(Mommy’s Note: This game is a fun way to challenge your dog while practicing the supervised Sit-and-Stay and Come commands.)
This game requires at least two people, plus a favorite toy or treat.
One person puts the dog in a sit-stay, and remains with the dog to make sure he or she doesn’t cheat by tiptoeing after the hider.
The hider finds a good spot, like in a closet or behind a door, and calls or whistles for the dog to come and find the hider. (Or squeaks if the hider is carrying a squeaky toy.)
The person staying with the dog releases the dog from the sit-stay, and then encourages the dog to go find the hider. This may take some coaching at first, walking along with the dog, opening doors and suggesting hiding places to check out.
When the dog finds the hider, the people should make a big deal out the success: clap, whistle, praise the dog and give pets. If the hider has a treat, reward the dog with that. Or if the hider is carrying a toy, reward the dog with a quick game of tug, or fetch, or whatever.
Repeat, using different hiding places, until the dog can find the hider without any help or encouragement from the second person.