Chase & Treat Training Manual

Keep It Fun and Safe

The Chase & Treat is for supervised play only. Never leave your dog alone with it. After each play session, store it out of reach to maintain its value as a reward.

Cleaning

Your Chase & Treat may get dirty over time, and that's OK! Hand wash, then air dry. For debris in the Velcro, a quick brush with an old toothbrush works wonders.

How to Get Started with the Chase & Treat

The Chase & Treat is designed to engage your dog’s mind while making training fun. Follow these steps to get the most out of it:

Step 1: Introduce the Chase & Treat
Open the Chase & Treat and place a couple of tasty treats inside. Keep the ball in your hands and invite your dog to investigate and get the treats.
Step 2: Let them figure it out
Close the Chase & Treat but only a little and let your dog work out how to open it. You can resist the urge to help them - this is all part of the learning process!
Step 3: Bring it to the ground
Once your dog is comfortable opening the ball in your hands even when it's fully closed, place it on the ground and invite them to get the treat. Make sure any other treats are hidden so they focus only on the Chase & Treat.
Step 4: Add some distance
Next, fill and close the Chase & Treat and place it on the ground. Ask your dog to wait (or gently hold on to their harness if that's comfortable for them) while you throw it a few meters away. Release them to chase and open the ball. If they don’t race to it right away, shorten the distance and try again. Gradually increase the distance as they get more confident.
Step 5: Test for Training Readiness
Now, try a basic "stay" or hold your dog back before tossing the Chase & Treat. If they race to it and get their reward, they’re ready for full training sessions with the ball. If they hesitate, go back to an earlier step and practice more.

Top Tips:

Take your time. Some dogs may need more practice at each stage.
Always keep sessions short and fun to avoid frustration.
Use the Chase & Treat as a reward tool for training sessions once they’re comfortable with it.

Fun Ways to Play with Your Chase & Treat

Hide & Seek
Fill the Chase & Treat with treats and hide it around the house. Start easy, then increase the challenge as your dog gets better at finding it.
Confidence Builder
Help your dog build confidence around unfamiliar sounds by hiding the Chase & Treat in a noisy box of crumpled paper or plastic. This gives them a fun way to explore new sensations.
Play Fetch
Throw the Chase & Treat a short distance, let your dog fetch it, and enjoy the reward inside. In time, they’ll learn to bring it back to you for a refill.
Mealtime Enrichment
Use the Chase & Treat to turn mealtime into a game! Hide it in different spots and encourage your dog to sniff it out.
Trick Training
Use the Chase & Treat as a jackpot reward during trick training. After a successful attempt, throw it as a reward to keep your dog motivated and excited.