Easter Egg Fun For Dogs (and Cats)!

Several years ago, a fellow volunteer at German Shepherd Rescue and Adoption told me about teaching one of the rescued dogs to hunt for Easter eggs. "He did an Easter egg hunt?" I'd asked incredulously. She went on to tell me that her own dogs loved hunting for Easter eggs too. She said that German Shepherds are so intelligent they easily learn the concept, and have lots of fun searching for the treat laden eggs.

Well, I couldn't resist. I had to try it. And what do you know? She was right - they DO enjoy Easter egg hunts! Lady caught on the very first time we played the game. It took Lucky a bit longer, but he quickly got the hang of it too. Lady and Lucky have been enjoying Easter egg hunts for several years now. I use those colorful plastic eggs that open, and put a treat or few bites of kibble in each egg. Then both dogs have to "sit" and "stay" in the kitchen while I hide them.

I hide them all around the living room, in nooks and crannies here and there - not too well hidden, but not too easy either.

Then I return to the kitchen, and with both dogs looking up at me with eager bright eyes, I pause for a moment before saying the magic words:

"Okay! Go find them!" 

Off they go like two dogs shot from a cannon, feet scrambling on the tile floor as they race each other to the living room. Then they're all business, running here and there, nosing under pillows and in plants. Lucky is good at finding the eggs hidden in the sofa cushions.

Watching them hunt for Easter eggs is great entertainment. Our new little Katie is not in any of the photos I took of last night's egg hunt because all the excitement and running around confused her. She got freaked out and retreated to the safety of the bedroom. I'm sure she'll get the hang of it too though, once she's seen it a few times. 

I imagine this might not work for all dogs. But Lady and Lucky are gentle with the eggs, stepping on them or biting them just enough to make them pop open so the treat falls out.

Within mere moments, the living room is transformed 

into an Easter egg wasteland. 

Important Easter Egg Hunt Rule: Save one Easter egg for the cat. After watching the dogs search for eggs on several occasions, Lucy began demanding her own Easter egg. You have to help her find it, and open it, but she enjoys it all the same!

Can we play again?

Hope everyone had a fun Easter!