April Box Guide

Welcome to your Subscription Box Guide! This page will help you get the most out of your box, with detailed instructions, videos, and activity ideas tailored to your dog’s play style.

Spring Into Play

What’s Inside This Box

cbg box items

Items may vary based personalizations 

Treat To Do Ball

 

Toss it, roll it, bounce it, then pack it with treats for an instant enrichment win. The mix of textures adds a fun sensory layer while your dog explores, mouths, and plays.

Barnyard Buddy

 

Snuggle it close, give it a squeeze, and let the fun noises do the rest. This soft cow is made for cuddle-lovers, with a cozy plush feel plus a satisfying crinkle and squeak to keep your dog engaged without turning playtime into full-speed chaos.
 

Wool Bone

 

Chomp it, gnaw it, and carry it around, this wool bone is a whole new kind of “chewer” satisfaction. The natural wool brings a fresh texture and scent to explore.

Springtime Fabric Forage

 

Let your dog put his brain to work with Spot Crinkler Fabric Puzzles. A soft, whimsical, crinkly plush puzzle hides squeaky surprise pieces for your dog to dig in and sniff out. Add some treats to make it more fun!

Level 1

Image Box text

Level 2

Image Box text

Limited Ingredient Option

Single Ingredient Option

bubble relay

Bubble Relay + Cool Down Challenge

sccented toys

Scented Toy Hunt

The Activity

Bubble Relay + Cool Down Challenge

bubble games

Build safe, low-pressure movement + focus using bubbles as a “moving target.” Great for rainy days, confidence building, and adding a little joy to your enrichment menu.

  • Dog-safe bubbles (pet-safe solution only)
  • A non-slip, open space (rug, yoga mat, or carpet is ideal)
  • Optional: treats for breaks/rewarding calm observation
  • Use pet-safe bubbles and blow away from your dog’s face.
  • Avoid slippery floors (wet bubbles + tile = wipeouts).
  • Keep sessions short and stop if your dog is getting frantic, mouthy, or stressed.

Game 1: Bubble Chase

  1. Blow 1–2 bubbles a few feet away.
  2. Let your dog watch.
  3. If they pause and observe (even for a second), calmly say something like “Nice!” and toss a treat on the ground to keep arousal low.
You’re teaching: bubbles can be interesting without needing to explode into chaos.
  1. Blow a small cluster of bubbles moving away from your dog.
  2. Encourage with a soft cue like “Get it!” or “Bubbles!”
  3. Let them chase and pop at their own pace.
If your dog is hesitant: make it easier—blow fewer bubbles, closer to the ground, and farther away from their face.
Pick one pattern per session:
  • Side-to-side: blow bubbles left, then right to encourage turning and body awareness
  • Follow-the-leader: walk slowly and blow bubbles ahead of you so your dog tracks and follows
  • Up/down levels: blow some low near the floor, then a few higher (only if your dog isn’t jumping wildly)
Keep it smooth and slow—this is enrichment, not a sprint.
Every 20–40 seconds, pause:
  • Ask for a simple behavior like “Find it” (scatter 3–5 treats) for a sniff break
  • Then restart with a small bubble set
This prevents: overstimulation and keeps the game sustainable.

Easier

  • Fewer bubbles, slower pace
  • Treat for watching calmly
  • Play in a smaller space with less running room

Harder (only if your dog stays regulated)

  • Add a cue: “Wait… okay!” before you blow bubbles
  • Alternate: bubbles → “find it” → bubbles
  • Ask for a quick behavior between sets (touch, hand target, spin)

When to stop

End the game if you see:
  • frantic snapping, coughing/gagging, or repeated bubble-solution licking
  • slipping, wild jumping, or zoomies that don’t settle
  • stress signs (whale eye, lip licking, backing away)
Best finish: 1 easy bubble set → “all done” → sniffy treat scatter.

Game 2: Sit! And Bubble

  1. Ask for Sit.
  2. Mark/reward (or calmly praise) for success.
  3. Do 2–3 reps so your dog is in “training mode,” not “CHASE MODE.”

Why: If bubbles appear too soon, many dogs can’t think.

  1. Ask for Sit.
  2. Pause 1 second.
  3. Say your release cue: “Get it!” (or “Okay!”)
  4. Toss a treat forward on the ground.
  1. Ask for Sit (or Stay if your dog already knows it).
  2. Hold bubbles ready but don’t blow yet.
  3. Count 1–2 seconds of success.
  4. Say “Get it!”
  5. Immediately blow 2–4 bubbles out in front of your dog.
Let them chase/pop, then pause.
After each bubble set:
  • Scatter 3–5 treats (“find it”) or
  • Ask for a calm sit and reward
Then repeat for 3–6 rounds total.

