Rainy Day Sniff Games

Three easy nose games for the days you can't get out much. All you need is your Hound Hours Snuffle Bowl and your dog's usual dry food or small dry treats.

Before you start

• Stay with your dog while they play. It's a game, not a chew toy.
• Use dry kibble or small dry treats, and count them into the day's food so meals stay the same size.
• When the food's gone, put the bowl away. Ending on a win keeps it exciting for next time.

Game 1: The easy find (good for day one)

1. Pull the cord so the mat becomes a bowl.
2. Drop a few strong-smelling treats on top of the strips, where they're easy to see.
3. Put it down and let your dog find them. Praise every find.
4. Once that's easy, push a few treats a little deeper between the strips.

Game 2: The scatter hunt

1. Open the mat flat on the floor.
2. Sprinkle a handful of kibble over the whole mat, then ruffle the strips so most of it drops out of sight.
3. Let your dog work the whole mat. Some dogs nose, some paw, some do both.
4. Make it harder over the week: more strips ruffled, fewer pieces on top.

Game 3: Find the bowl

1. While your dog waits in another room, load the bowl with a few treats.
2. Put it somewhere easy to start with, like just round a corner.
3. Say your release word ("find it!") and let your dog track it down, then hunt out the treats.
4. Next time, try a slightly trickier spot. Keep it on the floor and in rooms your dog already uses.

If your dog loses interest

Go back a step. Use tastier treats, make the food easier to find, and keep sessions short. A few minutes is plenty.

Questions? Email us at houndhours@gmail.com.