Canine Enrichment

Canine Enrichment is not only fun for you and your dogs, but also give them a mental workout as well as great bonding time for you and your dogs.

With Easter coming up I want to share a fun way to involve your dogs in the festivities, an Easter Egg Hunt!!!

Set up!!!

Start with Plastic Eggs, I use the ones with the air holes as shown above.  Gather your dogs favorite high value treats and kibble, if it is of high value.  Then fill your eggs and place around your house inside or outside.  I usually keep the dogs busy inside or in a separate room while hiding eggs.  If outside ensure you don't place the eggs out too far in advance to prevent them from getting wet or wild animals taking them.  Also make sure the area is dog safe, if you do not have a fenced in safe area to find eggs off leash, keep your dog leashed for safety.  I like preforming the hunt on leash so I can ensure they do not pick up something that is part of the game and to ensure they find the eggs, you can direct them when they get off track.  

How to play the game!!!

Encourage your dog to find the eggs, you can start with a quick seeking exercise to get them going, see video clip here.  Once a dog touches the first egg, I give verbal praise as I pick up the egg and give them the treat inside.  This helps them continue on with the game.  I have one dog that will pick up the eggs and open them, I allow him to do so under my supervision and pick up the two egg halves as he is eating the yummy treat inside.  Legend only touches the eggs and waits for me to open them and Tuff rolls them when he finds them and looks at me to pick them up and open.  You can play two ways.  One is open each egg as the dog finds them, or open the first egg and then pick up the other eggs as the dogs find them and put them in your basket to open once all the eggs are found.  I have three dogs so I set up eggs in 3 locations taking the dogs to each designated area and opening the eggs as they find them.  There is no wrong way to set it up, just make sure you are allowing your dog the time to learn the game and find eggs!!!  Have fun.