Find the toy
Hide your dog's favorite toy and send them to sniff it out: a scent game that needs no food at all.
What you need
- Your pet's favorite toy
How to do it
- Show your dog their favorite toy and let them sniff it.
- Ask your dog to stay, or have someone hold them, while you put the toy in an obvious spot nearby.
- Say "Find it" and point at the toy. When your dog gets it, celebrate with a short game, praise or cuddles, whatever they love most.
- Once your dog catches on, hide the toy further away and out of sight, such as behind a piece of furniture or on top of a chair.
- Do a few finds and stop while your dog still wants more.
⚠️ Safety
Supervision: Watch the first few times.
Hide the toy only where your dog can reach it safely: not on shelves they would have to jump onto, near stairs, or behind furniture that could tip. Put the toy away if it starts to come apart.
👀 What to watch for
If your dog gives up or looks to you for help, go back to a spot where they can see the toy, so every round ends in a find.
Try next
Calm massage
Slow, gentle strokes from head to tail: a quiet way to bond with your dog at the end of the day.
Cavaletti poles at home
Low poles on the floor for your dog to step over: careful, controlled movement for a day indoors.
Digging pit with buried toys
A kiddie pool or sandbox of clean sand where digging is allowed, with toys buried for your dog to find.
Flirt pole chase
A lure on a rope at the end of a pole that your dog chases along the ground: lots of exercise in a few minutes.
Frozen stuffed toy
A rubber toy stuffed with part of your dog's meal and frozen. It takes much longer to empty and keeps your dog busy and calm.
Hide and seek with you
Your dog waits in one room while you hide, then finds you when you call. No food or equipment needed.