Dog Activity Finder

1. Place a few pieces of your dog’s usual food on a clean, nonslip floor.
2. Let your dog explore at their own pace. Start with everything easy to see.
3. Finish after a few finds; leave the next round for later.

Keep it safe. Use part of the daily food allowance. Give dogs separate spaces for food games.

1. Lay a clean, intact towel flat and put a few food pieces on it.
2. Fold one edge loosely over a piece. Help by opening it if needed.
3. Remove the towel when the food is gone.

Keep it safe. Skip this if your dog chews or swallows fabric. Stay within reach throughout.

1. Show your dog a familiar toy and place it in plain sight.
2. Invite them to find it, then share a little play.
3. Try a new floor-level spot with part of the toy still visible.

Keep it safe. Keep hiding spots accessible. Avoid stairs, jumping, and cramped gaps.

1. Offer a relaxed open palm near your dog, without moving it into their face.
2. When their nose touches it, say “yes” and reward from your other hand.
3. Try a few easy repetitions, then take a break.

Keep it safe. Let your dog approach voluntarily. If they turn away, pause.

1. While your dog watches, step just behind an open doorway.
2. Call them once and celebrate their arrival with attention they enjoy.
3. Repeat nearby, keeping yourself easy to find.

Keep it safe. Keep exits secure. Stop if separation worries your dog; stay visible instead.

1. Offer two intact, appropriately sized dog toys on the floor.
2. Let your dog choose without prompting.
3. Play their preferred game briefly, then offer a break.

Keep it safe. Supervise toys and remove damaged ones. One dog at a time if toys cause tension.

1. Choose a food toy suited to your dog’s size and chewing habits.
2. Use familiar food, following the toy maker’s instructions. Keep it easy to reach.
3. Watch closely and help or end the game if your dog struggles.

Keep it safe. Inspect before and after use. Put it away if pieces break off or your dog chews the toy itself.

1. Place a short trail of food pieces on a clear, nonslip floor.
2. Space the pieces close enough for an easy first attempt.
3. Let your dog find the route without rushing them.

Keep it safe. Keep the route away from doorways, cables, and other pets. Count food toward meals.

1. Begin with a familiar, easy hand target.
2. Offer the other hand at the same comfortable height.
3. Reward a voluntary nose touch; alternate for only a few turns.

Keep it safe. Start with “A tiny nose boop” if the skill is new. Keep all four paws on the floor.

1. Offer a suitable tug toy while your dog stands on a nonslip surface.
2. Keep movements gentle and low. Let your dog win some rounds.
3. Pause often and restart only if they want more.

Keep it safe. Never lift or jerk your dog by the toy. Stop for teeth on skin, discomfort, or overexcitement.

1. Use a clean, shallow cardboard box with tape, staples, and labels removed.
2. Leave it open and place a few food pieces inside.
3. Let your dog investigate, then put the box away.

Keep it safe. Only for dogs who do not eat cardboard. Supervise closely; skip if they shred or swallow it.

1. Sit nearby and let your dog decide whether to approach.
2. Offer gentle attention only if they seek it; pause to check they want more.
3. Let them leave or rest whenever they choose.

Keep it safe. Rest matters. Never disturb a sleeping dog or insist on touch.

1. Place or toss one piece of your dog’s usual food close by where they can easily locate it.
2. Say “find it” once as they start searching, then let their nose do the work.
3. Repeat only a few times, keeping the first searches very easy.

Keep it safe. Use food from the normal daily allowance and give dogs separate spaces for food games.

1. Start with one sturdy cup and place a food piece underneath while your dog watches.
2. Lift the cup when your dog investigates it so they can reach the food.
3. When that is easy, add a second empty cup and keep the choice simple.

Keep it safe. Use sturdy, dog-safe cups and supervise closely. Skip this for dogs who crush or swallow household items.

1. Put a little of your dog’s usual food in a few muffin-tin cups.
2. Cover the cups with appropriately sized balls that cannot be swallowed.
3. Let your dog move the covers and search for the food at their own pace.

Keep it safe. Supervise the whole game. Use balls too large to swallow and stop if your dog chews the tin or cover pieces.

1. Set out a few clean, open cardboard boxes on the floor.
2. Place a food piece in one box while your dog is out of the immediate search area.
3. Bring your dog in and let them investigate until they find it.

Keep it safe. Remove tape, staples, plastic and loose labels. Skip boxes for dogs who shred and swallow cardboard.

