To teach the Find It game, you'll need a supply of high-value treats and a piece of crumpled paper or a toy that you can hide the treats under. For treats, try cutting up tiny pieces of hot dog. Or break up a favorite larger delicacy into small pieces. Make the individual pieces quite small, since you will want to repeat the game a number of times.
Start the training before your dog has eaten, so he or she will be very interested in finding the treats.
To train Find It, get your dog's attention, then start training the game by hiding a small high-value treat under a piece of paper or a toy. Let him see you hide it, and even leave it partially in view the first time. Then say "find it!" in an excited voice. Encourage your dog until he or she finds the treat and gobbles it down.
If your dog doesn't get the idea, lift up the paper or toy, show him the treat, partially cover it again, and repeat "find it!" He or she should get the idea quickly. Be sure to keep your voice excited and your tone light and happy. It's important not to get frustrated, since this should be a fun game for both you and your dog. If he or she still doesn't the idea, try a higher value treat. Pieces of string cheese, steak, chicken, and even carrots are other options. It doesn't matter what you use, only that your dog likes it and it is reasonably healthy for him.
Hide a second treat and repeat the process. Be sure to cheer and act very excited every time he or she finds a treat.
Once he or she gets the idea, start making finding the hidden treat harder and harder. Start hiding treats under different objects, from different pieces of newspaper to other toys. Also begin to work on distance. Start placing the hidden treats two or three feet away from your dog, then four or five. After that, try having another family member distract your dog while you hide a treat. Continue increasing the difficulty level until you can hide treats for your dog to find in another room.
Teach a Find It! Treasure Hunt
Once your dog understands that the command Find It! means yummy treats and a fun search, you can use the game to keep him or her occupied for quite some time. Using the same process described above, teach your dog that Find It! means there may be more than one treat out there. Start by hiding two treats and work up from there.
Once he or she understands that Find It! means lots of treats, put your dog in a down stay or in his or her crate, and hide multiple treats. You can hide them anywhere you've taught your dog to search. Then send your dog off for an extended game with the Find It command.
Using Training for Solving Dog Problems
Whether you use games like Find It! to solve problems, or just keep a bored dog active and engaged on a day when the weather outside is lousy, you'll find that training and playing helps build a bond between you and your dog. Kids and dogs can have a great time playing Find It! once they've both learned the rules of the game. Games also help build confidence in an insecure dog, and helping a dog get in touch with using his or her sense of smell can work wonders. Find It! also can be an activity that helps with separation anxiety. Once your dog has learned the game, try putting him or her in a down stay and hiding as many treats as you like. Then just before you leave the house, give the Find It! command. The excitement of finding treats can distract your dog from the anxiety of your leaving the house. Above all, have fun playing Find It!
Barbara Ellis - A freelance writer, editor, and passionate lifelong gardener, Barbara is the author of a number of garden books, including Covering Ground ...
Join the Conversation