games: Toss or place a treat nearby and let your dog sniff it out to satisfy mental stimulation needs.

• Target training (“touch” → treat): Teaching your dog to touch your hand redirects energy into focused, rewarding work.

• DIY agility: Use pillows or a broomstick to create simple jumps or obstacles for quick indoor exercise.

• Snuffle mats or puzzle feeders: Nose-work toys slow your dog down and tire them out through scent-driven problem-solving.

Dog-Type Tips:

• High-energy dogs: 2–3 bursts daily help reduce restlessness.

• Small dogs: shorter sessions with more sniffing.

• Puppies: brief mental games keep them satisfied.

2. Keep Walks Consistent (Even If They’re Short)

Winter makes it tempting to skip walks altogether (we get it—it’s freezing). But even the shortest outings help your dog stay emotionally balanced. A predictable walk routine gives them structure when everything else feels darker, colder, and a little chaotic.

Try This:

• Two mini-walks: Splitting their outdoor time keeps them moving without braving long, freezing stretches. 

• Quick morning loop: Even a few minutes of daylight (yes, even cloudy daylight) helps support your dog’s daily rhythm [1,2].

• Sniff-friendly evening walk: Let them wander and sniff; it’s mentally soothing and doesn’t require going too far.

Why it works:
Light cues help regulate circadian timing in mammals [1,2]—so keeping a winter walk routine, even a small one, goes a long way. It’s not about distance; it’s about consistency.

3. Rotate Toys to Keep Things Feeling “New”

Much like kids, dogs lose interest when the same toys sit out every day. Rotating what’s available brings back excitement—no extra shopping required.

Try This:

• Put away 3–4 toys: A short “toy break” keeps things from feeling stale.

• Reintroduce them next week: Your dog will treat them like brand-new toys.

• Freeze a stuffed toy: Add pumpkin, banana, or broth-soaked kibble for 20 minutes of quiet, calming enrichment.

Dog-Type Tip:
Working breeds especially enjoy puzzle-style toys or frozen stuffables that give them a “job” on indoor-heavy winter days.

4. Add More Sniffing Opportunities (Indoors or Out)

Winter walks may be shorter, but your dog’s nose still needs a job. Sniffing helps them release stress, explore their world, and feel mentally satisfied—especially when daylight and outdoor time are limited.

Try This:

• 2–3 minutes of sniffing per walk: A quick scent break boosts sensory satisfaction.

• Hide treats indoors: Let your dog use their nose to search and explore.

• Praise each discovery: Encouragement makes the game more engaging and rewarding.

Science Spotlight:
Olfactory work lights up your dog’s brain in ways that support emotional regulation and mental engagement [3,4].

5. Support Their Daily Nutrition (Especially With Less Sunlight)

Short days and reduced outdoor activity can shift your dog’s usual patterns. A multivitamin can help support them through seasonal changes:

• Energy metabolism*

• Immune function*

• Skin & coat health*

• Everyday wellness*

Winter Wellness Sidekick: Daily Multivitamin

Includes essential nutrients such as:

• Vitamins A, C, D, E

• Full-spectrum B vitamins

• Zinc & biotin

• Cod liver oil

• Omega fatty acids

6. Create Calm, Cozy Evenings

Winter evenings can feel extra chaotic—early sunsets, more time indoors, holiday noise, and less physical play all make unwinding more complicated for dogs.

Try This:

• Lower the lights: Soft lighting signals the day is slowing down.

• Play gentle background music: Helps your dog relax and feel secure.

• Set up a cozy “den spot”: A warm, comfortable area encourages settling.

• Offer a safe chew: Chewing naturally helps dogs decompress.

• Add a quick sniff activity: A short nose-work task before bed releases lingering energy.

Calm Companion for Winter Nights: Calming Support

Made with gentle, research-backed ingredients that help promote relaxation and support normal emotional balance:

• L-theanine*

• Chamomile*

• Valerian root*

• Passionflower*

• Hemp seed oil*

Winter Feels Better With a Little Extra Support

Cold weather brings changes, but your pup looks to you to make things feel steady and safe.
A few indoor activities, a calm nightly routine, and daily nutritional support can help your dog stay balanced, confident, and content through the coldest months.

Use code BLOG10 at checkout for 10% off your first PupGrade order!

Made in the USA | GMP Certified | 3rd-Party Tested | Driven By Love

This information is intended for general purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet or health routine, especially if you notice persistent or concerning changes in your dog's movement or behavior.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

Resources: 

1. Sanchez REA, Kalume F, de la Iglesia HO. Sleep timing and the circadian clock in mammals: Past, present and the road ahead. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2022 Jun;126:3-14. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.05.034. Epub 2021 Jun 4. PMID: 34092510; PMCID: PMC8800593. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8800593/ 

2. Dauchy RT, Hanifin JP, Brainard GC, Blask DE. Light: An Extrinsic Factor Influencing Animal-based Research. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2024 Mar 1;63(2):116-147. doi: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-23-000089. Epub 2024 Jan 11. PMID: 38211974; PMCID: PMC11022951. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11022951/ 

3. Päivi Berg, Tapio Mappes, Miiamaaria V. Kujala, Olfaction in the canine cognitive and emotional processes: From behavioral and neural viewpoints to measurement possibilities, Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, Volume 157, 2024, 105527, ISSN 0149-7634, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105527. 

4. Kokocińska-Kusiak A, Woszczyło M, Zybala M, Maciocha J, Barłowska K, Dzięcioł M. Canine Olfaction: Physiology, Behavior, and Possibilities for Practical Applications. Animals (Basel). 2021 Aug 21;11(8):2463. doi: 10.3390/ani11082463. PMID: 34438920; PMCID: PMC8388720. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8388720/

5. Hunt RL, Whiteside H, Prankel S. Effects of Environmental Enrichment on Dog Behaviour: Pilot Study. Animals (Basel). 2022 Jan 7;12(2):141. doi: 10.3390/ani12020141. PMID: 35049764; PMCID: PMC8772568. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8772568/