HQ Training Drill: Scrunchy Paper Treats - An Easy Snuffle Game for Dogs

HQ has approved another extremely simple indoor investigation. All you need is some paper, a few treats and an Agent prepared to search for them.

This drill is called Scrunchy Paper Treats. Place the treats on a sheet of paper, scrunch it together very loosely and let your dog snuffle through the folds to recover them.

Before releasing your Agent, wait for their attention to move away from the treats and back towards you. Even a split second of eye contact will do at first.

What this drill helps with

It may only be treats hidden inside some paper, but your dog also gets to practise:

• Waiting while the game is prepared
• Moving their attention away from the treats and back towards you
• Responding to a release word
• Using their nose to search through the paper
• Working through a simple food puzzle

What you need

• A clean sheet of plain paper
• A few small treats
• Your Agent
• A release word, such as “Go” or “Okay”
• Close supervision throughout the investigation

1. Lay out the paper

Place a clean sheet of plain paper on the floor or another safe, flat surface.

2. Add the treats

Place several small treats across the paper.

3. Give it a loose scrunch

Very lightly scrunch the paper around the treats. Keep it loose enough for your dog to snuffle through without needing to bite their way inside.

4. Make the investigation inviting

Leave one or two treats visible near the edges of the paper if your Agent needs encouragement to investigate.

5. Wait for their focus

Build a little excitement, then wait until your dog looks away from the paper and back towards you. A very brief glance is enough when first learning the game.

6. Release your Agent

Use your release word, such as “Go”, and let the snuffling operation begin.

7. Remove the evidence

Once the treats have been recovered, remove the paper before your Agent decides that eating the packaging was also part of the mission.

Commander notes

• Keep the paper very loosely scrunched, especially on the first attempt.
• Supervise your dog closely throughout the game.
• Avoid paper containing staples, tape, plastic or other materials your dog could swallow.
• If your dog begins eating the paper, end the game and remove it immediately.
• This game is not suitable for dogs already known to munch or swallow paper.
• At first, release your dog as soon as they glance towards you. You can gradually wait for slightly longer focus later.

Agent difficulty levels

Level 1: Recruit

Leave the paper almost flat, with the treats clearly visible inside a few very loose folds.

Level 2: Field Agent

Loosely scrunch the paper around the treats so your Agent needs to search through it using their nose.

Level 3: Elite Paper Investigator

Add a few more loose folds and ask your Agent to hold their focus on you for slightly longer before being released. Keep the paper easy to open and continue supervising closely.

Try it with your Agent

Give Scrunchy Paper Treats a go and report back in the comments.

Did your Agent carefully investigate every fold? Flatten the whole operation immediately? Recover the treats and leave HQ to handle the paperwork?

Leave a comment below and add a photo of the investigation if you caught one.

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