FIND THE COOKIE GAME

Dogs have a need for mental stimulation, as well as physical exercise. Bored dogs sometimes create their own diversions! This is a game that your dog will love. And you can do it inside, on rainy days!

There are two versions of the game - one you can use to strengthen your Wait or Stay command, and one you can do without any obedience training!

Easy version: Outside or inside, drop a treat where the dog can see it, and tell him to "Find it". Then progress to tossing the cookie where the dog cannot see it and will have to use his nose to find the cookie. Tell him "Find it" each time. 

Gradually increase the distance from dog to cookie. At first your dog will see the cookie, but will also learn to use his sense of smell to locate it. Some dogs catch on to this right away-- with those dogs you can make a little quicker progress. If your dog has trouble locating the cookie, go back to shorter distances. Try not to help the dog too much. Encouragement is fine, but you don't want the dog to become dependent on you. When your dog figures out how to find the cookie by himself he will be delighted and more self-confident.

Once your dog has caught onto the game outside, go out by yourself and scatter kibble, leftover cereal or other treats all over the yard. Then let your dog outside and tell him to "Find it". This really lets the dog use his foraging instincts! Lots of fun for the dogs and stimulates them mentally.

If you have a high-energy active dog, I advise letting him forage for his dinner in the yard instead of feeding from a bowl. This will use up some of his energy in a constructive way.

Obedience training version: Put the leash on. Show your dog a treat, but don't let the dog eat it yet. I teach my dogs to "Smell it". Tell your dog "Wait", and be ready to enforce it. Drop or throw the treat a short distance from the dog, but in sight. The dog must not get the treat until you say "Find the cookie". You do not need to use the release word, as you are giving another command (find) which gives the dog permission to get up.

If the dog gets up before you have told it to, you MUST NOT let the dog get the treat. Step on the leash if necessary. With some dogs it helps to have an "assistant" at first, who can grab the cookie away if necessary. Or you can fasten the leash to a doorknob, couch or other heavy object.

When your dog knows how to play the game you can make it more of a challenge by hiding the cookie in another room while the dog waits. But be sure the dog is steady on the Wait! Advanced cookie-finding: hide it under chairs, on windowsills, etc. If at any time the dog gives up before finding the cookie, you may have gone too far too fast. Try not to just point it out, you want the dog to find it on his own. Say, "Oh, you can't find that one?" And then hide another one in an easier spot and give lots of encouragement.

When the dog finds the cookie, time for cheering, and eating the cookie!

You can also play the game using a favorite toy instead of food.

If your dog does not understand the Wait or Stay command, teach it separately. 

Copyright © Pat Scott

Printable Article

Back to Pat's Articles