Teach Your Dog How to Play Hide and Seek With a Squirrel Toy 
In order to teach your dog how to play hide and seek, you must create a distraction. If you want to play with your dog outside, try hiding behind bushes or sheds and calling them when they find you. Gradually increase the distraction level so your dog is more likely to trump the squirrels. However, don’t expect your dog to win the first time. Playing hide and seek with you can help your dog relieve boredom and learn how to entertain themselves.
Plush puzzle toy with hidden squeakers
A plush puzzle toy with hidden squeaks is a fun way to engage your pup in fun games and mental stimulation. Its stuffed squirrels are filled with squeakers, and its attached top makes it hard for your dog to remove the toys. Instead, your pup must try to squeeze its nose and paw through the opening to find the prize. This toy is perfect for keeping your pup mentally active and will keep your pooch entertained for hours.
Another fun puzzle toy is the Barnacle Puzzle Toy, which is more of a game than a puzzle toy. It’s better for precocious pups or dogs needing mental stimulation. The ridges trap treats, and it is designed for both dog and human play. Some puzzle toys have different degrees of difficulty, and some are easier to solve than others, so make sure your pooch knows how to use both hands and feet properly when playing with this toy.
Easy to clean
Squirrels can cause havoc in the yard and on the street if you don’t know what to do. If you notice your dog is becoming enamored with the squirrels, calmly and consistently reward him for responding to your commands. You may want to invest in some specialized dog training to teach your pet the right way to respond to squirrels. Fortunately, squirrels are relatively easy to clean and can be an invaluable training tool for your puppy or dog.
Keep in mind that your dog may be aggressive towards the baby squirrel and you need to be prepared for that. A small cage will work well but make sure to put it in a room that doesn’t smell like the neighborhood. If you’re keeping a pet squirrel as part of your training program, be sure to keep the cage stocked with fresh water so you don’t need to buy new bedding for your dog every day.
Great for socialization
In order to teach your dog to enjoy playing the game of hide and seek, you must first provide an environment that is safe for them to explore. If possible, use an elevated tree or crate with a live squirrel. As your dog becomes more curious, he will start to move towards the squirrel and bark to attract it. You can also use delivery boxes as enrichment boxes. Packing paper is great for environmental socialization.
Once your dog is comfortable with the activity, try tying a squirrel tail to a stick or string. Tie the tail to a long stick or a rope and hold it high in the air. You can try teasing your dog by letting it see the tail, but only a few times a day. Once you’ve mastered this task, it’s time to introduce squirrel training.
Suitable for rough-housing dogs
If your dog is rough-housing, you might want to invest in a squirrel toy. This toy can be used in many ways, including fetch, hide-and-seek, and even for playing. Its adorable appearance has made it a favorite among owners. Dogs have even been reported to play with it in many different ways, including playing with it while eating.
The Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel is made of durable fabric and is available in four sizes. The 17-inch version has three plush squirrels that dogs can hide inside it, and the larger one has six. Its squirrels come with tree trunk holes and a squeaker to encourage your dog to chase and catch the toy. The squirrel is deep enough to be retrieved by a hard-core chewer, but soft enough to be kept in a safe place. After play, you can always put the squirrel back in the trunk.
What is the best way to train a dog to play hide and seek?
The best way to train a dog to play hide and seek is to start with simple commands such as sit and stay.
Once the dog has mastered these commands you can begin to introduce the concept of hiding and seeking.
Start by hiding a treat somewhere in the room and then releasing the dog to find it.
As the dog becomes more proficient at the game you can increase the difficulty by hiding the treat in more difficult to reach places.
Why is it important to train a dog to play hide and seek?
Training a dog to play hide and seek is important because it helps to build the bond between the dog and the owner.
The game also helps to stimulate the dog’s mind and provides an opportunity for exercise.
How can playing hide and seek with a dog help to improve the dog’s behavior?
Playing hide and seek with a dog can help to improve the dog’s behavior by teaching the dog to follow commands and to stay focused.
The game can also help to reduce anxiety and provide a way to release excess energy.
What are some of the benefits of playing hide and seek with a dog?
Some of the benefits of playing hide and seek with a dog include bonding with the dog stimulating the dog’s mind providing exercise and reducing anxiety.
How can playing hide and seek help to reduce a dog’s anxiety?
Playing hide and seek can help to reduce a dog’s anxiety by providing a way to release excess energy.
The game can also help to distract the dog from worrying thoughts and provide a sense of structure.
How often should a dog play hide and seek?
A dog should play hide and seek as often as the owner is able to provide the time and energy for the game.
It is important to make sure that the dog is not becoming anxious or stressed from playing the game too often.
How can I make playing hide and seek more challenging for my dog?
As your dog becomes more proficient at playing hide and seek you can make the game more challenging by hiding the treat in more difficult to reach places.
You can also increase the number of treats that you hide so that the dog has to search for a longer period of time.
What should I do if my dog becomes anxious while playing hide and seek?
If your dog becomes anxious while playing hide and seek it is important to provide reassurance and encouragement.
You can also try to reduce the level of difficulty of the game so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed.
If the anxiety persists it is best to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
What should I do if my dog becomes bored while playing hide and seek?
If your dog becomes bored while playing hide and seek it is important to try to increase the level of difficulty of the game.
You can also try to hide the treat in more difficult to reach places.
If the boredom persists it is best to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
How can I make playing hide and seek more fun for my dog?
You can make playing hide and seek more fun for your dog by hiding the treat in more difficult to reach places.
You can also try to increase the number of treats that you hide so that the dog has to search for a longer period of time.
What is the best way to end a game of hide and seek with my dog?
The best way to end a game of hide and seek with your dog is to praise the dog for a job well done and give them a treat.
You can also try to reduce the level of difficulty of the game so that the dog does not feel overwhelmed.
How can I prevent my dog from becoming anxious while playing hide and seek?
You can prevent your dog from becoming anxious while playing hide and seek by starting with simple commands such as sit and stay.
Once the dog has mastered these commands you can begin to introduce the concept of hiding and seeking.
Start by hiding a treat somewhere in the room and then releasing the dog to find it.
As the dog becomes more proficient at the game you can increase the difficulty by hiding the treat in more difficult to reach places.
How can I prevent my dog from becoming bored while playing hide and seek?
You can prevent your dog from becoming bored while playing hide and seek by trying to increase the level of difficulty of the game.
You can also try to hide the treat in more difficult to reach places.
If the boredom persists it is best to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
What are some things I should avoid while playing hide and seek with my dog?
Some things you should avoid while playing hide and seek with your dog include becoming too excited which can lead to the dog becoming anxious and becoming too relaxed which can lead to the dog becoming bored.
It is important to maintain a balance so that the dog can have fun and stay engaged in the game.
What should I do if I think my dog is cheating while we’re playing hide and seek?
If you think your dog is cheating while you’re playing hide and seek it is important to remain calm and patient.
You can try to increase the level of difficulty of the game so that the dog has to work harder to find the treat.
If the cheating persists it is best to consult with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
