Go Find It

This is a multi-functional treat chasing game.  This game can function as enrichment, as a connection and recall building game, as a pattern game, as an alternate behavior, or as a displacement behavior.  The functionality will depend on when you decide to use it and can (happily) serve multiple different purposes at different times.

Function	Application
Enrichment	Chasing, Running, Foraging
Connection/Recall	Running Away and Returning
Pattern	Creates a known pattern with a positive association to be used in other environments
Alternate	Replaces pulling, chasing, staring, barking, jumping, and more
Displacement/Stress Relief	Burns off/releases energy built up by the environment

Prerequisite Skills	Gear
Leash and Harness Desensitization Marker Word	Leash and/or harness* Treat Pouch with Treats Or 2 of the same Toy

*Leash and harness optional.  Use as needed for safety or as desired to practice with gear on.

Find It is taught/played by:

• Identify a treat that creates some excitement in your dog

• Show you dog the treat

• Say “Go Find It”

• Toss the food for the dog to go get

• Pause

  • If the dog eats the food and the looks back play again

  • If the dog eats the food and doesn’t look back encourage it by

    • Making a noise

    • Shuffling your feet

    • Taking a step or 2 toward your dog

    • Use a known attention cue

• Start with short tosses, by tossing the food in front of dog and close enough they don’t struggle to find it

• Generalize the behavior:

  • Increase the distance that the food is tossed

  • Toss the food into more challenging locations (around an object or corner, into other objects (toys), into natural areas like grass, etc.)

  • Practice in as many different environments as possible

  • Practice around different level of difficult distractions (start easy)

  • Build other skills into this behavior.  Practice other known or new cues in between reps.

• Reminder:  Treat tossing is a skill and needs to be practiced.  Accuracy will vary depending on the food (think weight and bounce).  Extra attention is required when the dog is on leash (longer leashes can be useful) to prevent them from hitting

• the end of the leash and pulling to complete the game.