Exercise and play
What is the find it game for dogs?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Find it involves saying the cue "find it" and scattering treats across a room, garden, or snuffle mat for a dog to hunt down using its nose. It builds scent skills, burns mental energy, and works as a calming activity, since sniffing lowers a dog's heart rate compared with more excitable games like fetch.
How to start
Say "find it" and toss a few treats within easy sight on the floor, letting the dog watch and search initially, then build up by scattering treats across a wider area or hiding them slightly out of view as the dog gets the idea.
Taking it outdoors or into difficulty levels
Scattering treats across grass, tucking them into the base of bushes, or hiding them in a pile of leaves all raise the challenge and turn a short garden session into a genuinely tiring scent hunt.
Why it suits anxious or excitable dogs particularly well
Sniffing activates a calming part of a dog's nervous system, which is why find it often works well both to burn energy in an excitable dog and to settle an anxious one, unlike higher arousal games such as tug or fetch.
Key takeaways
- Find it uses scattered treats and a dog's nose, building scent skill and burning mental energy.
- Difficulty can rise gradually from an easy indoor version to a hidden outdoor hunt.
- Sniffing has a calming effect, making this a good choice for both excitable and anxious dogs.