The “Find It” game is a beloved activity among German Shepherds, combining mental stimulation, physical exercise, and bonding opportunities. This engaging game taps into the breed’s natural instincts and intelligence, providing a fun and rewarding experience for both dogs and their owners.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons why German Shepherds are particularly drawn to the “Find It” game and provide a step-by-step guide on how to play it with your furry companion. Whether you’re a seasoned German Shepherd owner or new to the breed, incorporating this game into your routine can lead to a happier, healthier, and more well-rounded dog.
Reasons Why Every German Shepherd Loves the “Find It” Game
1. Stimulates Their Natural Hunting Instincts
German Shepherds are renowned for their exceptional intelligence and keen sense of smell, traits that make them excel in various working roles. The “Find It” game capitalizes on these inherent abilities, allowing your German Shepherd to utilize their senses and intellect in a fun and engaging way.
By stimulating their natural hunting instincts, the game provides a satisfying outlet for their innate drives while keeping their minds sharp and focused.
This mental and physical stimulation is crucial for a breed as energetic and intelligent as the German Shepherd. As they search for hidden objects, they engage in constant movement, sniffing, and problem-solving, which offers a perfect blend of physical activity and mental exercise.
This comprehensive workout is essential for their overall well-being and can help prevent undesirable behaviors that may arise from boredom or excess energy.
2. Provides Mental and Physical Exercise
The “Find It” game offers a holistic approach to exercise, engaging both the mind and body of your German Shepherd. As they navigate through different environments, using their senses to locate hidden objects, they’re constantly processing information and making decisions.
This mental workout is just as important as physical exercise for this intelligent breed, helping to keep their cognitive abilities sharp and reducing the likelihood of behavioral issues stemming from under-stimulation.
Physically, the game encourages movement and exploration, providing a low-impact form of exercise that can be tailored to your dog’s fitness level and energy needs.
Whether played indoors or outdoors, the “Find It” game can be adapted to provide the right amount of physical challenge, making it an excellent complement to regular walks and more intense exercise sessions.
3. Strengthens Bond with Owners
The “Find It” game serves as a powerful tool for strengthening the bond between German Shepherds and their owners. During playtime, you and your dog engage in a shared activity that requires communication, trust, and cooperation.
This interactive experience fosters a deeper connection as you work together towards a common goal, celebrating each successful find as a team.
Moreover, the game provides an opportunity for positive reinforcement and praise, further enhancing your relationship. As you guide your German Shepherd through the game, offering encouragement and rewards, you reinforce their trust in you as a leader and partner.
This strengthened bond can translate into improved obedience and a more harmonious household overall.
4. Increases Confidence
Success in the “Find It” game can significantly boost your German Shepherd’s confidence. Each time they successfully locate a hidden object, they experience a sense of accomplishment, reinforced by your praise and rewards.
This positive experience encourages them to tackle new challenges with enthusiasm, gradually building their self-assurance in their abilities.
As your German Shepherd becomes more proficient at the game, you can increase the difficulty, providing opportunities for them to overcome more complex challenges.
This progressive skill-building not only enhances their problem-solving abilities but also contributes to a more confident and well-adjusted dog in various aspects of their life, from interacting with new environments to facing unfamiliar situations.
5. Offers Fun and Variety
One of the key reasons German Shepherds love the “Find It” game is its inherent fun and versatility. The game can be easily adapted to suit different environments, skill levels, and preferences, ensuring that it remains exciting and challenging for your dog.
You can vary the types of objects hidden, the locations used, and even incorporate other training commands to keep the game fresh and engaging.
This variety not only prevents boredom but also continues to challenge your German Shepherd’s cognitive abilities. By regularly introducing new elements to the game, you keep their interest piqued and their minds active.
The enjoyment derived from this ever-changing game turns what could be seen as a training exercise into an eagerly anticipated playtime activity, making it easier to maintain a consistent routine of mental and physical stimulation for your dog.
How to Play the “Find It” Game
Step 1: Introduce the Game
Begin by familiarizing your German Shepherd with the concept of the “Find It” game in a comfortable, known environment. Present them with a favorite toy or treat, allowing them to inspect and sniff it thoroughly.
This initial step helps your dog understand that the object will be the focus of the game, piquing their interest and setting the stage for the hunt to come.
As you introduce the game, use an enthusiastic tone and positive body language to convey that this is a fun activity. Let your dog see you handling the object, building their anticipation for what comes next. This introduction is crucial for establishing the foundation of the game and getting your German Shepherd excited about playing.
Step 2: Basic Hiding
Start with simple, easily discoverable hiding spots to build your German Shepherd’s confidence and understanding of the game. While your dog watches, place the object in an obvious location, such as behind a partially open door or under the edge of a rug.
This visible hiding process helps your dog grasp the basic concept of the game – that the object disappears and needs to be found.
Gradually increase the challenge by using slightly more concealed spots, always ensuring that your dog can succeed in finding the object. This step-by-step progression helps maintain their interest and prevents frustration, setting a positive tone for future, more challenging games.
Step 3: Give the Command
Once the object is hidden, use a clear, consistent command such as “Find it!” to signal your German Shepherd to begin searching. Deliver the command in an upbeat, encouraging tone to motivate your dog and convey that this is a fun activity.
Consistency in your command choice is key, as it helps your dog associate the phrase with the action of searching and finding.
If your dog seems unsure at first, you can combine the verbal command with a hand gesture, pointing in the general direction of the hidden object.
As your German Shepherd becomes more familiar with the game, you can rely solely on the verbal command, enhancing their ability to respond to voice cues.
Step 4: Encourage and Reward
As your German Shepherd searches for the hidden object, offer plenty of verbal encouragement. Use phrases like “Good searching!” or “You’re getting closer!” to maintain their enthusiasm and guide them if needed.
When they successfully find the item, immediately reward them with praise, treats, or playtime with the found object, depending on what motivates your dog most.
This positive reinforcement is crucial for cementing the game’s appeal and encouraging repeat performances. The combination of your excitement and tangible rewards creates a positive association with the game, making your German Shepherd eager to play again in the future.
Step 5: Increase Difficulty Gradually
To keep the “Find It” game challenging and engaging for your German Shepherd, progressively increase the difficulty of your hiding spots. Move from obvious locations to more concealed areas, or introduce multiple items to find in a single session.
You can also expand the game to different rooms or outdoor spaces, providing new environments for your dog to explore.
As your German Shepherd’s skills improve, consider incorporating scent work by using objects with distinct smells or even introducing time limits to add an extra challenge.
Remember to adjust the difficulty based on your dog’s success rate, always aiming for a balance that keeps them engaged and successful most of the time while still providing a satisfying challenge.
