Never Lose a Ball Again: Teach Your Dog the ‘Find It’ Game

The beauty of the ‘Find It’ game is its simplicity. You don’t need any fancy or expensive equipment to get started. In fact, you probably have everything you need lying around the house right now. Here’s your simple checklist:

• High-Value Treats: These are the really good ones! Think small, soft, and extra smelly treats that your dog absolutely loves. Bits of cheese, hot dog, or freeze-dried liver work wonders. The goal is to make the reward irresistible.
• Your Dog’s Favorite Toy: Once your dog gets the hang of the game with treats, you’ll transition to their favorite toy. A ball, a squeaky plushie, or a frisbee will work perfectly.
• A Quiet Starting Space: Begin your training sessions indoors in a room with minimal distractions, like your living room or kitchen. This helps your dog focus on the new game without getting sidetracked by a squirrel outside the window.
• Your Positive Energy: This is the most important tool! Your excitement and praise are what make the game fun for your dog. Bring your happiest voice and be ready to celebrate every little success.

Alright, you’ve got your treats and your enthusiastic pup. It’s time to play! Remember to keep sessions short and sweet, especially at the beginning—just 5-10 minutes is perfect. The goal is to always end on a high note, leaving your dog wanting more.

Step 1: Introduce the Concept with Treats

We start with treats to make the game super easy and rewarding. Hold a smelly treat in your hand and let your dog sniff it. As they do, say your cue word, “Find It!”, in an excited tone of voice. Then, simply drop the treat on the floor right in front of them. When they eat it, shower them with praise like “Good find!” or “Yes!”. Repeat this 5-6 times until you can see your dog anticipates the treat drop when they hear the cue.

Step 2: Add a Tiny Challenge

Now that your dog connects “Find It!” with a treat appearing on the floor, let’s make it a tiny bit harder. With your dog watching, toss the treat a few feet away from you and say “Find It!”. They’ll have to use their nose a little more to locate it. Once they master that, try placing the treat under the edge of a rug or just behind a table leg while they watch. The key here is that they still see where you put it. We’re teaching them the process of searching.

Step 3: Swap Treats for the Toy

When your dog is confidently finding the partially hidden treats, it’s time to introduce their favorite toy. Get them excited by playing for a moment, then have them sit and wait. Place the toy in plain sight a few feet away, go back to your dog, and enthusiastically say, “Find It!”. When they run to the toy, celebrate like they just won the lottery! A quick game of tug or a celebratory toss is a perfect reward.

Step 4: Increase the Difficulty Indoors

This is where the real fun begins. Ask your dog to ‘stay’ in one room while you go ‘hide’ the toy in another. At first, make it very easy—just inside the doorway of the next room. Release them with your “Find It!” cue and lead them toward the right area if they need help. As they get better, you can make the hiding spots more challenging: behind a couch cushion, under a blanket, or in a different room altogether. Their confidence will soar as they learn to trust their nose to solve the puzzle.

Once your dog is a ‘Find It’ champion indoors, it’s time to take the show on the road. The great outdoors presents a whole new world of smells and distractions, so we need to set our dogs up for success.

1. Start in Your Backyard: Begin in a familiar, low-distraction outdoor space like your own fenced-in yard. This is much easier than a busy public park.
2. Use a Long Leash: Initially, keep your dog on a long training lead (15-30 feet). This gives them freedom to search but allows you to gently guide them back on track if they get distracted by a particularly interesting smell or a passing butterfly.
3. Make Hides Easy at First: Just like when you started indoors, make the first few outdoor hides super simple. Toss the ball into a patch of slightly taller grass a few feet away. As they succeed, you can gradually increase the difficulty by hiding it behind a tree, under a bush, or in a pile of leaves.
4. Keep the Party Going: The outdoor world is exciting! You need to be even more exciting. Use a happy, encouraging voice and celebrate every find with immense enthusiasm. This teaches your dog that finding the toy for you is the best game around.

Expert Tip: Always be mindful of safety. When playing in public areas, ensure you’re not hiding toys near potential hazards or on private property. Always keep an eye on your dog.

Even with the best game plan, you might hit a little bump in the road. Don’t worry, it’s completely normal! Here are some common issues and how to solve them.

• My dog gets distracted easily.

  This is especially common when you move outdoors. If your dog loses focus, it’s a sign that the game is a bit too hard for them at that moment. Simply go back a step. Make the hides much easier, shorten the distance, and use extra-special rewards. Keep the session short and end with a successful find!

• My dog gives up if they can’t find it right away.

  A lack of confidence can cause a dog to quit early. Your job is to be their cheerleader! If you see them struggling, don’t be afraid to help. Walk with them, point toward the general area, and use an encouraging tone. Make the next few hides incredibly easy to rebuild their confidence. Every find is a win!

• My dog just doesn’t seem interested in the toy.

  If your dog isn’t motivated, they won’t play. Make sure the toy you’re using is one of their absolute favorites. You can also build its value by playing a high-energy game of fetch or tug for a minute before you start the ‘Find It’ game. This gets them revved up and reminds them how awesome that toy is.