Distraction Games

Muffin Tin Game

 

This is a fun game that requires only a couple of things, all of which you might already own. All you need is an empty muffin tin, 12 tennis balls, and some really yummy treats.

  • Put treats into a few of the muffin tin holes and get your dog to sniff them out.
  • Once confident put treats into a few of the muffin tin holes and cover them with tennis balls, if your dog can find them then.
  • Next, put tennis balls into all of the other empty muffin tin holes.
  • Give the “puzzle” to your dog and let them explore by moving the balls to find the treats hidden underneath.

Each time you play, change the location of the treats so your dog needs to use their nose to find the treats.

 

Box Game

For this game, you’ll need to gather several empty boxes. Preferably clean

Begin by throwing treats in a  box and letting him stick his head into the box and get the treat as he gets more confident then you can make it more complex.

get your dog to stay and pretend to put the treat in two boxes but only leave it in one. 

  • start with one box then progress to two boxes
  • Get your dog to stay and pretend to put the treat in both boxes but only leave the treat in one. .
  • be enthusiastic when he finds the treat and give him another one.
  • Remember if you want the dog to enjoy the game you need to enjoy it too!
  • Add complications like:
  • While your dog is in another room, put the empty boxes out on the floor.
  • In one (or several) boxes, put treats.
  • Bring your dog into the room with the boxes and encourage them to search. When your dog finds a treat in a box, praise and let your pup eat the treat.
  • When your dog has found all the hidden treats, come in with another treat and lure your dog out of the search area by keeping their nose on the treat in your hand. Praise your dog and give the treat that you used to lure them away with. This helps to build your dog’s understanding that it is a game you are playing together. It will also keep them from continuing to search and getting frustrated by not being able to find more treats.
  • Add further complications by hiding several boxes around the room or house and taking him on a search
  • When playing inside toilet rolls offer a great hiding spot for treats. set them up around available space and put your treats in one.
  • to develop the game start adding a safe essential oil such as cloves or lavender to the search, remember a little odour goes a very very long way use something like the tip of an ear cleaner with one drop of scent on it and place that with the treat. seal it in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer ready for next time.

Hide & Seek

In this game you are the focus, scatter a handful of low value treats to distract your dog and while your dog is distracted somewhere in the home, hide in a closet, under a bed, or somewhere she wouldn’t normally expect you to be. Then just wait.  She will inevitably begin searching for you. Once she finds you, praise and reward! If you are in a closet and you hear her sniff
at the door, you’ll know she’s doing what dogs have done for centuries. Make sure that you load up with something really yummy like sausage or roast chicken to reward her when she finds you.

Next Level: take it outdoors to a dog-friendly off-leash area, preferably with no one else around­­. Have a friend hold your dog, then walk off into the bushes and find cover. Your friend should wait 30 seconds, then say “Where’s, (your name)!” and release her. Your dog should scoot off with her nose to the ground, searching for you. Within a minute she should find you, at which point you should reward her mightily! Increase your distance over time until she can find you no matter how far off.

Snuffle Mats

Snuffle mats are small rugs that are covered in felt, or material The material sticks out and has lots of layers to hide treats in, you could use a rolled up mat or layers of towels to achieve a similar result. The goal is to hide treats inside the snuffle mat and wait for your dog to sniff them out.

Moondiddley has some handmade treat mats and if you look them up you will find that there’s lots of variations that you can use. the idea is the dog will snuffle through the mat and eat slowly. Using the nose to sniff things out is a calming activity that helps the dog to reduce stress.