Find it: room search for dogs: how to play

Hide treats around a room while your dog waits, then send them to search. The next step after tossed Find it.

Time: 8 min
Energy: Medium
Space: A room

You'll need

8 to 10 small treats
a helper or a stay

Set up

Your dog knows tossed Find it. Choose one room. Have a helper hold your dog at the doorway, or close a baby gate.

How to play

Let your dog watch you place the first 3 treats in easy spots: on the floor by a table leg, on a low step, by a door.
Return, say "Find it" and let your dog go. Cheer each find.
Next round, hide treats while your dog can't see, still at nose height.
Add a few harder spots: under the edge of a rug, on a low chair seat, behind a cushion.
If your dog gets stuck, walk toward the area and point. Help is fine.
Finish with "All done" once every treat is found.

House rules

Count the treats you hide so you know when the game is over.
Never hide food anywhere your dog isn't allowed to go.

Make it easier: Hide fewer treats in plain view, all on the floor.
Make it harder: Hide at different heights, in a second room, or with one treat in a closed box your dog must nudge open.

Signs it's having fun

Purposeful zig-zag searching, sniffing up along furniture, bright eyes on each find.

Stop if you see

Your dog keeps coming back to stare at you, chews furniture to get at a hide, or shows lip licking, yawning, whale eye (whites of the eyes showing), tucked tail, freezing or turning away.

Safety

Keep hides away from bins, cables and houseplants.
Don't hide on high furniture that invites jumping down.

Sources

Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.

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