Editor's Note: This article was written by a Certified Fear Free trainer. At Wild Pack, every approach we share is instinct-led, nervous-system-first, and rooted in fear-free training.
If your terrier digs up the garden, shreds every squeaky toy, and stares down squirrels like it's their life's work, nothing is wrong. That's a terrier doing exactly what they were bred to do.
Terriers were built to find, chase, and dig out small animals. That drive doesn't switch off just because they live on a couch now. The right terrier games give it a healthy place to go, so you get a more settled dog and fewer surprise holes in the yard.
Below are six ideas built around what terriers love most. Some are simple on purpose: the best enrichment is the kind you'll actually do, and a few easy minutes a day add up.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Why Terriers Need the Right Kind of Games
Scent Games for Terriers
Dig, Chase, and Shred Games
Helping Your Terrier Settle After Play
Ready to Go Deeper Into Scent Work?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Key Takeaways
Terriers were bred to hunt small animals above and below ground, so the best terrier games involve sniffing, chasing, digging, and shredding.
Scent games give terriers a calm way to use their hunting drive, and research links nose work to more optimistic dogs.
Use the same cue, such as "find it," every time so your dog knows the game is on.
Chase and tug games are exciting, so build in pauses and finish with something calm to help your terrier settle.
Terriers range from tiny to large, so adjust games to your dog's size, age, and energy.
Why Terriers Need the Right Kind of Games
The word terrier comes from the Latin terra, meaning earth. Most terrier breeds were developed in the British Isles to hunt rats, foxes, badgers, and other small animals, often following them into underground burrows. Some, like the short-legged Cairn and Scottish terriers, were built low to the ground for that work, while long-legged breeds like the Airedale worked more above ground.
That job description still shows up in everyday terrier behavior:
They have a strong prey drive. Squirrels, birds, and anything that scurries can be hard to ignore.
They dig. Gardens, beds, and couch cushions can all become burrows.
They're tenacious. Once a terrier decides something is worth pursuing, they stick with it.
They're independent thinkers. Terriers were bred to work underground without direction, so they often like to solve problems their own way.
They can be vocal. Barking helped working terriers signal where they were underground.
None of these are flaws. They're instincts looking for an outlet. When terriers get regular mental enrichment and chances to sniff, chase, dig, and problem-solve, they're usually calmer and easier to live with.
Scent Games for Terriers
A terrier's nose is a huge part of how they hunt. Scent games let them use that drive in a slower, more thoughtful way than chasing, which makes them a great counterbalance to high-energy play and one of the simplest forms of mental enrichment you can offer.
In a 2019 study from Barnard College, dogs that did two weeks of nose work became more optimistic, while dogs that practiced heelwork did not. Researchers credit both the sniffing itself and the chance for dogs to make their own choices during a search.
1. Find It
This is the foundation for every scent game that follows.
Ask your dog to wait, or have someone gently hold them, while they watch you place a treat a few feet away.
Bring them to the same starting spot each time, like a doorway or the edge of a rug.
Cue "find it" and let them go.
When they find the treat, that's their reward. Let them enjoy it right where it was.
Use the same cue every time. Once your dog is finding treats quickly, place one somewhere they can't see, like behind a chair leg.
2. Scent Trail
This one taps into a terrier's instinct to follow a track.
With your dog out of the room, lay a trail of small treats a foot or two apart across the floor.
End the trail with a small jackpot of three or four treats.
Bring your dog to the start, say "find it," and let them follow the trail to the prize.
As they get the hang of it, space the treats farther apart, add a turn or two, or take the trail outside onto grass.
3. Find the Critter
Terriers love a hunt that ends with a catch. Think of it as hide and seek with a squeaky prize at the end.
Pick a soft squeaky or plush toy, your dog's "critter."
Rub a strong-smelling treat on it, then hide it under a loose pile of blankets or towels.
Cue "find it" and let your dog dig and sniff their way to it.
When they find it, celebrate and offer a quick game of tug as the reward.
Start with the toy barely covered. Over time, add more layers or hide it in a different room.
Want to go deeper with scent games? Download our nosework 101 guide.
Dig, Chase, and Shred Games
These three let your terrier use their body and their hunting instincts, with some structure built in.
4. The Dig Box
If your terrier digs where they shouldn't, give them somewhere they can.
