If your dog prefers toys, use the toy itself as part of the game. A chance to find it, carry it, or play with you can be more interesting than another food puzzle. These five activities fit in one room and let you vary the challenge without adding speed.
1. Give a toy a name
Pick a toy your dog already brings to you. Say its name once, then present it and play briefly. Later, set it on a mat and say the name as your dog goes toward it. Add a second toy only after the first name reliably draws their attention.
2. Offer a carry route
Put the toy beside your dog’s bed and leave a clear route to a second mat. Walk there together and see whether your dog carries it along. Some dogs want to bring the toy back. Others prefer to keep it on the mat. Either response can tell you what kind of play to offer next.
3. Play a gentle tug-and-pause game
Offer a long, soft toy and keep your movements slow. Pause frequently and see if your dog chooses to reengage. If they walk away, give them a break. If your dog stiffens over toys or guards them, choose an activity that does not require taking the toy back and seek professional guidance.
4. Hide the toy behind a low obstacle
Let your dog watch you put a familiar toy behind a cushion. When they find it, let them carry it or offer a brief play session. Change the obstacle before increasing the distance. In a small apartment, the same corner can provide several different searches.
5. Let your dog choose the game
Set out a soft toy and a tug toy with some space between them. Offer a short round of the game that matches the toy your dog approaches. Swap their positions next time. If they ignore both, end the round and try again when they initiate play.
Keep the setup quiet
Use soft toys that are appropriately sized and intact. Supervise play, especially with dogs that pull apart fabric. If a game turns into skidding or loud pouncing, shorten the distance or switch to stationary play. Reward-based training can use play and toys as rewards when your dog values them. See AVSAB’s explanation of reward-based methods.