Box with rolled up and shredded paper to demonstrate destruction box

How to make a destruction box

A destruction box keeps your dog's brain busy using some simple scent work.

Looking for a new way to keep your dog entertained? Putting together a destruction box is simple and cheap to do. Whether you're looking for a calm game on a hot day or want to shake up their enrichment routine, your dog will love digging out their favourite treats.

Note

Treats should be given occasionally and alongside a well-balanced diet. If you need to, adjust your dog's meal size accordingly after giving them a destruction box.

What you'll need:

  • Empty cardboard box – a shoe box is an ideal size, but this will depend on the size of your dog
  • Newspaper or scrap paper
  • Empty egg container
  • Tasty bite-size treats

How to make your dog a destruction box

  1. Get your cardboard box and make sure it's empty
  2. Get some newspaper or scrap paper and shred enough of it to fill at least half the box.
  3. Scrunch up the remaining paper into rolls and mix it in with the shredded paper to fill the box to the brim
  4. Pop some treats in your empty egg container and bury this in the paper, somewhere in the middle of the box
  5. Scatter some treats in the rest of the box, making sure to keep some of them more hidden
  6. Once you've closed the box, let your dog into the room to investigate and dig out the treats

If you feed your dog dry food, you can hide some or all of their food in the box. This will make meal times much more interesting.

Note

Supervise your dog at all times to make sure that they are not swallowing any pieces of paper.

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Reviewed

• 23 January 2024

Next review

• 22 January 2027

Claire crouching next to her white staffie dog
Approved by
Claire Stallard

Animal Behaviourist ABTC-CAB