Indoor scent games for dogs: five nose games for small spaces

What it does for your dog

• Mental work that doesn't need outdoor space or good weather.
• Quiet, so it suits apartments and evenings.
• Builds confidence and focus.
• Can help a dog wind down after a busy day.

Which dogs and situations it suits

These games suit nearly every dog, including puppies, seniors and dogs with limited mobility. Dogs that aren't motivated by food can search for a favourite toy instead.

What you need

• Small, smelly treats, or a favourite toy
• Three plastic cups (for the cup game)
• A few cardboard boxes or tubs

How to do it

Preparation

1. Pick a room and put away anything breakable at dog height.
2. Decide on a search cue, such as "find it".
3. Have a few treats ready in your pocket.

Step by step

1. 1Find it (easy): let your dog watch you drop a treat a short distance away, say "find it" and let them eat it. Repeat, then toss treats behind furniture where they have to search.
2. 2The cup game (easy): put a treat under one of three upturned cups while they watch, shuffle slowly, and reward when they nose the right cup.
3. 3Which hand? (easy): close a treat in one fist, offer both, and open the hand they choose with a definite nose or paw touch.
4. 4Box line-up (moderate): put a treat in one of several boxes while your dog waits out of sight, then let them search the line.
5. 5Room search (moderate to hard): hide several treats around a room at different heights, under cushions and behind doors, then send your dog to find them all.

Make it easier or harder

Beginner version

• Let your dog see where you hide things.
• Use only two or three hiding places.
• Keep the session to a few minutes.

Advanced variations

• Hide treats in more than one room.
• Use boxes inside boxes.
• Hide a toy instead of food, and reward the find with play.
• Teach the name of a toy and send them to find that toy only.

For puppies

Use the easy games and keep sessions to two or three minutes. Puppies tire quickly, and short, successful games build confidence.

For senior dogs and dogs with mobility issues

Keep hides at nose height so your dog doesn't have to jump, stretch or bend awkwardly, and play on non-slip flooring.

Supervision and safety

• Use part of your dog's daily food so treats don't add up.
• Don't hide food anywhere your dog might chew through something (like a couch cushion) to get it.
• Count your hides so none are left to go mouldy.
• Supervise box games so cardboard isn't swallowed.
• Play one dog at a time if your dogs might compete over food.

Common mistakes

• Hiding treats too well on day one.
• Pointing or helping.
• Forgetting a hide and finding it weeks later.
• Hiding food in furniture you don't want them to dig into.