Easy Peasy Search Game
WHAT?
When you say ‘find it’ your puppy searches for a treat or a toy with their nose
WHY?
• Great mental stimulation
• It’s a really good mental workout for your pup and an opportunity to problem-solve
• Engaging in a hunting game together to build your relationship
• Great boredom buster
• Great as a reward for recall or other behaviours
HOW?
➡️Step 1: Building a “find it”
• Firstly, you will need to ensure your puppy is comfortable with you resting your finger on their collar, to do this gently rest your finger on their collar, and THEN give them a treat
• Then set up a small triangle area on grass, you can you use cones or plant pots, stand 1 step away from the triangle with your puppy
• Lure your puppy onto one side of you, now rest your finger on your puppy’s collar while you throw a treat into the grass within the triangle with the other hand
• As soon as the treat lands let your puppy go straight after it as you say ‘Find it!’
• Now as you let them go and say “find it” also do a hand gesture at the same time in the direction of the triangle
• Your hand gesture will need to look like this
• Play the game in different locations each day but use the same set up of cones if possible
➡️Step 2:Increase the distance
• Set up the same format but ensure that you stand 1 extra step away from the triangle, this will ensure your puppy is moving further away to search for something
➡️Step 3: Transfer to walks
• Now do the same but on your walks, no setup necessary but you may need to start with your puppy closer to the search area
• Change the type of areas that you search
➡️Step 4: Make the search harder
• Now find a familiar search spot and throw a treat or toy into the grass without your puppy seeing it
• Say “find it” and direct your hand at the same time
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