If you have ever wished your dog could slow down, think things through, and make confident choices, Vito’s Thinking Game is one of my favorite brain games for dogs because it builds those skills beautifully. I discovered it in 2010 from Italian dog trainer Vito Cieca, who created the game, and I still believe every dog should have the chance to play it. It is simple, it is quiet, and it helps dogs figure things out in a way that feels joyful for both of you.
This is one of the best indoor games for dogs because the environment does most of the teaching. You set the stage, stay quiet, and reinforce thoughtful choices. Your dog begins to understand how their decision making shapes the game, and that awareness follows them into every other part of your training.
Why Dogs Love This Kind of Interactive Learning
1. Your dog builds confidence through choice
Vito’s Thinking Game gives your dog the chance to control the flow of reinforcement. Their movement keeps the game going. When dogs feel that sense of agency, confidence grows naturally.
2. It teaches dogs to think in motion
Dogs rarely stand still in real life. They are moving, sniffing, weaving around furniture or people. This is why I love using interactive games for dogs that encourage thinking while on the move. Vito’s Thinking Game strengthens that skill beautifully.
3. You become a more thoughtful trainer
Because you stay quiet, you begin noticing small details about how your dog processes a challenge. You learn when to pause, when to adjust the environment, and when your dog is about to make a breakthrough. These tiny observations help every other part of your training.
4. It turns problem solving into fun
As your dog begins to understand the pattern, the game becomes a gentle little puzzle. Many people who enjoy mental stimulation games for dogs are surprised at how quickly Vito’s Thinking Game becomes a favorite.
How to Play Vito’s Thinking Game
To get started with Vito’s Thinking Game, the most important thing to remember is that the environment does the teaching. Your job is to create a clear setup, stay quiet, and let your dog make the decisions. Silence is critical. If you are someone who naturally cheers your dog on, you may need to imagine there is duct tape over your mouth. This game works because the dog does the thinking, not because we prompt or encourage them.
Here is how to set the stage for success:
Step 1: Set Up the Environment
Choose the smallest, quietest room you have. If your home is open concept, block off a small section with baby gates or an ex-pen. You want the environment to be simple, calm, and free from distractions.
Sit on the floor if you can. Many people find it more comfortable to sit on a cushion or a small piece of foam. Lean your back against a wall or couch. This removes visual stimulation behind you, which helps your dog focus on the game rather than looking for exits, windows, or other dogs. If sitting on the floor is not comfortable for you, you can absolutely sit on a low stool. That small bit of elevation still keeps the game clear for your dog and makes it easier for anyone with mobility concerns to play.
Place your bowl of high value treats in your lap. I like to use a mix of different treats for this game. If your dog is very food motivated, it helps if they already have some experience with ItsYerChoice, because that little bit of understanding about leaving food alone will make the start of this game much easier. Next, set two empty bowls slightly forward of your hips, about six to eight inches out from your body. They should not be far away. Keep them close, because this distance will matter once the game begins.
Before you start, your dog should already understand the “Search” cue, since it helps create the warm up pattern.
Step 2: Warm Up With a Search Pattern
Once you sit down, your dog will likely come over to see what is happening. Begin with six to eight repetitions of “Search.”
Use your left hand to toss a cookie underhand to the left, several feet out and slightly angled. When your dog eats that cookie, immediately cue “Search” again and toss one to the right with your right hand. Continue this left, right, left, right pattern, making each toss progressively closer to you.
By the final repetitions, your dog should be returning almost directly to the area where the two bowls are placed.
This warmup builds a rhythm in your dog’s mind, and that rhythm is important. It sets the expectation of moving back and forth, and it allows the next part of the game to unfold smoothly.
Step 3: Begin the Thinking Game
Once your dog naturally arrives near the bowls, say nothing. Sit perfectly still. Avert your eyes from your dog. You can glance toward the next bowl if you need somewhere to look, but keep your body calm and neutral.
Quietly drop a treat into one of the bowls. When your dog eats it and then looks toward the other bowl, or takes a small step toward it, drop a treat into that second bowl. You are reinforcing your dog’s choice to go to the next bowl, not reinforcing attention on you.
This is important:
If the dog stops and looks at you, do not drop a treat.
