[doji]

Of all the things we do with our dogs, the game they seem to like the best is "Find It!". This is like canine hide and seek. We execute it like this: We set the dogs up in a room on sit/stays. If your dog does not know this command, or is not solid on it, use a helper to hold the dog out of site. Grab a favorite toy, a stuffed toy works great because it can capture and hold your scent best, but anything will work, such as a tennis ball or kong toy. If your dog is of the sporting group or a mix thereof, the scenting part will come naturally. If not, still give this a try, its a great mental workout, and most dogs will love it, not only for the challenge, but for the interaction with you.

Rub your hands over the toy well and then place the toy in front of the dog’s nose so they know what they are looking for. If the dog licks or bites the toy, that is even better, because his own scent will be on it as well as yours. Leave the dog out of site and place the toy in an obvious location in another room. To start out, be obvious so success will follow. Return to your dog, place your hands in front of his nose and say, "Find It!" in an energetic, fun voice. Some dogs will understand immediately how the game is played. They will hunt down the toy and either bring it to you or at the very least grab it and "celebrate it". This is where you make a big deal by lots of verbal praise, whooping and hollering!

For the dog who is confused lead him into the room where you have placed the toy and repeat the command. Watch him and give him a chance, if he is still confused in a few seconds show it to him and repeat the command. When he grabs it, give lots of verbal praise. Repeat the game and the dog will catch on.

This is a fantastic bad weather day activity to burn off energy. But it is a great outside game too. Use the same method, we sit/stay in the garage and hide in the yard, under bushes or in the seats of the patio furniture, etc.

Remember to increase the difficulty of the game. You will be astounded at your dog's progression.

Ways to increase mental work besides increasing the difficulty are to teach the dog the command for "drop". When he finds the toy, hold out your hand and say drop. Some will get it right away, make sure to praise. For those who don't, pry apart the jaw and repeat the command. When the toy is released, use lots of verbal praise and go immediately into another round of play. For the dog who wants you to chase him with the toy, totally ignore it. Turn your back and walk away unconcerned, this will extinguish the undesired behavior when repeated enough. You can also teach a command for returning back to the designated sit/stay position also. Use a phrase like, "Get Ready!" or "Line Up". If repeated consistently, they will catch on.

This is a great bonding game, which you know I love, building the companionship between you and your dog. It also fulfills the mental and physical needs our dogs have that come from generations of working for humans. Try it today!!

[gblack]

My family and I play hide and seek with our dog all of the time! She loves it! We play a little differently though..

Our dog has figured out to open unlocked doors, so we throw the ball as far into the backyard as we can, shut the door, and run and hide inside the house as fast as we can. Our house has three floors and everyone splits up on different floors and different rooms. Within thirty seconds she has opened the backdoor and is running around trying to find us. It is amazing how fast she finds us! It is must faster than I could do myself. Just sharing my experiences Thanks for the post.

[MoJosMomma]

This sounds like an awesome game, wonder if my pup would get it? Lol guess I will just have to try it out, and see what she thinks of it

[LabMan2]

Originally Posted by doji

Of all the things we do with our dogs, the game they seem to like the best is "Find It!". This is like canine hide and seek. We execute it like this: We set the dogs up in a room on sit/stays. If your dog does not know this command, or is not solid on it, use a helper to hold the dog out of site. Grab a favorite toy, a stuffed toy works great because it can capture and hold your scent best, but anything will work, such as a tennis ball or kong toy. If your dog is of the sporting group or a mix thereof, the scenting part will come naturally. If not, still give this a try, its a great mental workout, and most dogs will love it, not only for the challenge, but for the interaction with you.

Rub your hands over the toy well and then place the toy in front of the dog’s nose so they know what they are looking for. If the dog licks or bites the toy, that is even better, because his own scent will be on it as well as yours. Leave the dog out of site and place the toy in an obvious location in another room. To start out, be obvious so success will follow. Return to your dog, place your hands in front of his nose and say, "Find It!" in an energetic, fun voice. Some dogs will understand immediately how the game is played. They will hunt down the toy and either bring it to you or at the very least grab it and "celebrate it". This is where you make a big deal by lots of verbal praise, whooping and hollering!

For the dog who is confused lead him into the room where you have placed the toy and repeat the command. Watch him and give him a chance, if he is still confused in a few seconds show it to him and repeat the command. When he grabs it, give lots of verbal praise. Repeat the game and the dog will catch on.

This is a fantastic bad weather day activity to burn off energy. But it is a great outside game too. Use the same method, we sit/stay in the garage and hide in the yard, under bushes or in the seats of the patio furniture, etc.

Remember to increase the difficulty of the game. You will be astounded at your dog's progression.

Ways to increase mental work besides increasing the difficulty are to teach the dog the command for "drop". When he finds the toy, hold out your hand and say drop. Some will get it right away, make sure to praise. For those who don't, pry apart the jaw and repeat the command. When the toy is released, use lots of verbal praise and go immediately into another round of play. For the dog who wants you to chase him with the toy, totally ignore it. Turn your back and walk away unconcerned, this will extinguish the undesired behavior when repeated enough. You can also teach a command for returning back to the designated sit/stay position also. Use a phrase like, "Get Ready!" or "Line Up". If repeated consistently, they will catch on.

This is a great bonding game, which you know I love, building the companionship between you and your dog. It also fulfills the mental and physical needs our dogs have that come from generations of working for humans. Try it today!!

My dogs absolutely love to play this game as well. We like to hide tennis balls under the coffee table or under the chairs, and then say "Where did the ball go?!" and they run around like crazy sniffing around until they find them. It's a blast. Thanks for bringing this up.