How To

🐾What you need: a few boxes, some treats, non-slip flooring

1. Scatter a few boxes in an area. Have your pet wait or have a helper very gently restrain them while you place a few treats in the boxes. It’s okay if your pet can see what you’re doing! 

2. Let the pet sniff out the treats. Offer lots of praise once they have found the treats. Try to let them work as independently as possible!

3. Build a few different configurations. Remember, the goal isn’t to make it too hard, but to help them develop problem-solving skills and self-reward.

4. Repeat while they are out of sight. Move boxes around the area so they will search a bit more.

5. Once they reliably locate treats in boxes, start hiding treats near, but not in boxes. 

6. Gradually progress difficulty so you are hiding treats outside of boxes and adding in a bit of challenge.

Watch Points

1. Keep the hides nose-height or lower to keep their feet on the floor.

2. Give your pet plenty of time to work the problem out at their own speed. If they seem confused, you might offer a suggestion to them by moving a box or object, but be sure your support is still letting them drive the search.

3. If they struggle or lose interest, take a break and make it a bit easier. The aim is to have fun, not necessarily to solve every hard puzzle!