Never Lose A Glove Again: Teach Your Dog This Winter Scent Game

The great news is you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to start this game. You probably have everything you need right at home. Before you begin, gather these simple items:

• A Pair of Your Gloves: It’s important to use gloves that you’ve actually worn. The game relies on your dog tracking your specific scent, so a brand new pair won’t work as well.
• High-Value Treats: These are the extra-special snacks your dog goes wild for. Think small pieces of cheese, chicken, or freeze-dried liver, not their everyday kibble. The reward needs to be exciting enough to make finding the glove totally worth it.
• A Clicker (Optional): If you’ve used a clicker in training before, it can be a great tool to precisely mark the moment your dog successfully interacts with the glove. If not, a clear verbal marker like a happy “Yes!” works just as well.
• A Leash: For when you take the game outdoors, a standard 6-foot leash or a longer training line will help keep your dog focused and safe while they learn.
• Enthusiasm!: Your positive energy is the most important tool! This should be a fun game, so bring your happy voice and plenty of praise.

We’ll break this down into easy-to-follow steps. Remember to keep sessions short (5-10 minutes) and always end on a positive note. Patience and positivity are key!

1. Step 1: Make the Glove Awesome

   First, we need to teach your dog that the glove is a magical source of amazing things (treats!). Sit on the floor with your dog. Hold one glove in your hand. When your dog shows any interest—sniffing it, booping it with their nose, or even just looking at it—click (or say “Yes!”) and give them a high-value treat. Repeat this several times until your dog is eagerly interacting with the glove.

2. Step 2: Introduce the Cue

   Now, let’s add a name to the game. Place the glove on the floor a foot away from you. As your dog moves towards it, say your chosen cue in a happy, encouraging voice. Good cues are simple, like “Find it!” or “Where’s your glove?”. The moment their nose touches the glove, click/”Yes!” and reward them right at the glove. This helps them understand that the glove itself is the target.

3. Step 3: Start Simple Hides (Indoors)

   Once your dog understands the basic concept, it’s time for a little hide-and-seek. While your dog watches, toss the glove a few feet away. Say your cue, “Find it!”, and act excited. When they go to the glove and touch it, praise them lavishly and give them a treat. Gradually increase the difficulty. Try placing it partially under a pillow or behind a chair leg while they watch.

4. Step 4: Take the Game Outside

   Find a low-distraction area, like your backyard. Keep your dog on a leash to start. Repeat the process from Step 3: toss the glove a short distance, give your cue, and reward them enthusiastically when they find it. The new smells outdoors will be more challenging, so keep it easy and fun at first.

5. Step 5: The ‘Accidental’ Drop

   This is where it all comes together! On a walk, secretly drop a glove without your dog noticing. Walk a few more steps, then stop and act surprised. “Oh no! Where’s my glove? Find it!” Use your cue and gesture back in the direction you came from. Your dog’s amazing nose will take over. When they find it, throw a party! Make it the best thing that has ever happened. This real-world application is the ultimate reward.

Sometimes training doesn’t go exactly as planned, and that’s okay! Every dog learns differently. Here are some common issues and how to solve them.

• My dog isn’t interested in the glove.
  

  This usually means the reward isn’t motivating enough. Try a higher-value treat! You can also ‘charge’ the glove by storing it in a bag with some smelly treats for an hour before you play. Also, make sure your energy is high and you’re making it seem like the most fun game in the world.

• My dog gets too distracted outside.
  

  This is very common! The world is full of interesting smells. Go back to a less distracting environment, like your yard or even indoors. Use a long training line to give them freedom to search without the freedom to wander off. Make yourself and the game more exciting than the distractions.

• My dog finds the glove but chews it or won’t bring it back.
  

  The goal of this game is to find the item, not necessarily retrieve it (though that’s a bonus!). The reward should happen the second they locate the glove. If they start to chew, you can trade them for a treat by saying “Drop it” and offering the snack. To encourage a retrieve, reward any movement they make back towards you with the glove in their mouth.

Once your dog is a pro at finding your glove in the backyard, you can level up the game to keep their brain working and the fun going strong!

• Increase Distance and Time: Start waiting longer after you drop the glove before sending them to find it. You can also drop it and walk much further away, making the track more challenging.
• Blind Finds: Have a friend or family member hide the glove without you or your dog seeing where it goes. This teaches your dog to rely solely on their nose and your cue, not on watching you.
• Introduce New Items: Once they’ve mastered “Find your glove,” you can teach them to find other items with your scent on them, like your keys or a hat. Use a different cue for each item, like “Find keys!”
• Vary the Environment: Practice in different places—a quiet hiking trail, a different part of the park, or a friend’s backyard. New environments provide new challenges and help proof the behavior.

By making the game progressively more difficult, you keep it engaging and continue to build your dog’s confidence and scenting skills.