“My dog breaks the sit as soon as they see the bubbles”

  • Make it easier: sit → treat (no bubbles) a few reps
  • Then: sit → release → bubbles with only 1 second of waiting
  • Hide bubbles behind your back until the sit happens

“My dog gets too wild / mouthy”

  • Use fewer bubbles
  • Reward watching bubbles instead of chasing
  • Do: sit → release → sniff scatter (skip bubbles for a round) → bubbles again

“My dog doesn’t care about bubbles”

  • Try blowing bubbles lower and closer to the ground
  • Pair with a treat toss after the release so it’s still rewarding
  • Use the bubbles as a “visual cue” while the treat is the payoff

Game 3: Cool Down Challenge

Where to store it

Keep the scented toy in a sealed bag or container so the scent stays strong and it doesn’t “perfume” your whole house.

How often to use it

  • Great for post-walk decompression
  • Great for rainy days
  • Great as a cool down after higher-energy play

If your dog tries to chew it

That’s info, not “bad behavior.”
    • Hold the toy, reward sniffing, then put it away
    • Use it as a “sniff target,” not a chew item
    • If you want, I can write a “chewers” modification blurb
  1. Let your dog watch you place 1 treat next to a cone.
  2. Release with a calm cue: “Find it.”
  3. When they get it, quietly praise and place the next treat.
Do 3–5 quick reps so they understand: cones = sniffing pays.
  1. Place a treat on the floor.
  2. Put a cone over it (so it’s easy to tip or nudge).
  3. Say “Find it.”
  4. Let your dog sniff, nudge, paw, or tip the cone to access the treat.

If they struggle, lift the cone slightly so they get the idea, then try again.

  1. Create a mix:
    • 1–2 treats under cones
    • 2–4 treats around cones (near the base)
    • Optional: a “blank” cone with no treat (later, for difficulty)
    Release: “Find it” and let them work.
When most treats are found:
  • Scatter the last 3–5 treats in a small area and say “All done”
  • Or invite a settle on a mat with one final treat

Easier

  • Keep treats visible (around the cone, not under)
  • Use higher-value treats
  • Keep cones closer together so scent is stronger

Harder (cool-down appropriate, not frantic)

  • Add more cones (6–10)
  • Add 1–2 “empty” cones
  • Place treats partially under the edge instead of centered
  • Increase distance between cones so they have to search

“My dog tries to grab/chew the cone”

  • Use heavier cones or swap to sturdy bowls
  • Reinforce sniffing: treat for nose touches before they mouth it
  • Keep sessions short and supervised

“My dog gets frustrated”

  • Make the next rep easier (treat beside cone)
  • Help once, then let them succeed quickly

“My dog is still too hyped”

  • Start with a treat scatter first, then cones
  • Use calm delivery: slow movements, quiet voice, fewer reps

2-Month Enrichment Calendar

Your Calendar of Ideas is your “done-for-you” enrichment plan. It gives you quick, realistic options you can rotate through the month using:
  • the scented toy from this box,
  • the hands-on activity included in the box,
  • and bonus games from the Barkive (so you’re never stuck wondering what to do).
The goal isn’t to do everything—it’s to make enrichment easy to start and easy to repeat.
calendar

How to Use the Calendar

Lite: 2–3 ideas per week

Steady: 4–5 ideas per week

Daily-ish: 1 small idea most days (5–10 minutes)

Aim for a simple balance across the week:
  • Sniffing (calming + brain work)
  • Food puzzles (problem-solving)
  • Movement/play (energy outlet)
  • Connection (training, cooperative care, bonding)
The calendar is designed to rotate these for you—so you’re not accidentally doing “high hype” activities back-to-back.
Some calendar squares reference Barkive games. That’s your “how-to library.”
  • If you see a Barkive game name: look it up and follow the step-by-step.
  • If you’re short on time: do the quick version (even 2 minutes counts).

The Scented Toy: What it’s for

The scented toy is a sniff anchor—a predictable, reusable way to add calming enrichment fast.

Think of it like: “When this comes out, we do sniffy brain work.”

  1. Ask for Sit.
  2. Mark/reward (or calmly praise) for success.
  3. Do 2–3 reps so your dog is in “training mode,” not “CHASE MODE.”

Why: If bubbles appear too soon, many dogs can’t think.

  1. Ask for Sit.
  2. Pause 1 second.
  3. Say your release cue: “Get it!” (or “Okay!”)
  4. Toss a treat forward on the ground.

Where to store it

Keep the scented toy in a sealed bag or container so the scent stays strong and it doesn’t “perfume” your whole house.

How often to use it

  • Great for post-walk decompression
  • Great for rainy days
  • Great as a cool down after higher-energy play

If your dog tries to chew it

That’s info, not “bad behavior.”
    • Hold the toy, reward sniffing, then put it away
    • Use it as a “sniff target,” not a chew item
    • If you want, I can write a “chewers” modification blurb
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