“Find It”: Give Your Dog a Job They Were Born to Do

Labs were built to use their nose. It's not just a cute party trick — scent work is literally in their DNA. And “Find It” is one of the easiest, most satisfying ways to tap into that natural drive and give your dog a real job to do. Whether you have a family companion or a hunting dog in training, this one command delivers big rewards. 🐾

Why “Find It” Is Such a Big Deal

Ten minutes of nose work tires a dog out more than a 30-minute walk. Seriously. Mental stimulation burns energy in a way that physical exercise alone can't match. For a lab that's been cooped up inside or is bouncing off the walls, a good Find It session can flip the switch from “chaos” to “calm” faster than almost anything else.

It also builds confidence, strengthens focus, and — for hunting dogs — sharpens the very instincts they'll use in the field come fall.

How to Teach It: Start Simple

You don't need fancy equipment. Start with high-value treats — something your dog really loves.

Step 1: The Easy Introduction

Let your dog watch you place a treat on the floor a few feet away. Point to it and say “Find it!” in an excited voice. When they go get it, celebrate like they just won a championship. 🎉

Repeat this 5–10 times until they understand the game. The goal right now is just connecting the words “Find it” with the action of using their nose to search.

Step 2: Add a Little Mystery

Once they get the concept, put your dog in a sit-stay (or have someone hold them) and hide treats in easy spots — behind a chair leg, under the edge of a rug, near a table foot. Release them with “Find it!” and watch that nose go to work.

Keep the hides easy at first. You want your dog to succeed quickly and build enthusiasm. A confused dog loses interest fast; a dog who finds it every time gets more excited with every round.

Step 3: Take It Outside

Now things get really fun. Scatter a handful of kibble in the grass and say “Find it!” Watch your dog work the entire yard, nose vacuuming every blade of grass. This is pure joy for a lab.

From here you can start hiding toys, specific objects, or even transition to finding a dummy or bird wing — which is exactly how hunting dogs start learning to mark and hunt fallen birds.

Ways to Use It Every Day

• Scatter their morning kibble in the backyard instead of using a bowl
• Hide a favorite toy and send them to find it before a play session
• Use it on rainy days when outdoor exercise isn't happening
• Hide treats around the house on a boring afternoon
• For hunting dogs: hide a scented dummy or frozen bird wing in cover and let them work it out

Tips for Success

• Always end on a win — don't hide it so well they give up
• Keep sessions short (5–15 minutes) — nose work is genuinely tiring
• Use the same cue every time so the word becomes powerful
• Let them problem-solve — resist pointing them right to the answer
• Your excitement is contagious — celebrate every find like it's a big deal