🐾 How to Keep Your Dog Happy as the Nights Draw In

As the clocks go back and the evenings draw in, Hampshire takes on that magical autumn glow — the smell of woodsmoke, the crunch of leaves underfoot, and the soft light that makes every walk feel like a postcard.

For us, it’s a lovely excuse for big mugs of tea and cosy jumpers. For our dogs, though, shorter days and fewer daylight walks can sometimes mean pent-up energy and a bit of frustration. But with a few simple tweaks, you can make this time of year deeply rewarding for both of you.

Here’s how to keep your dog’s tail wagging — even when it’s pitch-black by five.

🌿 1. Bring the Outside In

If you’ve not discovered Free Work yet, autumn is the perfect time to start. Developed by Sarah Fisher, it’s all about giving dogs the chance to explore different textures, surfaces and smells at their own pace — calmly, and without any pressure to perform.

If you have one or two snufflemats and lickimats, then you're all set up already. But you don’t need to buy anything fancy. You can fill a plastic tub with those single socks we all have lurking in a drawer and hide a few treats among them, or use any wipeable textured surface — the writing on a Tupperware lid, or even a rubber car mat — as a DIY lickimat.

Add a few different textures underfoot, like a towel or a bathmat, just so it feels varied and interesting. Snuffle mats and lickimats work beautifully when placed at different heights (around the height of your dog’s front legs) because that helps with posture.

Avoid noisy or frustrating items like cardboard boxes or dog puzzles; if your dog ends up pawing or chewing at it, it’s too difficult and loses its calming quality. Free Work should always feel peaceful. Include a crunchy treat such as a rabbit ear, and always have a bowl of water available as part of the setup. Then simply let your dog explore.

It doesn’t have to be all about food, either. One of Mango’s favourite “stations” is a simple wooden box filled with foliage I collect on our walks — bracken, leaves, and the odd stick or two. I freshen it up each time we go out, and he loves nothing more than pushing his nose through it all, taking in the scent of the outside world. You can do the same with a handful of natural materials, or even add a worn T-shirt of yours, or a hessian sack with a small amount of clean animal bedding inside, to create new and interesting smells.

The beauty of Free Work is that there’s no outcome attached — it isn’t about getting something “right.” It’s about offering your dog the space to be curious, to investigate, to sniff and lick in their own time. Sniffing and licking are both deeply calming behaviours that help regulate the nervous system and provide gentle brain work.

Free Work can be incredibly grounding for sensitive or high-energy dogs, or those who need help decompressing after walks or busy days. It’s a chance for them to simply be — to engage with the world on their own terms, with no expectations from us.

It’s also ideal for:

• 🐶 Puppies – builds confidence, coordination and body awareness in a safe, pressure-free way.

• 🐾 Older dogs – gentle on joints and a lovely way to keep them mentally active without physical strain.

• ❤️ Dogs recovering from surgery or illness – encourages calm exploration and movement without overexertion.

  
  

🎓 2. Learn Something New Together

Autumn is also a great time for trick training or brushing up on your recall and loose-lead skills.A few five-minute sessions a day can work wonders for mental stimulation.

Try teaching:

• Nose-touch (great for focus)

• Paw target (builds confidence)

• Spin or middle (fun, easy movement tricks)

The key is to keep it light-hearted and full of choice. Clicker training works beautifully here — it’s quick, clear, and hugely rewarding for both of you.

If you prefer some guidance, Hampshire has plenty of IMDT-qualified, force-free trainers who offer one-to-one sessions or small classes indoors. You can find some of our favourites on the Mutterly Hampshire Directory.

🦴 3. Make Mealtimes Enriching

Turn dinner into a game. Instead of feeding from a bowl, try scatter feeding on a snuffle mat or using puzzle feeders (but as above, if your dog is pawing or chewing at a puzzle feeder, that means it's too difficult and frustrating). You can even DIY it: a muffin tin, a few tennis balls, and some of your dog’s dinner hidden underneath.

For raw feeders, frozen enrichment toys work brilliantly too — just stuff them with mince, bone broth and veg, then freeze overnight.

These small changes don’t just relieve boredom; they build confidence and encourage natural foraging behaviour.

🕯️ 4. Create Calm Evenings

After a busy day, dogs still need help unwinding. Dim the lights, pop on a calming playlist (Spotify has some brilliant “relaxing dog” options), and offer a long-lasting chew.

Mango’s current favourites are venison hide and antlers — but whatever your dog enjoys, supervise and make it part of a predictable bedtime routine. A gentle grooming session or short massage before bed can also help body-sensitive dogs relax, especially if they struggle with handling.

If your dog finds the evenings tricky, consider diffusers such as Adaptil or Pet Remedy, or consult a behaviourist for a personalised plan.

💡 5. Stay Safe in the Dark

It goes without saying that visibility matters. A reflective collar, harness and LED light make all the difference on those late-afternoon walks.

Some of Hampshire’s larger parks, like Hogmoor Inclosure, Alice Holt, and Queen Elizabeth Country Park, have good visibility paths for early evening strolls. You can also explore local secure fields if you’d prefer a fully enclosed space after dark.

🌙 A Season for Slowing Down

As autumn deepens, try to see the darker months as a chance to reconnect — to notice the little things your dog loves. The smell of damp leaves, the comfort of a favourite blanket, that blissful sigh when they finally curl up after a busy day of sniffing and chewing.

It’s a time for slowing down, finding rhythm, and enjoying those quiet, cosy evenings together.

Explore more ideas — from Hampshire trainers to dog-friendly cafés — in our Mutterly Hampshire directory