What to do

With your dog in front of you on lead and some food treats at the ready ask them for a sit / drop, any behaviour that they know. Say ‘free’ and toss a treat to the side, help them find it until they get the idea, then bring them back into the starting position.  Ask for a behaviour and repeat.

You can mix up the behaviour you are asking for. Initially play in a low distraction environment around the home.  As your dog gets more confident with the game and what to do, you can play in increasingly distracting environments. Having them on a longer lead will mean you can toss the treat further having them cover more distance.

Practice in higher distraction environments

This video demonstration illustrates what the game should look like – Sort of! Wolfie is seven and has always been the lowest energy dog you will ever meet.  What we are aiming for is your dog to be running after their treat and back to you again. 

Behavioural Benefits:

• Brain game – get you dog thinking.

• Active – movement use up energy

• Bonding – strengthen your relationship

• Attention – rewards your dog for listening to you

• Sniffing – finding the treat.