The Muffin Tin Game

A lot of dogs don’t need complicated puzzles to stay engaged.

The muffin tin game is super simple.

Your dog has to figure out how to move objects, use their nose, and problem-solve to access their food.

This taps directly into natural scavenging behaviour — the kind of “dog stuff” they’re wired to do.

And the best part?
You probably already have everything you need.

What You’ll Need

• A muffin tin (standard or mini)

• Small treats or your dog’s kibble

• Objects to fill or cover the holes

  • Tennis balls

  • Toys

  • Crumpled paper

  • Socks

How to Set Up

• Drop food into the muffin cups

• Add your items

• Place it on the floor in front of your dog

💡 Pro Tip: If your floors are slippery, use a rug, mat, or towel underneath to keep it from moving around — this makes it much easier for your dog to interact with.

For Beginners

• Start with just food in the cups before adding objects

• Add a few covers at a time

• Use small items they can easily nudge out with their nose

• Let them see you place the food in

When to Use It

• Before walks to take the edge off

• During busy times (cooking, calls, guests)

• Rainy or low energy days

What to Watch For

You’ll start to see:

• Sniffing and searching

• Nudging, pawing, or lifting objects

• Trying different strategies

• Staying engaged longer over time

Some dogs dive right in.
Others take a minute to figure it out.

Both are exactly what we want.

If It’s Not Working

If your dog walks away or gives up, it’s usually not a motivation issue — it’s a setup issue.

• Too hard → simplify it

• Not interested → increase food value or make rewards easier to access

• Flipping it → often frustration, so make it easier and slower

Start simple.

Enrichment should be fun — not frustrating.