These games help the dog think through a situation and engage.

Nose work is the number one confidence builder in any hunting breed but especially a Griffon. You have to understand this breed is Nose first. They are versatile hunting dogs but I think many who are highly eye driven are the ones I see with behavioral problems.

Working all play by Ending on a search game will help this tremendously. So if you play ball or “soccer” end that game by having him  find something.

The following is a kit I don’t want you to purchase this kit instead it’s just a guide to what they use.
I personally cannot stand the smell of the V word or myurr. I use exclusively Birch oil or Anise.
The kit you will see a little tin can these can be purchased inexpensively on Amazon for like 30 for $8. You will have to punch holes in the top. Then get Qtips and those get a drop or two of the oil and are placed in the tin then hidden.

You can present the tin to him let him SNIFF IT. And be sure you hear an audible sniff then reward at the source. This means you turn the back of your hand over the tin and give a food reward like that. Do this maulybe 5-10 times. Each time after you reward place the tin behind your back and present it again to get that sniff.
You can get a small magnet so it will stick to metal and make things a bit challenging.
Once you have done the lead up. Now hide the tin. Put him on his place bed. Hide the tin out of sight but in an easy area the first time or two. Then walk back to the bed and say your word. I say Search.
Let him get off and you stand away from the area and watch. The second he gets to the tin you place your back of your hand on the tin and give a high value reward. Then you just build on the distance and difficulty of the “find”.

Leerburg UKC Nosework Kit 

Agility is a fantastic confidence builder. Going through tunnels and over jumps helps dogs think through what you want and execute it. This helps build an independent thinker, and a dog who can learn how to make good choices on their own.

Barn Hunt is an exciting and rapidly growing dog sport that taps into your dog's natural instincts to search and locate hidden rats. It's designed to be fun, mentally stimulating, and accessible for dogs of all breeds and ages.

Barn Hunt Benefits:

Mental stimulation:  Engages your dog’s natural instincts and their ability to analyze the situation and find the scent.

Physical exercise:  Barn Hunts are a mashup of agility obstacles and nose work games. The dog will go through tunnels and up and over hay bales to find the scent of the rat.

Behavior improvement:  Barn Hunts provide an outlet for your dog’s natural instincts to shine and provide an opportunity for the dog to use its problem-solving skills. All wrapped up in a structured event that improves your dog’s behavior, reduces anxiety, and builds impulse control.

Bonding: Barn Hunts provide an opportunity for you to strengthen the bond with your dog through teamwork and communication.

This sport especially benefits hunting dogs by improving their ability to search for scent. All dogs can enjoy and benefit from the sport.

Both Nina Ottosson puzzles by Outward Hound and snuffle mats are fantastic tools for enriching your dog's life. They provide mental stimulation, help alleviate boredom, and can even reduce anxiety.

Nina Ottosson puzzles by Outward Hound are designed to challenge your dog's mind and encourage problem-solving skills. They come in various difficulty levels, catering to dogs of all intelligence levels.

Snuffle mats mimic the natural foraging behavior of dogs, encouraging them to use their sense of smell to find hidden treats. They are excellent for slowing down fast eaters, providing mental stimulation, and reducing anxiety.

This is exposing the dog to specific stimuli that would normally trigger it, and works the dog through the process of letting that trigger go.

This is not flooding.

This is a process in which we build the dog up to a point where, when brought to an area where the trigger is the greatest, the dog has already had enough exposures at a lower level to have built new habits and be fully ready for that last step. This training is powerful and truly builds a strong association and lets the dog fully let go of its trigger.

Take your dog to as many new places as possible. Exposure to new sights, sounds, and smells helps open their mind and builds confidence.

Why It's Important

Builds confidence – The more experiences your dog successfully navigates, the more self-assured it becomes.

Reduces fear-based behaviors – Dogs afraid of the unknown are more likely to bark, lunge, or shut down. Exposure helps normalize the world.

Improves adaptability – Dogs that experience a variety of environments handle change (travel, moving, vet visits) better.

Strengthens the human–animal bond – Exploring together builds trust and connection.

Tips for Safe and Positive Exposure
        •       When allowing your pup or dog to greet people, allow your dog to choose to engage—never force it!
        •       Pair new experiences with high-value treats, a game of tug, or their favorite toy/game.
        •       Keep sessions short and fun. Always end on a positive note.
        •       Watch for signs of stress: lip licking, yawning, full-body shake-offs, wide whale eyes. In order for the dog to be experiencing stress, it should show at least two or more signs.
        •       Praise calm, curious behavior, and always allow the pup or dog to explore things it may be uncomfortable with but is showing curiosity about. Don’t talk; just let its curiosity expand.