Taking care of a dog can be tricky when you are trapped indoors a lot of the time. We’re all looking for ways to keep our best friends happy and occupied at home.
I mentioned ways to stretch out those meal times to create a more enjoyable experience. And I’ve been testing out some other fun ideas with my dogs.
Find out what our terrier puppy, Polly, thinks of her ‘snuffle mat’ in this video.
Snuffle mats are a way of turning meal time into a bit of an adventure. Let us know in the comments if you’ve tried this form of environmental enrichment for your dog!
Fabiola
Hi Pippa! I would love to try this for my pup. This would pose a challenge for feeding time. My terrier will NOT touch dry food unless I mix in some wet food as well. Am I spoiling him?
Jerry Olson
Just looks like away for more making messes. Sorry but,My Labrador will Just tear it up. Nice try .
Pippa Mattinson
Our two labs enjoy the mat – I’ll pop some film up. The trick is to take the mat up and away from them as soon as they start to mess about with it. 🙂
Sandra Jefferies
Thank you for introducing me to the fascinating feeding mat. This may be just what my ‘Teddy’, a Goldendoodle, needs to slow his feeding. He chewed the Gobble Stopper I suctioned to his bowl after the third or fourth feeding and I was at a loss as to what to do next. At almost four months old I would like to find a number of ways to entertain him and feed slower….it would make our mornings a bit more relaxing.
Pippa Mattinson
Glad you found it interesting Sandra, at 4 months your best bet is to use most of your puppy’s food up in training games. Do join the Labrador Forum if you need some inspiration (Doodles are welcome) 🙂
Jane Pape
What a great idea! However, what I really need is something to keep my 3y.o. Lab Daisi occupied I doors for something nearer 1/2 an hour….. She’s my 4th black lab bitch and by far the most challenging. I’m very blessed that I live in rural Cumbria, so we get 1/2 hr morning and 1 hr plus in the late afternoon. Mostly ball chasing, but I try and include several spells of “training”. I’m fairly rubbish at it unless I’ve got someone giving Me instructions, but when I got Daisi in 2017 the Labrador Site introduced me to Pippa and Lez, Mekuti harnesses and lots of hints and helps. Thanks Y’all…jane P
Pippa Mattinson
Hi Jane, I think we all benefit from instructions sometimes 🙂 Love Cumbria!
Laurie
We use a snuffle mat with our puppy and it makes him use his brain and nose so eating is a FULL activity. He’s much more satisfied when he gets done. I highly recommend them. There are many forms of these mats.
Rick Pascarella
Looked fun thanks
Faye Achenbach
Where did you buy that snuffle mat?
Faye Achenbach
Hi Pippa
Thanks for this it’s excellent. Where can I buy the snuffle mat you use – I couldn’t see a link anywhere.
Many thanks
Pippa Mattinson
Oops, sorry Faye, I’ll pop the link up in the article!