The Pride and Prejudice litter doing the box game

Today we did the first round of the Box Game. The whole purpose of the Box Game is teaching puppies how to learn.

When we train dogs later on, we’re usually asking for a very specific behavior or task. Before a puppy can learn commands, they first have to understand the concept that their actions can influence outcomes. That’s where the Box Game comes in.

In this exercise, we used a simple tin pan. At first, the puppies have no idea why they’re being rewarded. But every time they interact with the pan in some way, whether they touch it, step toward it, paw at it, or investigate it, they get a reward.

Before long, you can actually see the thought process starting. The puppies begin realizing, “When I interact with this object, good things happen.” And then they start experimenting and offering behaviors on purpose.

That’s the real goal of the Box Game. It is not about teaching the pan itself. It is about building problem solving skills, confidence, engagement, and the understanding that learning is something they can actively participate in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxIPC1UFUds