Settle on a mat for dogs: how to play
Reward calm on a mat: lying down, then hip rolled, then head down. Teaches relaxation as a skill.
- Time
- 10 min
- Energy
- Low
- Space
- Small room
You'll need
- a mat or towel
- low-value treats
Set up
Sit in a chair with a mat by your feet. Do this after exercise, not when your dog is bursting with energy.
How to play
Put the mat down. Drop a treat on it each time your dog steps on.
Then wait for a down, and drop a treat between their front paws.
Now reward smaller signs of calm: hip rolling to one side, a sigh, head on the floor.
Slow the rewards down. Read a book. Drop a treat every 10 to 30 seconds while they stay relaxed.
End by saying your release word, then pick the mat up.
House rules
- Calm gets rewarded, quietly.
- Low-value treats, slow pace, soft voice.
- Make it easier
- Reward more often and keep sessions to 3 minutes.
- Make it harder
- Settle with a distraction: TV on, someone walking past, at a café.
Signs it's having fun
Hip rolled, chin down, slow breathing, maybe asleep.
Stop if you see
Restless shifting, getting up repeatedly. Do it after a walk or shorten it.
Safety
Safety- Not a stay; your dog can leave. If they leave often, the session is too long.
Sources
Written from these sources and checked against vet and trainer guidance. General guidance, not veterinary advice.
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