Nominate at least one child as the searcher, and other as the bomb hider. Give the child who is doing the hiding an egg timer, which should be set to go off, bomb-like in ten minutes or more. Place the timer alongside a meaty chew in medium-sized box, or wrap up both in parcel paper. If you dog is the Hound of the Baskervilles type, it may be useful to loosely tie up the box or parcel with string.

Ask the search to show the box or parcel to your dog, gently placing it close to one of his ears so that he can hear the ticking and then restrain him behind a dog gate or on the lead. The child who is doing the hiding can then take the bomb and put it in a secret place.

In the first game, as your dog is learning, the box or parcel should not be too difficult to locate. Later when he has understood what is required of him, the children can make the location more difficult to find.

When the searcher and the newest recruit to your bomb-disposal team are ready, release the dog. The searcher should instruct the dog to find the bomb, putting a lot of emphasis on “bomb” to help him associate the world with this particular game.

If your dog starts looking in the wrong places, tell the searcher to draw him away in the correct direction with the training whistle. Repeat “Find the bomb” and sound the clicker or praise him as soon as he is searching in the right place.

Once your dog closes in on the pretend bomb, begin to encourage him verbally. When he finally discovers its whereabouts, let him have the box or parcel and see how long he takes to open it up. Try to stop the alarm from going off as the doggy hero tucks into his meaty chew. Once the game has been successful, everyone should retire for a celebratory snack. Since you have been saved, proceed to sign with relief and enjoy the rest of the day.