Using the PetSafe Ricochet Electronic Dog Toy is super easy. Just insert 3 x AAA batteries into each toy (batteries are not included). Let your dog start playing with one toy, and the other will start squeaking from up to 30 feet away. You can play 'hide and squeak' with your dog by hiding one of the toys and having your dog find it by following the squeaks. If you need to leave your dog alone, the toys will stay active for up to an hour and then turn off automatically. When it comes to maintenance, there's not much to do. Since there's no stuffing or fabric, you don't have to worry about tears. Just keep the toys clean by wiping them with a damp cloth. Remember, always keep the batteries out of your dog's reach, and replace the batteries when the toys start to lose their squeak.