That would accidentally reward your dog for checking in with you instead of thinking.
Allow the dog to work out the pattern of moving from bowl to bowl. The game becomes a gentle ping pong between bowls, driven by your dog’s decisions.
Step 4: Add the Obstacle
Once your dog is happily moving back and forth, place your small bathroom garbage can directly in front of your legs so it touches you. Now your dog cannot cut in front of your body. They must walk around the garbage can to reach each bowl.
Stay silent. Stay still.
Your dog will figure it out.
After several successful repetitions, move the garbage can forward just a few inches. Do not make a big change. The smallest adjustments are the most powerful in this game. Let your dog try this new version several times.
Gradually move the obstacle out farther. At some point, your dog will likely try to cut between the garbage can and your lap. When they do, withhold reinforcement. Do not move, do not talk, do not help.
Most dogs will try again. They might cut in a second time, or loop around, or pause to think. When they eventually return to going around the garbage can, reinforce that choice immediately.
This is where the true thinking happens.
The dog experiences a tiny failure, processes the pattern, and chooses the successful path.
If your dog cuts in repeatedly in the same direction, you can briefly move the obstacle closer again to reset clarity. This is not “helping.” It is protecting understanding so the dog can succeed thoughtfully.
Step 5: Support Your Dog Through Frustration
Every dog shows frustration differently. Some scratch. Some sniff. Some freeze. Some lie down and look stuck.
If your dog lies down, quietly move the obstacles a bit closer to make the next correct choice easier. You can shift the cookies in your hands slightly to create quiet movement that re-engages your dog’s interest without prompting.
If needed, you can gently help your dog stand back up, ideally by lifting at the ribs or using a harness. Then return to a slightly simpler version of the game and allow them to build confidence step by step.
Step 6: The Relaxation Phase
When you end the game, say your dog’s name and set your reward bowl aside. The next step is what Vito called the relaxation phase, and it is an essential part of the experience.
If your dog enjoys physical closeness, you can gently hold or hug them and wait for their breathing to settle. If your dog does not enjoy being held, use a raised bed and simply stroke them calmly. The point is to shift from working to relaxing.
Do not release your dog while they are struggling. Wait until their body softens. Over time, you can build this relaxation period to two, three, or even five minutes.
This teaches your dog that work is followed by calm, and that learning does not create restlessness or demand for more reinforcement.
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Join the Pre Cyber Event Party now to get the Skill Accelerator Series and be ready to take advantage of our special savings. It is also the perfect time to gift one of our online training programs to a friend.
Today, I Am Grateful
I am grateful for every moment a dog pauses, considers their options, and chooses with joy and confidence. Those moments remind me how capable our dogs truly are.
I’ve tried this a few times but I am seeing a training conflict… We’ve been working so hard on Tucker waiting to have permission to eat things off the ground that once I quit saying “search” he sometimes just looks at the treat. I can tell he’s confused. I’m a little worried that if I keep playing this game he’s going to backslide on his IYC training. Suggestions?
My 9 month old golden retriever is not a snuggler. We are learning Vito’s game and he is getting the hang of the thinking part, but he does not want to relax. Any suggestions to work though that?
Oh waaahhhh! I can’t figure this out from written instructions. Is there a Vito’s game video anywhere?
Susan has a podcast episode on it: Shaped By Dog – Episode 281: How Vito’s Thinking Games Will Transform Your Dog Training
Truly fun. My gsp is getting calmer towards neighbors and their dogs. We play outside deliberately as it’s been difficult to train outside due to Lil dog running over.
Mole hunting has my girl’s brain.
I’ve been waiting for this game My Aussie Tessa 15 months will really play nicely. My blue heeler 18 weeks Missie will probably be her hyper self and just want to eat. I think I should wait until that puppy stage clears somewhat. By the way she is a great barker and I used your solution of using a repetitive word. and within 3 uses she does down and sops barking. We’ve had her since age 10 weeks old and listened to bark more than Tessa has ever.
What a fun game. My 11 week old puppy got the hang by the 3rd session! He is much calmer afterwards. I can’t wait to do more of this game with him.
I just did my 3rd session of this game and it is so fun. I can’t believe how quickly my 11 week old puppy figured out the rules. The calm afterwards is wonderful!