How to Play "Find It" and Teach Scent Games

By Tailwisp Editorial TeamUpdated October 17, 20263 min read

Dogs experience the world through scent. Find it harnesses that, and gives them a satisfying job. It needs no special equipment and can be played in a flat or a field.

Why scent games are great

Sniffing is mentally tiring, calming and enriching. Scent games help dogs with boredom, restlessness and anxiety, and they are suitable for dogs who cannot exercise heavily. See nose work for dogs.

Step 1: Toss and find

Show your dog a treat, say "find it", and toss it a short distance on the floor. When your dog eats it, repeat. Toss in different directions.

Step 2: Hide in plain sight

Place a few treats on the floor in plain view. Say "find it" and let your dog search. Praise and repeat with different locations.

Step 3: Use cups or boxes

Put a treat under one of three upside-down cups. Say "find it". Reward your dog when they nose the correct cup. Gradually increase the number of cups.

Step 4: Hide in a room

Ask your dog to wait (or have someone hold your dog), hide treats around the room, and release with "find it". Start with easy spots, and progress to harder ones, such as behind furniture.

Step 5: Go outside

Scatter treats in grass, and let your dog sniff them out. Hide a favorite toy in the garden.

Step 6: Combine with other skills

Use find it as a reward for a stay or a recall. See how to teach a dog to stay.

Safety

• Use small, healthy treats, and count them in the daily food allowance
• Avoid hiding items that your dog could swallow whole or that are toxic
• Supervise, and clear up leftovers
• Avoid hiding food outside where it could attract wildlife or disrupt other dogs

Troubleshooting

• Your dog gives up. Make it easier, and use more tempting treats.
• Your dog rushes. Slow down by using a cue to wait.
• Your dog ignores the game. Try different treats and quiet environments.
• Your dog gets frustrated. End on success, and shorten the game.

Benefits for different dogs

• Puppies: build focus and confidence.
• Anxious dogs: sniffing is calming.
• Senior dogs: low-impact stimulation.
• High-energy dogs: burns mental energy. See how to train a hyperactive dog.

Next steps

If your dog loves scent games, try structured nose work classes. See nose work for dogs and tracking training.

A sample plan

• Day 1 to 3: Toss and find.
• Day 4 to 7: Cups and room searches.
• Week 2: Garden and combination games.

Common mistakes

• Making it too hard too soon. Dogs who fail repeatedly may lose interest. Start with easy finds and build gradually.
• Using strong-smelling items you cannot control. Stick to treats or a toy you know is safe.
• Letting the game replace walks. Scent games add to exercise but do not replace social time and movement.
• Forgetting the food allowance. Count scatter-feeding treats, or use part of the daily meal.

Ideas to vary the game

• Scatter kibble in grass or a snuffle mat.
• Hide treats in cardboard tubes, boxes or folded towels.
• Place a favorite toy in a room and ask your dog to find it.
• Hide yourself and reward your dog for finding you, which also strengthens recall.

Scent games are especially helpful on rainy days, during recovery from injury (with vet approval) and for dogs who struggle on busy walks. Keep sessions short, and end with a success.

The takeaway

Let your dog use their nose. Find it is easy, fun and tiring in the best way.