Homemade Snuffle Mat For Dogs
If your dog is eating too fast a snuffle mat can slow things down.
Homemade snuffle mat for dogs. These mats incorporate something called nose work. Mental enrichment for dogs is a very important part of their overall wellbeing and many bored dogs start showing problematic behaviours when they aren t getting enough enrichment. The loose ends of the fleece are on top and provide the hiding spots for the treats. The snuffle mat consists of fleece strips tied on to a rubber mat with holes in it.
You simply sprinkle in some treats into the mat dried liver is great but you can use any treats and watch as your dog has a ball sniffing them out. With a snuffle mat your dog gets the chance to work for their food in a relaxing way. A snuffle mat is essentially a mat with flaps of fleece that a dog owner or cat owner puts the dog s food hidden within and the dog sniffs around snuffles finding all of the bits of food and crumbs hidden in the nooks and crannies of the mat. Diy snuffle mats for dogs are the perfect solution to all of this.
This will allow them to build an understanding that the mat is used for rewards. Change it up or down depending on your dog s size. A snuffle mat is an easy to make homemade toy that provides your dog or cat with the opportunity to sniff and search their way through fleece strips in searc. There s loads of different enrichment toys available on the market but these snuffle mats are an easy and fun project to make for your pooch using only a few materials.
What exactly is a snuffle mat. Get your dog s favourite dry treats and place a couple on the top of the fabric letting your dog sniff and take them. 12 by 15 inches works well for medium sized dogs. Dog trainer amanda cornell cpdt ka who owns accomplished canines dog training shared with us this great diy for a fun way to give your dog his food or treats in something called a snuffle mat that is actually a brain stimulating activity for your pup it s basically a rubber mat tied with lots like a ton of fleece fabric strips.
Snuffle mats are made using a safety rubber mat as a base with fleece tied into knots to create a mountain of soft tassels for you dog to nose around in. Start by placing your snuffle mat on the floor and letting your dog have a sniff and explore. Quantity depends on the size of the mat but 1 5. Enter the snuffle mat a homemade toy that provides dogs with an opportunity to use their most highly developed sense to sniff out hidden treats.
When used for training activities snuffle mats are sometimes called nosework mats. Dogs take to scent games like well fish to water. While a snuffle mat benefits most breeds of dogs there are a few situations where a snuffle mat should be skipped.