Towels & Treats

Some of the best enrichment setups are the ones you can throw together in under a minute—and actually use every day.

Hiding treats in a folded towel is one of those go-to activities that is perfect for beginners. It’s simple, flexible, and works for a wide range of dogs—from young puppies just figuring things out to adult dogs who need something to do that isn’t bouncing off the walls.

What You’ll Need

• A towel or bedding (old clothes work fine too)

• Small treats or your dog’s kibble

How to Set Up

• Fold the towel a few times or lay it out flat

• Sprinkle a few treats, then fold the towel over to cover the food

As your dog gets the hang of it, you can:

• Add more folds

• Roll the towel up

• Tuck treats deeper into the layers

• Add a second towel or snuffle mat on top or below

💡 Pro Tip: If they give up quickly, it’s usually too hard—or they’re just not sure yet. Make it easier first, then build the challenge in small steps.

For Beginners

• Start by placing a few treats right on top of the towel so your dog can see and eat them

  Fold the towel and let them watch you place treats near the edges

  Gradually add more folds and tuck treats further in as they gain confidence

When to Use It

• Meal times

• 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, and 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.

• Giving Up → simplify it

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

Start simple.

Enrichment should be fun — not frustrating.