Games to Play with Your Dog, Find It

Games are an important part of a healthy pack, plus they're just plain fun. Watching a pack in the wild, it is common to see bursts of romping and playing, mock-fights and mischief. It creates deep bonds, and expresses a sense of well-being and relaxation.

We all know the usual games.

• tug
• fetch
• frizbee

These always good fun, and good exercise. But if you're in the mood for something new, try one of these.

My doggie friends love these games.

• find it
• find "person's name"

How To Teach FIND IT:

1...T0 introduce your pooch to Find It, start by getting an aromatic treat such as baked chicken. Rub your fingers on the chicken to transfer the scent to your hand. Let your buddy sniff the scented hand while the chicken is in the other hand out of sight. Then toss the chicken bit onto the ground as you say Find It. Give the appropriate praise.

2...Next put your dog in a Sit/Stay, or have someone hang onto your dog while you move a short distance away. Place the treat in plain sight, go to your dog, let her sniff the scented hand and say Find It . Some dogs bound straight for the chicken. Others may need you to go point and say Find It.

3...Again go to the Sit/Stay or have someone hold your dog. Move away and place something over the treat, like a towel, while the dog is watching. Offer the scent from your hand and say Find It. Say Good Find when they root it out from under the towel.

4...Now the real fun starts. Have your friend take your dog just out of sight. Or take your dog around a corner and put in Sit/Stay. Hide the chicken. You may chose an out-in-the-open spot because your dog is now out of line of sight. When your dog is brought back around, repeat the hand sniffing and Find It command. By now your pooch should start to hunt. Help out at first if needed. If your dog is not VERY good at Sit/Stay, I recommend you use a friend to hang on him. It takes awhile to hide tasty treats in creative locations, and the temptation to get an early shot at the treats is very powerful. If I'm alone I just leave them in a closed room while I go hiding the tasties.

5...Once your dog gets the hang of this, you can hide multiple pieces of treats before you release your dog to find it. Put them around the house. Or go out and place them on rocks, nestled in dog-safe potted plants, tucked in a heap of grass, under a bush. Use your imagination. Your dog will love you for it. After each piece is found, say Find It again if there are more to be found. Once the last piece is discovered, say Game Over.

How To Teach FIND "person's name"

This is an easy one. Go hide in a room of your house. Have your friend hold your dog while you do. Then your friend says, find (your name). The first few times, be close at hand to make some clicking noises to direct your dog. When they come to you say, Good Find. After a few repetitions, you can quietly hide deep in a closet, have someone say find (your name), and watch the joy on your dogs face as he finds you.

I get just as big a thrill from this game as my dogs do. I sometimes hide so I can peak around a corner, just to see how excited and happy my dog is as he searches me out.

Also a useful tool when you need your dog to help you locate someone, or another of your pets. Who knows, you may have a budding search and rescue dog on your hands.

Have fun!