Fun Finds: Game, Set, Muffin Tin Match!

After reading columnist Liz Palika‘s article “Archer wins the muffin tin game!” I recruited Mason and Uncle Walter to play.

Ingredients: 1 muffin pan, 12 tennis balls and 12 treats.

Walter has allergies so for treats, I used his kibble. Walter loves his food and so does Mason so I knew neither of them would mind one bit! I dropped a piece of kibble in six of the pan’s wells and placed a tennis ball in each of the 12 wells. Then, I put the pan in the backyard and called the boys.

Walter has a very healthy appetite so I thought he go for it without any prompting but at first they both didn’t really get the game. The tennis balls were brand new so perhaps their smell was masking the kibble, which isn’t exactly the most “high-value” (read: stinky) treat.

I lifted the tennis balls and let both of them sniff the kibble underneath. Then, I stood back again and watched them go to town!

It was fun to see how each of them went about hunting for the treasures during their turn at the game. Walter used his paws while Mason used his nose to nudge the tennis ball out of the pan.

I found the “muffin tin game” to be an easy, fun and low-to-no-cost way to get dogs of all ages involved in a tasty problem-solving activity. Both Walter and Mason really got into the game so we’re giving it two thumbs and two paws up!