Boston Terrier Your Boston is bouncing off the walls again. You’ve already done a walk, a play session, and tossed the ball until your arm gave out. And yet, there he is: staring at you with those enormous eyes, pawing at your leg, absolutely convinced that life is ending because he’s bored.
Sound familiar?
Physical exercise alone doesn’t cut it for Boston Terriers. These little dogs have brains that need a workout just as much as their legs do. Without mental stimulation, boredom turns into mischief, anxiety, or that special kind of chaos only a Boston can create.
That’s where the "Find It" game comes in.
What Is the "Find It" Game?
At its core, "Find It" is a nose work game. You hide treats (or a favorite toy) somewhere in your home or yard, and your dog uses their sense of smell to track them down.
Simple, right? But don’t let the simplicity fool you.
A single 10-minute round of "Find It" can tire out a Boston Terrier more effectively than a 30-minute walk. The mental focus required for scent work taps into a dog’s primal wiring in a way that fetch just doesn’t.
"Five minutes of nose work can do what an hour of running can’t. The brain is the most exhausting muscle a dog has."
Boston Terriers, despite their compact size, are sharp and curious dogs. They were bred to be alert and engaged. Give them a puzzle to solve and watch their whole personality light up.
Why Boston Terriers Are Perfect for This Game
They’re Wired for Problem-Solving
Bostons are smart. Not always in the "sits perfectly on command" way, but in the "figured out how to open the treat drawer" way. That cleverness craves an outlet.
"Find It" gives them a legal, structured way to use that brain. Instead of inventing their own entertainment (which rarely ends well for your furniture), they get to channel that energy into something productive.
Their Noses Are More Powerful Than You Think
People often underestimate how good a Boston’s nose is. They’re not bloodhounds, sure. But a dog’s sense of smell is anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than a human’s.
That little snout your Boston buries into every corner of the yard? It’s a sophisticated scent-detection machine. "Find It" puts it to work in the best possible way.
It Works for All Energy Levels
Got a zoomie-obsessed two-year-old Boston? This game helps burn the edge off. Got a senior Boston who’s slowing down but still sharp? "Find It" keeps their mind active without stressing their body.
That versatility makes it one of the most useful games in your toolkit, no matter where your dog is in life.
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Before you run your first round, gather a few things:
Treats: Use something small and highly motivating. Think tiny pieces of chicken, freeze-dried liver, or whatever makes your Boston go absolutely feral with excitement. This isn’t the time for their everyday kibble.
A dedicated cue word: You’ll use this word every single time you release your dog to search. "Find it" is the obvious choice, but "go sniff" or "search" works just as well. Pick one and stick with it.
A small container or muffin tin (optional): Helpful for early stages, but not required.
That’s genuinely all you need. No expensive equipment, no big setup.
Step 1: Introduce the Concept
Don’t just hide a treat under the couch cushion and expect your Boston to understand what’s happening. You need to build the game from the ground up.
Start with your dog watching you.
Place a treat on the floor, right in front of them, and say your cue word as they go to eat it. Do this five or six times. You’re not hiding anything yet; you’re teaching them that the word means "go get a treat."
This step feels almost too easy, but it matters. You’re building an association between the cue and the reward before any actual searching begins.
Step 2: Add a Small Challenge
Now you’re going to make them work just slightly harder.
Put your Boston in a sit-stay (or have someone hold them) and place a treat a few feet away while they watch. Then release them with your cue word.
Do this several times, gradually increasing the distance. Let them succeed easily and often. Confidence at this stage is everything.
"The whole point of early training is to let your dog win. A dog who feels successful becomes a dog who tries harder."
Once they’re running to the treat with enthusiasm the moment they hear the cue, you’re ready for the next step.
Step 3: Introduce Simple Hiding Spots
This is where it starts getting fun.
While your Boston waits in another room (or with a helper), place treats in easy hiding spots: behind a chair leg, next to a shoe, under the edge of a rug. Nothing complicated.
Bring them in, say your cue word, and watch them go to work.
The first few times, guide them gently toward the general area if they get stuck. Over time, resist the urge to help. Let them struggle a little. That mild frustration is exactly where the mental work (and the satisfaction) happens.
Step 4: Increase Difficulty Gradually
Once your Boston is consistently finding treats in easy spots, start making the hides trickier.
Try elevated spots, like on a low shelf or tucked behind a table leg at nose height. Add more treats in multiple locations so they have to keep searching after the first find. Move into new rooms.
You can also start hiding a specific item (like a small toy or a scent tin) rather than just food, which is the foundation of more advanced nose work competition if you ever want to go that route.
A Quick Note on Reading Your Dog
Watch their body language during the game. A dog who’s engaged looks alive: tail moving, nose working, body forward. A dog who’s overwhelmed might shut down, leave the area, or lose interest fast.
If that happens, dial it back. Make the hides easier and rebuild their confidence. There’s no rush.
Step 5: Build a Routine
Here’s where a lot of people drop off. They play "Find It" a few times, life gets busy, and the game disappears. Don’t let that happen.
Aim for two or three short sessions per week. Five to ten minutes is plenty. You can even work it into your existing routine, like doing a quick round before dinner or after your morning walk.
"Consistency doesn’t mean every day. It means often enough that your dog remembers how good it feels to play."
Write it into your calendar if you need to. Treat it like any other part of your dog’s care.
Making It Even Better
Play After Exercise
Try running "Find It" after a walk rather than instead of one. A dog who’s had some physical output is often more focused, not less. The combination of body and brain work hits differently.
Use It as a Calming Tool
If your Boston is overstimulated (guests arrive, fireworks outside, the general chaos of a Tuesday), a quick round of "Find It" gives them something to focus on and naturally brings their arousal level down.
Get the Whole Family Involved
Kids especially love hiding the treats. Let family members take turns setting up the course. Your Boston gets enrichment, and the kids get a genuinely fun job to do.
The Bigger Picture
A mentally stimulated Boston Terrier is a calmer, more content dog. Fewer zoomies at midnight. Less pawing at you for attention. Fewer chewed-up things you actually cared about.
"Find It" isn’t just a game. It’s one of the most accessible forms of enrichment you can offer, and it costs almost nothing.
Start with Step 1 this week. Seriously, just try it once. Toss a treat on the floor, say your cue word, and watch what happens.
You might be surprised how fast those enormous Boston eyes light up.