Game #12 · Brain & Foraging
Cardboard Box Shredding
Excellent sensory enrichment that satisfies natural tearing instincts.
- What you need:
- Clean, empty cardboard boxes (no tape or staples) and kibble.
How to play
- Toss a handful of treats inside a completely open box.
- Fold the top flaps of the box down loosely to hide the treats inside.
- Give the box to your dog and encourage them to rip it open.
- Clean up the shreds immediately after they finish eating.
Coach's notes
- Remove all tape, staples, and ink-heavy labels first.
- Supervise the whole session — never let a dog eat cardboard.
- Stack boxes inside boxes for advanced foragers.
- Skip this game for dogs with a history of eating non-food items.
If your dog loses interest
Quick fixes when engagement drops mid-session.
- Not interested? Rub a treat inside the box first so the cardboard itself smells rewarding.
- If they eat cardboard, stop and switch to a paper-bag version with treats inside.
- Losing interest usually means it's too easy — nest a smaller box inside for round two.
Why it works
Bekoff frames destructive-appearing play as legitimate cognitive rehearsal — dogs need outlets for evolved manipulate-and-dissect behaviors.
References
- [10] Bekoff, M. (2019). Unleashing Your Dog: A Field Guide to Giving Your Canine Companion the Best Life Possible. New World Library.
Which cognitive muscle is your dog's strongest?
Run the same science-based tasks from Duke in your living room and get your dog's full cognitive profile.