Decorate the halls with sprigs of holly, fa la la… Oh, hold on. It’s time for an Easter canine, not a Santa dog.
I’m aware, my puns are worse than dad humor, but I promise I excel at organizing Easter egg hunts for dogs.
Allow me to demonstrate that to you and guide you on how to organize an Easter hunt for your canine, as well.
Prepare The “Prey”
Eggs, gather!
Sadly, it doesn’t go that way (unless you possess a magic wand), so you’ll need to handle everything on your own or recruit a few helpers from your family who are eager to assist.
I enjoy setting up egg hunts with plastic eggs as they’re adorable and vibrant. You can easily stuff them with your dog’s favorite snacks, peanut butter, or opt for healthier choices like apple slices and blueberries.
Be aware that if you use plastic eggs without holes, ensure to create one, so your dog can locate it more effectively.
Per the AKC’s article, plastic eggs can pose a choking risk, particularly for dogs with strong jaws that could break the egg and ingest shards.
READ MORE: All About The German Shepherd Bite Force
Thus, if you’re uncertain that your pooch won’t damage it, I’d advise you to forgo the plastic eggs entirely.
Plastic Egg Alternatives
However, do not despair yet. If you truly want to use eggs, you can simply opt for real ones, provided you hard-boil them first.
Hard-boiled eggs are safe for pups and are packed with important nutrients that contribute to your four-legged friend’s health. [1] You know the saying: An egg a day keeps the vet away.
If you’re not as enthusiastic about eggs as I am, you can conceal pieces of apples, carrots, blueberries, or any other items that will inspire your furry friend to search for them.
The third option is designated for pups that are heavy chewers. If you want to hide the treat but without using any eggs, you can achieve this by utilizing a canine toy with hidden compartments for dog treats.
Shoo, Sweetener, Shoo
Chocolate and sweets are delightful; we can all concur on that. If you have children or know anyone with them, you are aware these are their preferred treats for celebrations.
However, these treats are not suitable for dogs and should be avoided at all costs. Chocolate is extremely harmful for canines, and it could even be life-threatening [2], so ensure to keep the sugary treats away from them.
RELATED: How To Induce Vomiting In A Dog After Chocolate Consumption
Doggie The Explorer: Indoor Or Outdoor Edition?
Now that you have the Easter eggs/treats prepared, it’s time to select the setting and commence the celebration.
Essentially, you have two choices: your yard or your home.
I typically prefer the former, as my yard is enclosed and secure for the dog. Additionally, this makes for an excellent outdoor activity which I occasionally turn into a training session.
I actually taught my German Shepherd several essential commands by utilizing the Easter eggs outdoors, and he didn’t even notice since he was having so much fun.
Nevertheless, if you cannot arrange the Easter hunt outside, you can always conduct it indoors. Just ensure that you don’t place Easter eggs too high or near fragile items (you might want to relocate your beloved vases and china to a safer location).
Finding The Ideal Spot
One thing to keep in mind is that your dog does not have hands and cannot pick up objects to locate the Easter egg.
Thus, hiding spots should always be somewhere where the eggs are at least partly visible and easily accessible for your pooch.
I want you to learn from my blunders. The first time I hosted an Easter hunt for my pet, I foolishly hid one of the Easter eggs behind boxes in the garage, and my dog just stood there looking at me like:
To prevent this puzzled expression on your pup’s face, opt for locations that may seem obvious to you (such as beneath the table or beside the sofa), but will require your dog some time to uncover them.
Monitor The Pup
I genuinely believe my fence is sturdy, but I still prefer to keep my dog either on a leash or at least close to me to avoid him from consuming anything harmful.
A leash allows me to keep my pooch on the right path, so we don’t end up spending hours hunting for treats.
Dogs aren’t exactly conscious of their actions, and if you inform your pup you’re organizing an Easter hunt, that won’t hold much significance to him, which is why he can be easily sidetracked.
Instead of seeking eggs and treats, your dog could easily be distracted by his toys or chasing a butterfly (this has actually occurred to me once).
Of course… your dog, your rules. If you believe your pup will perform equally well without a leash, feel free to let him run around during the hunt independently, but I still recommend staying close and monitoring what he consumes, so you don’t find yourself at the vet’s office on Easter.
An Easter Hunt Is Not A Contest
I occasionally organize Easter hunts not just for my pup, but for my friends’ dogs as well, resulting in a delightful time for both us and our furry companions.
Nonetheless, I must confess that this often turns into a contest not between our dogs, but between us. We begin counting the eggs and treats our fluffy buddies collect and then guide them to find more. While this can be enjoyable, it typically ends with frowns.
Therefore, I suggest reminding yourself that this is purely a fun activity intended to be filled with laughter and positive vibes.
This approach will help your pup develop a fondness for the Easter hunt, transforming it into a cherished tradition.
The More, The Merrier
Don’t hesitate to invite people and their pets to your Easter hunt for dogs. This way, your pup will have an excellent opportunity to interact with other dogs and everyone will enjoy themselves.
I realize it can be challenging to manage everything on your own, but that’s what friends are for.
If you wish for your dog to hunt for Easter eggs and treats alongside his furry friends, yet aren’t certain whether you can organize it alone, don’t hesitate to ask for assistance.
I’m confident that other owners would be thrilled to join in organizing the gathering and provide you with the help you require.
Concluding Remarks
Easter bunnies, step aside… The Easter dog is coming to town!
If you had no clue how to host an Easter hunt for your dog, I hope I’ve demonstrated that I’m capable. Or at least better than my puns.
My utmost desire is for you to have a wonderful time with your pup and make the best of it.
If you’re curious about what an Easter hunt for canines looks like, check out the video below to see how well Milli, the havanese poodle mix, performed:
Happy Easter, fellow pet caregivers, and enjoy a pawsome holiday!
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15 Amusing Dog Memes To Wish You A Happy And Joyous Easter
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References:
1. Joy, Hector. (June 30, 2020.) “Can Dogs Consume Eggs?” PetMD Website.
2. Schmid, Renee, Brutlag Ahna. “Chocolate Poisoning in Dogs.” Retrieved March 26, 2023 from https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/chocolate-poisoning-in-dogs