At-Home Enrichment: Hide and Seek
At-Home Enrichment is a monthly series from the pros at The Dog Den & The Puppy Den! Each activity is designed to be easy, affordable, and fun — using simple household items and little-to-no "special" equipment. Because enrichment shouldn't be complicated... it should be something you can actually do on a busy day. 🐾
Looking for a game that's equal parts fun, exercise, and mental enrichment? This month's enrichment feature is Hide and Seek — a simple game that encourages your dog to use their nose, problem-solving skills, and love for their favorite people.
This activity is great for:
dogs who love interacting with their humans
rainy days spent indoors
practicing recall in a fun way
burning mental energy without a lot of space
Why We Love This Activity
We love this one because it:
encourages your dog to use their nose and natural searching instincts
strengthens the bond between you and your dog
provides both mental and physical exercise
Bonus: It requires almost no setup and can be played just about anywhere.
Supplies Needed
You'll need:
you (and/or other people your dog loves)
rewards your dog loves (treats, toys, or praise)
That's it!
How to Set It Up
Good news—there's no setup required for this game!
Simply gather your dog's favorite people and a few rewards, and you're ready to play.
Start Easy
If your dog is new to Hide and Seek:
hide in easy-to-find locations
call your dog enthusiastically
reward heavily when they find you
The goal is for your dog to quickly learn that finding people is the best game ever.
Level Up
Once your dog understands the game, you can increase the challenge:
hide in more difficult locations
spread out across multiple rooms
wait longer before calling your dog
have multiple family members participate
Pro tip: Make sure your dog is successful most of the time. A little challenge is great, but frustration can take the fun out of the game.
How to Play
Multiplayer Version
One person stays with your dog and keeps them distracted while everyone else hides.
Once hidden, one person calls your dog and encourages them to come find them.
When your dog succeeds, celebrate! Break out the treats, toys, praise, or all three. 🎉
After the celebration, let the next hidden person start calling your dog, and keep the game going.
Solo Version
Distract your dog with a few treats or their favorite toy.
While they're busy, sneak away and find a hiding spot.
Once hidden, call your dog and encourage them to find you.
When they do, throw a party! Then set up another distraction and hide again.
Some dogs become surprisingly good detectives once they realize how the game works. 😄
Estimated Play Time
5–20+ minutes depending on your dog's enthusiasm and how many rounds you play.
Safety Notes
Choose safe hiding spots that are easy for your dog to access.
Avoid encouraging jumping or climbing onto unstable furniture.
Keep the game positive and fun.
If your dog seems confused, make your hiding spot easier to find.
Remember: the goal isn't to trick your dog—it's to help them succeed and enjoy the search.
Hide and Seek is proof that some of the best enrichment activities are also the simplest. A few treats, a favorite human, and a fun challenge can go a long way toward making your dog's day a little more exciting.
Keep an eye out for next month's At-Home Enrichment feature!