Level 1 - Apprentice
Difficulty: Beginner
1 ~ Introduce the Longsock toy
Encourage your dog to SNIFF their new toy.
REWARD as soon as their nose touches the toy — this builds a positive association.
2 ~ Hide the toy
Pick an EASY hiding spot (try behind the couch) and let your dog see you hide the toy.
As your dog gets better, you can make the game HARDER by hiding the toy further away.
3 ~ Find the toy
Pick a unique search COMMAND — “find it!” is a good option.
Your dog won't know the command yet, but the SCENT will attract them anyway!
GUIDE them gently if they need help.
4 ~ Make them feel good
REWARD your dog for finding the toy.
Let your dog know they are FINISHED — an "all done!" command works well.
5 ~ Swap the scent
A new scent brings back the EXCITEMENT of a new toy (thank you, science).
When switching to a new scent, remember to INTRODUCE the toy again.
Level 2 - Rising Star
Difficulty: Medium
1 ~ Grab 2 Longsock toys
The first toy contains a scent, while the second toy serves as a 'BLANK'.
2 ~ Find the scented toy
Place both toys in front of your dog, but make sure the scented toy is CLOSER.
REWARD them for sniffing the scented toy.
3 ~ Ignore the 'blank'
Now try the same thing, but with the 'BLANK' closer to your dog.
Wait for your dog to move past the 'blank' and REWARD when your dog gets to the scented toy.
4 ~ Now, hide 'em!
Once your dog can confidently distinguish the scented toy from the 'blank', you can start HIDING them.
Dogs frequently FIRST search the LAST place they see you — you can make the game harder by hiding the 'blank' toy last.
If your dog is CONFUSED, take a break, then go back to an earlier step.
5 ~ Swap the scent
A new scent brings back the EXCITEMENT of a new toy (thank you, science).
When switching to a new scent, remember to INTRODUCE the toy again.
Level 3 - Top Dog
Difficulty: Advanced
1 ~ Grab 3 Longsock toys
Set up TWO TOYS with the SAME scent, and leave one toy as a 'blank'.
2 ~ Find 2 scented toys
Place the two SCENTED toys in front of your dog (no 'blank' yet!).
REMOVE the first scented toy when they find it and REWARD when they find the second one.
3 ~ Ignore the 'blank'
Place all THREE toys in front of your dog, including the 'blank'.
Give your dog time to sniff everything, including the 'blank' — only REWARD when they get to the second scented toy.
4 ~ Now, hide 'em!
Once your dog knows that they are looking for two toys, and can ignore the 'blank', you can start HIDING them.
To increase the DIFFICULTY, you can expand the search area, move to a different room, or hide the toys at a different height.
Remember, if your dog is CONFUSED, take a break, then go back to an earlier step.
5 ~ Swap the scent
Your dog learned to search for two toys with the SAME SCENT, so you would replace both when swapping in a new scent.
Using two DIFFERENT scents can be an extra challenge when your dog gets really good.