It's cold, dark and the bed is oh-so comfy. Surely the dog doesn't need a walk every day.

Sound familiar?

Edmonton's annual six-month cold snap also known as winter sends many dogs and theirowners scurrying for the blankets and hanging up the leash.

PHOTOS: Edmonton AM goes to the dogs

Master dog trainerBev KerrofHound Sensesays lack of activity,during any season,can cause several problems in dogs, including:

Luckily, you can get Fido up and moving in the comfort of your own living room. Here are Kerr's top ten tipsto poop out your pooch during the colder months:

1.Tire your dog mentally:Teach her new things. Make her think through challenging games or puzzles. This can go further than even the most vigorous run or walk. Ten minutes is enough to tire out some dog for hours.

2.Practice obedience:Try new commands or practice old ones from a distance, using hand signals only.

3.Take up nose-work:Get a treat or your dog's favourite toy. Get him to sit and stay. Show him the treat/toy, place it a few feet away in clear sight. Command him to "find it" then praise when he gets it. After he gets the hang of it, place the treat/toy further away, then in a different room. Perfect to do inside while a blizzard flies.

4.Hide treats or toy in the snow:Do same activity as above, or throw a toy into a snowbank and have Rover dig it out.

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10 tips to keep your dog active this winter