Fill a sturdy storage bin, kiddie pool, or sandbox with sand, soil, or balled-up towels. Bury a few treats or a favorite toy just under the surface, then invite your dog to dig them out. Bury things a little deeper as they get the idea.
When you catch your terrier digging somewhere else, calmly redirect them to the box and reward them for digging there. Over time, the dig box becomes the place to go.
5. Flirt Pole
A flirt pole is a toy on the end of a rope attached to a stick, and it's tailor-made for a terrier's chase instinct.
Drag the toy along the ground in wide arcs, like prey scurrying away.
Let your dog chase it, then let them catch it often so the game stays satisfying.
Every so often, stop moving the toy and ask for a "drop it" or "sit." When they respond, start the chase again as the reward.
Those pauses are the secret. They teach your terrier to switch from excited to focused and back again, which is a valuable skill for a high-drive dog. Keep sessions to a few minutes, keep the toy low to avoid jumping and twisting, and skip it on hard or slippery surfaces.
6. Shred Box
Many terriers love to rip things apart. A shred box gives them something they're allowed to destroy.
Stuff a cardboard box with crumpled paper, then scatter treats inside. Close the flaps loosely and let your dog tear in to find the food. For a bigger challenge, put smaller boxes or paper rolls inside the big one.
Stay nearby while they play, and pick up the pieces afterward. The goal is shredding, not swallowing.
Helping Your Terrier Settle After Play
Chase, tug, and shredding games are exciting, and terriers can go from zero to full speed fast. Coming back down can take a little longer. Helping your dog shift from excited to calm is just as important as the game itself.
Build in pauses. Short breaks for a "drop it," "sit," or a sniff break help your terrier practice turning the excitement down, not just up.
End with something calm. After a high-energy game, finish with a few minutes of Find It, a scatter of treats in the grass, a lick mat, or one of their puzzle toys. Sniffing and licking both help dogs settle.
Keep sessions short. A few minutes of chase or tug is usually plenty. Stopping while your dog is still keen keeps the game fun without tipping into over-arousal.
Watch the signs. If your terrier starts nipping, barking frantically, or ignoring cues they usually know, that's a sign they're over threshold. Pause, switch to a sniffing game, and try again another time.
Adjusting for size and age. Terriers range from tiny breeds like the Norfolk to large ones like the Airedale. Smaller and short-legged dogs do best with ground-level games, while larger terriers can handle more running. For puppies and seniors, keep sessions shorter, lean on scent games, and check with your vet before adding anything more physical.
Ready to Go Deeper?
If your terrier lit up during a scent game, download our Wild Scent Ritual Guide for more scent rituals to try at home.
Read more about mental enrichment games, what nosework is and dog scent games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What games do terriers like to play?
Most terriers love games that tap into their hunting roots: sniffing out hidden treats, chasing a moving toy, digging, tugging, and ripping things apart. Scent games, flirt poles, dig boxes, and shred boxes are all great fits.
How do I stop my terrier from digging?
Digging is hardwired, so it's easier to redirect than to stop. A dig box gives your dog an approved place to dig, and regular scent games help meet the same need for a good hunt.
Why does my terrier destroy toys?
Shaking, tearing, and ripping are natural parts of a terrier's hunting behavior. Rather than fighting it, give them safe outlets like a shred box or sturdy tug toys, and always supervise so they don't swallow pieces.
Are there dog sports for terriers?
Yes. Earthdog lets short-legged terriers and dachshunds navigate underground tunnels to find quarry in a way that's safe for both dog and animal. Barn Hunt, open to all breeds, has dogs search for rats safely enclosed in tubes hidden among straw bales. Both are great ways to channel a terrier's instincts in a structured setting. Many terriers also thrive on agility courses, where their speed and problem-solving get a workout.
How much exercise does a terrier need?
It depends on the breed and the individual dog. Larger, high-energy terriers often need plenty of daily activity, while smaller breeds may be happy with shorter walks and play sessions. Mix physical play with scent games and puzzle toys so your terrier gets both kinds of exercise.
Sources
The Terrier Group: Planet Earthdog, American Kennel Club
About Barn Hunt, Barn Hunt Association
Let Me Sniff! Nosework Induces Positive Judgment Bias in Pet Dogs, Duranton and Horowitz, Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2019)
Nose Work Is Scentsational for Dogs, Fear Free Happy Homes
