Easter can bring additional time off work and the daily grind, making it the perfect opportunity to engage your dog’s brain, burn off energy, and build better behaviour through fun, seasonal activities. With a little creativity, you can turn this time into a rewarding training and enrichment experience for your dog.
Why Enrichment Matters (Especially During the Holiday Season)
Holidays often disrupt your dog’s routine—more visitors, new smells, tempting food, and unfamiliar objects. Without proper stimulation, dogs can become bored, anxious, or overly excitable. Similarly to Christmas time, this often brings a rise in behaviour calls where dogs have acted out of character.
Enrichment activities help to:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Prevent destructive behaviour
- Build confidence
- Strengthen your bond
The best part is, your dog won’t even realise they’re “training”—they’ll just think it’s playtime.
1. The Easter Egg Hunt (Dog Edition)
Swap chocolate eggs for dog-safe treats and create your own backyard (or indoor) hunt.
How to do it:
- Use plastic eggs or small containers (with holes for scent)
- Fill them with kibble or treats
- Hide them around your home or garden
- Encourage your dog to “find it!”
Training bonus:
This taps into your dog’s natural sniffing instincts and builds focus. You can also reinforce recall by calling them back between finds.
2. Turn Treats into a Puzzle
Instead of handing out treats, make your dog work for them (you can also do this with their daily food allowance)
Ideas:
- Wrap treats in a towel and let your dog figure out how to unroll it (to make it extra hard, freeze it!)
- Create “foraging” experiences in various environments- long grass/ dig boxes
- Hide treats inside cardboard boxes for a safe “destruction session”
Training bonus:
Improves problem-solving skills and encourages calm, independent play.
3. “Leave It” Training with Easter Temptations
Easter is full of distractions—food, decorations, and dropped snacks. This is the perfect time to practise impulse control.
Simple exercise:
- Place a treat on the floor
- Say “leave it”
- Reward your dog when they ignore it and look at you
Gradually increase difficulty by using more tempting items (but always keep it dog-safe).
Training bonus:
This command can prevent dangerous situations, especially around foods like chocolate.
4. Scent Games: The Ultimate Brain Workout
Your dog’s nose is their superpower—put it to use!
Try this:
- Hide treats in different rooms
- Let your dog watch at first, then increase difficulty
- Add a cue like “go find!”
Training bonus:
Scent work builds confidence, tires your dog out mentally, and is perfect for rainy Easter weekends.
5. Structured Play Sessions
With all the excitement of the holiday, structured play can help keep your dog balanced.
Ideas:
- Short fetch sessions with rules (sit before throw)
- Tug games with a clear “drop it” cue
- Obstacle courses using household items
Training bonus:
Teaches your dog to stay calm and responsive, even when excited.
Keep It Safe and Positive
While you’re having fun, don’t forget:
- Avoid chocolate and sugary treats
- Supervise your dog with small objects or toys
- Watch for signs of overstimulation (zoomies, barking, restlessness)
If things get too hectic, give your dog a quiet space to relax.
Final Thoughts
Easter is a chance to do more than spoil your dog—it’s an opportunity to enrich their mind, reinforce good behaviour, and create positive experiences together.
A few simple games can go a long way in keeping your dog happy, calm, and mentally fulfilled, and also provides a chance for the entire household to get involved.