1. Choose one familiar toy and let your dog see it before the search.
2. With your dog briefly out of the room, place the toy at floor level with part of it still easy to spot.
3. Invite your dog back to search, then play together when they find it.

Keep it safe. Keep the toy out of tight gaps, stairs and elevated hiding places. Make the search easier if your dog seems frustrated.

1. Use a wide, stable open box and one familiar toy your dog already likes to carry.
2. Encourage the toy toward the box and reward any easy progress with praise or another round of play.
3. Keep the session short and finish while the task still feels easy.

Keep it safe. Do not pull objects from your dog’s mouth. Skip this if toys or containers create guarding or tension.

1. Choose a clear, nonslip part of the room with plenty of turning space.
2. Walk a small, slow figure-eight path and invite your dog to follow with you.
3. Pause after one or two loops and let your dog choose whether to continue.

Keep it safe. Keep the route wide and slow. Skip tight turns, weaving or repeated movement if your dog seems uncomfortable.

1. Ask once for a familiar paw or high-five cue at a comfortable height.
2. Acknowledge the response with praise or attention your dog enjoys.
3. Pause, then try the other side only if your dog is comfortable doing so.

Keep it safe. Do not lift, hold or pull a paw into position. Stop if your dog withdraws or seems uncomfortable.

1. Begin a brief game with one suitable toy.
2. Offer a second toy and wait for your dog to choose it rather than taking the first toy away.
3. Restart play with the chosen toy and keep the switches easy.

Keep it safe. Never pry a toy from your dog’s mouth. Use separate spaces if toys create tension between dogs.

1. Lay a clean, intact towel flat and place a familiar toy on top.
2. Fold one towel edge loosely over part of the toy while your dog watches.
3. Let your dog uncover the toy, helping immediately if the setup is confusing.

Keep it safe. Skip this for dogs who chew or swallow fabric. Keep the toy partly visible for an easy first try.

1. Use a clean, shallow open box with tape, staples and loose labels removed.
2. Place a familiar toy inside where it is easy to see and reach.
3. Let your dog investigate and retrieve it, then put the box away.

Keep it safe. Skip cardboard for dogs who shred and swallow it. Use only toys that are intact and appropriately sized.

1. Fill a clean open cardboard box loosely with plain scrap paper.
2. Sprinkle a small amount of your dog’s usual food among the paper so the first finds are easy.
3. Let your dog sniff and move the paper while you stay close.

Keep it safe. Remove tape, staples and plastic first. Skip this if your dog eats paper or cardboard, and count the food toward meals.

1. Put away damaged toys and choose two or three safe familiar options that have been out of rotation.
2. Offer the small set and let your dog choose what to investigate.
3. Share a brief game with the chosen toy, then leave room for a break.

Keep it safe. Keep favorite comfort items available if your dog relies on them. One dog at a time if toys create tension.

1. Get your dog’s attention in a clear indoor space and take two or three slow steps away.
2. Pause and let your dog choose to come with you; acknowledge them when they do.
3. Change direction once or twice, keeping the game relaxed and brief.

Keep it safe. Use a nonslip surface and avoid sudden turns or chasing. Stop if your dog does not want to follow.

1. Stand a short distance apart in a quiet indoor space with your dog between you.
2. Take turns calling your dog once and rewarding the response with a small food piece.
3. Keep the distance short and end after a few successful turns.

Keep it safe. Use this only in a secure indoor space. Do not repeat the cue if your dog is confused; move closer and make the next turn easier.

1. Choose a few stable household items and arrange a clear walking path around them.
2. Walk the route slowly with your dog, using wide turns and keeping all four paws on the floor.
3. Remove an item or shorten the route if the setup feels too complicated.

Keep it safe. Do not use unstable objects, slippery surfaces or required jumps. Skip this for dogs with movement restrictions unless their veterinarian has said the activity is suitable.

1. Use this only after your dog is comfortable finding you from an easy nearby hiding spot.
2. Step into the next safe room and choose an obvious hiding place within voice range.
3. Call once, celebrate when your dog finds you, then make the next round easy again.

Keep it safe. Keep doors and exits secure. Do not use this game if being separated from you causes distress.

1. Choose one familiar toy and use the same short name for it each time.
2. Say the toy’s name once as you offer it, then share a little play.
3. After a few repetitions, pause and finish rather than testing repeatedly.

Keep it safe. Keep this as an easy learning game, not a test. Do not repeat cues or withhold the toy if your dog seems confused.