How To DIY a Dog Easter Egg Hunt for Your Pup

No need to overthink this fun bonding activity too much! You can approach an Easter hunt for dogs similar to the way you’d set up an event for kids.

“Think about fun, but also about safety and behavior,” says dog trainer Bradley Phifer, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KSA, CCPDT, based in Indianapolis. “The hunt should be fun for owners, as well as encourage dogs’ well-being and good behavior.”

Keep it simple and pick a familiar space your dog already knows. Phifer says this’ll keep your pup focused on the activity instead of distracted by new sights, smells, and sounds.

It also ensures safety, since you know the space inside and out. The area should be contained by a fence or walls.

It’s not an Easter egg hunt for dogs without some plastic eggs. If you want to keep it traditional, use large, sturdy plastic eggs.

“They should be too big to swallow, and safe for your dog to put in their mouth without breaking,” notes Shannon Kenny, CPDT-KA, a dog trainer at Michael’s Pack in Oakhurst, New Jersey. “Open containers, plastic cups, or small boxes could work too.”

If you use eggs, keep in mind that you will need to open them for your dog to give them the prize inside. Dogs should not be allowed to open their own eggs, because of the risk of them swallowing the whole egg or pieces of it.

Alternatively, you can hide smelly treats around the room without using eggs. This is a good idea if your dog tends to guard items, won’t readily drop objects, or gets possessive once they’ve found something. This keeps the game calm, safe, and stress-free rather than turning into a resource-guarding situation.

Fill the eggs with high-value treats that have a strong smell.

“This will be any food that your dog absolutely loves,” Kenny says. She says you can pair a small treat with a fun toy as well. But in order for them to sniff out the treat, it’ll need to have an enticing scent.

Keep it on theme with Tail Bangers Egg’stra Special Peanut Butter & Honey Assorted Crunchy Dog Treats or Blue Buffalo Springtime Bits Chicken Soft & Chewy Dog Treats.

For cute Easter dog toys, check out the Frisco Easter Bunny Egg Dog Toy and Frisco Easter Sweet Treat Bunnies Rope Toy. Phifer says you can also stick with toys your dog already knows and loves.

Do not fill eggs with chocolate, candy, or other unsafe foods for dogs.

Hide the treats and toys in easy, obvious spots at ground or nose level, especially if this is a new game for your dog. This ensures your dog will succeed quickly without causing frustration or stress.

“It may even be worthwhile to ‘hide’ a few out in the open so that your dog understands the goal of the game,” Kenny says. “Avoid hiding eggs too high, burying them, or placing them in unsafe areas or places your dog typically shouldn’t go. This game should be a fun confidence booster for your dog.”

Phifer says you can also give your dog a “find it” cue to signal it’s go time. As they get better, you can also gradually increase the difficulty over time. For example, Phifer suggests “hiding items behind furniture legs or trees; under the edge of a rug or under a rock; or in low, open containers.”

Stay with your dog as they search to help them uncover their treats, and to open the eggs for them. This keeps the activity safe by preventing your dog from chewing the egg and swallowing pieces. Allow them to enjoy their spoils once they find the hidden items, and give them positive praise for their good detective work.

“The best way to think about a dog egg hunt is a sniffing game,” Phifer says. “Dogs are hardwired to forage. When we lean into their natural behavior, activities can be both mentally satisfying and emotionally regulating.” An egg hunt for dogs is even something that can be done at any time of year.

Want to make your dog egg hunt a sure success? Follow these pro tips.

• Keep it short: “While egg hunts may last hours for children, less time is likely better for dogs,” Phifer says. “Even five to 10 minutes may be enough for most dogs, especially if they are new to sniffing games.”
• Make safety modifications: “If your dog refuses to drop items, resource- guards, or runs away with items, you must make safety modifications,” Kenny says. This could involve not using eggs at all, not leaving food inside the eggs, or putting your dog on a leash to do the activity.
• Keep it solo: Avoid planning the dog egg hunt at the same time as an Easter egg hunt for kids, and only have one dog hunt at a time. Too much going on at once can be overstimulating and may prevent you from keeping a close eye on your pup as they play.
• Less is more: To prevent overeating, one or two small treats per hiding spot is plenty. Small training treats or even bits of your dog’s regular food can work if they’re food-motivated.

And, again, make sure to supervise the entire activity closely. The goal is to help your dog win and to enjoy some Easter-themed bonding time together.