How D'yer Get This?

Another game for indoors and out and another to employ the dog's instinct in foraging for food but this time the dog has to 'think' and 'work things out'.. Once the dog finds the food he then has to access it - or, how d'yer get this.

Start by using a cardboard tube. A toilet roll tube is well suited (it might be best if you use the toilet roll first).  Fold over one end of the tube, place a few 'smelly' treats in the tube and then fold over the other end. It's that simple. Give your dog the enclosed tube and he will soon figure out what to do. Now this is fairly simple but it leads the dog on to variants of this game. After a few weeks you can then start to vary the game.

Use an old tea towel, place flat on a table and put a few smelly treats in the middle, Then, fold the towel in half and then roll it up. Once it is rolled, you should be able to tie the towel in a knot....not too tight. Then, give it to the dog. His first instinct will be to get the treat by tearing and pulling. When he realises that this isn't working he will then try to work out 'how d'yer get this?'  Sooner or later he will work out that by putting his paw on the correct part of the knot and pulling with his teeth on the other correct part of the knot he will be able to undo the knot and get the treat. If he gets it the wrong way round --- the knot will simply tighten. If you notice the knot tighten too much then slacken it off slightly for him.