HQ Training Drill: Towel Catch - An Easy Game to Help Your Dog Wait

HQ has approved this training for Agents who enjoy snacks, towels, and pretending patience was their idea.

This one is called Towel Catch. It is easy to set up, works indoors, and gives your dog a nice little brain workout without needing half the living room converted into Crufts.

The aim is simple: your Agent waits while you drop or throw a few treats onto a towel, then moves when released.

What this drill helps with

This is not just a silly towel game, although it is definitely that too. It helps your dog practise:

• Waiting calmly
• Watching and listening
• Impulse control
• Moving only when released
• Playing a treat game without turning into a snack-powered tornado

What you need

• A towel
• A few small treats
• Your Agent
• A release word, such as “Go”, “Okay”, or whatever your dog already knows

1. Put the towel down

Place a towel on the floor. Nothing fancy. HQ does not require luxury linen.

2. Ask your Agent to wait

Ask your dog to sit, stand, or simply pause. Use whatever version of “wait” they already understand.

3. Drop a treat onto the towel

Start easy. Drop the treat gently onto the towel while your dog waits.

4. Release them

Use your release word, such as “Go”, then let them move to get the treat.

5. Build it up slowly

Once they understand the game, you can make it a little harder by dropping the treat from slightly higher, tossing it gently, or adding a second treat.

Commander notes

• Keep it short. A few good goes are better than a long session that turns into nonsense.
• Release early if your dog is about to break the wait. Set them up to win.
• Use tiny treats. This is a training drill, not a banquet with towel-based catering.
• If your dog finds it too exciting, make it easier. Less throw, shorter wait, calmer voice.
• Do not tease them. The point is practice, not frustration theatre.

Agent difficulty levels

Level 1: Recruit

Treat dropped gently onto the towel. Release straight away.

Level 2: Field Agent

Treat dropped or lightly tossed while your dog waits for one or two seconds.

Level 3: Elite Snack Operative

A slightly longer wait, then release. Still keep it fair. HQ likes brave Agents, not bewildered ones.

Try it with your Agent

Give Towel Catch a go this week and report back in the comments.

Did your Agent wait beautifully? Did they launch early? Did they look personally betrayed by the towel? All field reports welcome.

Try it with your Agent and leave a comment below to let HQ know how they got on.

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