Description
EggHunt™ by The ZooKeeper is a new, fun-filled, supervised Hide-N-Seek game that keeps dogs (and you!) entertained.
It’s a special problem-solving game for just about any breed of dog that exercises both the dog’s body and brain while also building excitement as they search. It’s amazing how quickly they learn the game and begin to search in areas you’ve hidden before.
- Stimulates your dog’s innate drives for scent tracking, hunting, and finding food, mimicking natural prey-chase behaviors.
- Boosts cognitive function by enhancing problem-solving abilities and memory recall, while also building self-confidence and improving the ability to focus.
- Strengthens the bond between humans and pups, provides necessary play and exercise, and prevents boredom and destructive behavior.
Pup Safety
- This is a supervised game. Do not hide EGG HUNT eggs for your Pup to find alone.
- EGG HUNT eggs are not chew toys and are hiding places for treats only.
- Pick up EGG HUNT eggs as they are found and opened; do not leave them alone with your pup.
- GAME TIP: As your Pup gets closer to a hidden EGG HUNT egg, use the words “Hot” “Hot” “Hot” – and as your Pup moves away from the hidden egg, use the words “Cold” “Cold” “Cold.” These verbal cues will help your Pup know when they are moving towards or away from the treasure. Your Pup will quickly learn that “Hot” means they are close to the treasure, and “Cold” means they are going the wrong way. These “Hot/Cold” verbal cues also come in handy in other situations when they are trying to find a lost toy.
Basic Instructions – For Maximum Enjoyment
- Get your EGG HUNT eggs ready for play. We recommend between 2-8 EGG HUNT eggs per game. Your Pup will let you know the right number of eggs; if it’s too many, they get mentally fatigued and want to give up… and you may forget where you hid them!
- Load each EGG HUNT egg with one of your Pup’s favorite treats. It’s encouraged to let your Pup watch the process as it adds to the excitement. Your Pup will learn quickly that the fun is about to begin!
- Instruct your Pup to “wait/stay” in a room or area away from the hunting grounds. You can build their enthusiasm by saying, “get ready” as you leave; which also lets them know you’ll be coming back soon.
- Hide the EGG HUNT eggs. When first starting, you may want to hide the eggs in plain sight until your Pup gets the hang of the game. Once your Pup understands the game, you’re ready to start hiding them in not-so-easy places. As your Pup masters the hiding locations, you can graduate to scent-only hiding places.
- Now that your EGG HUNT eggs are hidden, go to where your Pup is waiting. When you release your Pup, use the command “Find It” so that your Pup knows the game has begun!
- Celebrate and encourage your Pup’s attempts to find the hidden EGG HUNT eggs during the game by repeating the command “Find It”. Your interaction will help keep your Pup focused and motivated.
- Once your Pup finds the treat, sing their praises and let them enjoy the reward. Pick up the empty EGG HUNT egg and instruct them again to “Find it”… and the fun continues.
- GAME TIP: Mix it up. Consider adding complexity to the game as your Pup gets more skilled. Choose scent-only (out of sight) locations where they have to rely on their nose and your “Hot/Cold” hints. If they lose enthusiasm, your hiding spots may be too difficult, or not hard enough. Adjust the level of difficulty based on how your Pup reacts and engages in the game. Also, consider changing up the treats inside the EGG HUNT eggs. Rotate gameplay between indoor and outdoor hunting areas. Your goal is to keep your dog active and engaged the entire time.
- Never punish or interfere with your Pup while playing the game. Remember, it’s your Pup’s game and you want to make it a fun learning experience.
- HINT: Never reinforce unwanted behaviors such as door scratching, jumping on people, climbing, etc. If your Pup wants to play, they need to show manners and self-control.
