My dog Walter, a spunky dachshund, can be described as having two settings: on and off. To help us all out, I’m focusing on training “calm” behaviour through hunting techniques and nosework. And one tool, in particular, has been a lifesaver: a snuffle mat. Elegantly simple, it’s just the thing to keep Walter busy.
The snuffle mat consists of rows of fleece strips where treats can be hidden. Using one of these as my training tool, I’m teaching Walter to use his brain and his hunting instincts. This helps burn off energy, and I’m particularly grateful for it when our walks are shorter due to busy schedules and weather. Any tool that encourages natural foraging skills is perfect for our pack.
I’ve tried and reviewed a lot of puzzle toys, and this one remains among our favourites. It fits easily fits into our routine. I typically swap in new interactive tools every week or the dogs get BORED, but the snuffle mat stays in the rotation.
The Paw5 Snuffle Mat is under £30 ON AMAZON.
Snuffle mat options
Honestly, the basic concept behind these mats is pretty simple. You can make one if you’re so inclined! This is a great DIY Snuffle Mat video we made here at Rover. This is another guide I liked, as well.
I bought this Snuffle Mat from Amazon as I’m not very crafty, and it’s been well worth it. It may seem expensive for a toy, but I’ve found that it’s stood the test of time over countless hours of use. I can’t speak to the quality of cheaper alternatives, but certainly, there are many options on the market now to test out.
Using enrichment tools like this means that when the dogs are bored, they don’t look for ways to entertain themselves and get in trouble. I just fill up the snuffle mat with treats and each dog gets their turn (while the others wait behind the baby gate). The mat can take about 10 minutes of focused play.
Tips for how to use the snuffle mat successfully
- You can essentially just throw kibble or treats on top of the mat. However, “hiding” treats in the mat makes it harder for your dogs, and my Walter needs the ultimate challenge.
- Break your treats into tiny pieces. It’s easy to make this hunting exercise last for a while if you hide a lot of really small treats throughout the mat.
- This game should be monitored. I caught Walter starting to chew on the fleece once, which he would have ingested at some point. Not every dog would do this, but Walter also chews blankets …
- We use “find it” as our nosework cue, so that’s what I use for this game.
- Watch out for territorial behaviour if more than one dog is present. My dogs need to play these enrichment games separately so nobody gets “guardy”. I doubt two dogs can share the mat nicely.
It’s a great tool for older dogs
My 13-year-old dog Bruiser loves this mat too. Since his walks are a little shorter due to achy joints, the mat is an important enrichment tool for him. In general, it’s a great option for dogs with cognitive issues. We’re trying to work with Bruiser now to ensure the ageing process is easy on him.
According to an Indoor Pet Initiative, “‘[Teaching] an old dog new tricks’ has been shown to improve learning and memory” for older pets, particularly those with cognitive dysfunction.
10-minutes a day keeps the doctor away! Try an interactive puzzle toy with your senior for just ten minutes a day and they’ll love you for it. You can even toss some soft veggies in the snuffle mat for your older dog. Bruiser enjoys baby carrots in his mat.
The bottom line
There are plenty of interactive puzzle toys to choose from, but I find this simple mat does the trick, especially when the weather turns.
And if you can’t walk your dog before work every day, a Rover.com dog walker can help you with scheduled walks and drop-in visits. We also have plenty of sitters who offer dog boarding while you’re at work!
Further Reading
- 21 Simple Tricks to Make Your Dog Happier, Smarter and Less Bored Every Day
- 10 Best Puzzle Toys that Actually Help Bored Dogs
- Bored Dogs: How to Recognise Doggy Boredom (and Help!)
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Featured image: Amazon
