Our coaches at dogs trust dog school recommend using these tactile creations to keep dogs content and occupied.
Make your own snuffle mat uk.
Here s my attempt at making one for genie.
First cut a large rectangle from your t shirt or jumper.
To make the snuffle mat you ll take one strip and push one end through a hole in the rubber mat and then take the other end of the strip and push it through the hole next to the first one.
Introducing your snuffle mat to your dog.
I bought 2 mats and two metres of two different colours.
Good luck and enjoy getting creative.
A sink mat will be fine though.
This will allow them to build an understanding that the mat is used for rewards.
A snuffle mat is an enrichment toy that encourages your dog to sniff and search out hidden treats amongst the strands of the mat.
Cut your fleece blankets into strips using scissors.
To make a homemade dog snuffle mat you will need.
You will need about 1 metre of fleece per mat or 2 x 0 5m of two different colours.
Snuffle mats retail online for about 20 30 so i decided it s got to be cheaper to make your own.
This will form the base of your snuffle mat.
This made two mats so cost 8 48 per mat.
For this project you ll need.
The first time you give a snuffle mat to your dog place the treats kibble on top then progressively make it harder by burying the treats kibble further into the snuffle mat so that they really have to use their noses and snuffle to find the goodies.
At least a yard of fleece depending on the size of your pup a rubber sink or anti fatigue mat basically any mat that has equidistant holes large enough for fleece strips to go through.
I bought the sink mat and fleece fabric from an ebay shop the cost was 3 49 for the mat and 4 99 for the fleece per metre.
Making the snuffle mat.
How to make the snuffle mats.
Cutting these at different widths and lengths will make the snuffle mat a bit more of a challenge for your dog.
After all they re only rag rugs nothing fancy.
No need to double knot it.
In fact you can make your own snuffle mat in just a couple of steps.
Start by placing your snuffle mat on the floor and letting your dog have a sniff and explore.
An old t shirt and or jumper a jumper or polo shirt is best as some t shirts can be a little too stretchy a pair of scissors.
One fairly solid rubber door mat with lots of holes in.
Gather the necessary materials.
Dogs are social intelligent and active animals so it is important to provide them with safe and suitable opportunities to exercise their bodies and minds.