Teaching your puppy or dog to chill out on a mat (sometimes known as a 'settle mat') is super beneficial for dogs and dog owners alike. Not only does it help grow calm behaviour in a dog, it is also useful life skill that can be used in many situations.
Use something soft, comfy and padded that is comfortable for your dog to relax and settle on, and make sure it is big enough for them to fully stretch out.
It is useful to use something that is easily transportable and washable as you'll probably be using it in different places out and about. If you don't want to buy a special doggy mat, you could use a towel or something similar.
Here are some of the benefits of teaching your dog to relax on a mat:
1. It becomes a safe space for your dog
A mat becomes your dog’s personal space where they can feel safe and secure. Just like humans, dogs need a place where they can retreat when they want to relax or feel overwhelmed.
Knowing they have a designated spot just for them can help reduce stress and make them feel more at ease, especially in busy or unfamiliar environments.
2. It can help ease a dog's anxiety
Dogs can get anxious in certain situations, like when there are loud noises, new people, or during travel. Having their own mat to lie on gives them a comforting and consistent space, which can help ease their anxiety.
Having a safe space where your dog knows they won’t be disturbed can help them feel more content in the environment.
3. It promotes calmness
By teaching your dog to chill out on a mat, you’re giving them a clear signal that it’s time to relax. Over time, this becomes a cue for your dog to shift from an excited state to a calm one.
Sometimes, dogs can get overstimulated by too much activity or excitement. A mat offers them a peaceful retreat where they can take a break from all the noise and movement, helping them avoid feeling overwhelmed.
This is a pawsome way to reduce arousal levels and dial down their 'doggy dimmer switch'. This life skill is especially useful in high-energy environments or in exciting situations such as when guests visit.
4. It makes going out and about with your dog easier
Whether you’re visiting friends, going to a café, or traveling, having a dog that is trained to relax on a mat makes life much easier.
I find it particularly useful for reducing stress at vet visits!
The mat acts as a portable piece of home, giving your dog a familiar and comforting spot wherever you go. This can help your dog remain calm and settled in new environments, making outings more enjoyable for both of you.
5. It promotes good behaviour
By teaching your dog to stay on a mat until released, you are helping them practice patience. This skill can be beneficial in various situations, such as when food is being prepared, when you are eating, or in places where calm behaviour is needed.
Teaching your dog to relax on a mat easy to build into daily life. It uses positive reinforcement to strengthen your dog's desire to spend time on their mat.
Dogs who are able to chill on cue are less likely to engage in undesirable behaviours, such as 'greeding' at meal times, chewing on furniture or jumping up.
Mat training is a great way to use up energy and wind down in the evening.
Getting started with your mat training
Follow these steps to teach your dog to settle on a mat.
You can use your dog's dinner or very small healthy treats for this exercise. Break the exercise into short training sessions throughout the day.:
Step one: The magic treat producing mat!
a) Start two paces from the 'mat'.
b) Have a high value treat treat waiting on the mat.
c) Take your dog to the mat to find their treat and eat it.
Your dog is learning that it is good to go to the 'magic treat producing mat'.
d) Now throw a low value bit of food 30cm or so off the mat for your dog to get.
e) Then take them to the mat to find their next treat.
Keep the distance short and repeat the revisiting the mat to find food about 20 times.
You've just created a positive association with the mat and your dog will be starting to LOVE it!
Step two: rewarding your dog for choosing to go to the mat
Once your dog is going to the mat automatically to find the treat, you are going stop having the treat waiting on the mat.
a) Instead, let your dog go to the mat in anticipation and then throw the treat onto the mat.
Try to throw the treat once your all four paws are on the mat. If your dog is struggling to do this, help them out by dropping a treat on the mat to encourage them to take up the right position.
It is important at this stage that the mat still produces the treat not you - otherwise what’s the point of going to the mat?
b) After your dog has eaten their treat throw another on the mat, then another.
c) Now throw a treat (lower value if you have one) about 30-50cm from the mat so that your dog gets off the mat to get it.
Your dog is now in position to go to the mat again.
d) When they choose the mat again and have all four paws on it, reward by delivering 3 treats in quick succession (to the mat).
If your dog is struggling to get this right - help them out and drop back a step by popping a bit of food on the mat.
As the 3 x high value treats are being used on the mat, the mat becomes a much more reinforcing place than being off the mat.
Step 3 : Adding a verbal cue to ask your dog to go to their mat:
By now your dog will be really excited about getting to their mat.
a) As they go to step on their mat next time, say the cue "Hop on" (or whatever you want your cue to be) and then reward three times before throwing the treat away from the mat.
b) Repeat several times.
Step 4 Releasing your dog from the mat:
Now your dog understands that if they go to the mat a treat will appear, we are going to extend the time on the mat incrementally.
a) Cue your dog to "hop on" and once they are on their mat again, wait a couple of seconds before popping the treat down.
b) Then deliver 4 more treats with a couple of seconds in between each one.
c) Now introduce a release cue by saying "free" and throwing the treat a short distance away from the mat.
"Free" is now the cue to let your dog know they are free to leave the mat if they wish to.
Step 5: Building up time on their mat
a) Use your verbal cue to get your dog onto their mat and then drip feed 10 small bits of food to the mat with 5 second intervals between each one.
b) Now free your dog and throw the lower value treat away from the mat to set your dog up to "hop on" again.
Step 6: Approaching the mat from different directions
When freeing your dog you can now throw the treat away from the mat in different places around the mat.
This sets things up so that you can help your dog understand that they can get on their mat from different directions.
Step 7: Look for a level of calmness and changes in position to “settling down”
a) Drip-feed treats slowly and deliberately to the mat when your dog is calm and relaxed,
b) Place the treat where your dog doesn't have to stretch or get up to get them. We want your dog to settle down so look for shifts in weight onto their side and treat heavily when that happens.
You can deliver the food next to their side to help them shift their weight to a 'settle' position. Let it be dog’s choice to sit or down as much as possible before asking them.
8. Delivering treats at varying intervals
a) Rather than increasing in steady increments, you'll now deliver treats at varying short and longer intervals (think 'zig zag' intervals). Look for calm and still moments to feed.
b) If your dog lies down in a "Sphynx like" position, try and deliver the treats at close to their side as this can encourage them to shift into a more relaxed position.
Step 9: Extending the time spent relaxing on the mat
When your dog is settled you can start using long relaxing strokes will help your dog relax and chill (if your dog likes being stroked).
Add chews, stuffed Kongs or lick mats into the mix to make it an even more valuable spot and extend the length of time spent chilling and self-soothing. Always supervise your dog when using these.
Top tips:
- Keep initial sessions short and ensure they are fun. Gradually building up the time on the mat. Introduce the mat where and when you want your dog to settle down and chill - maybe in the lounge when you are watching TV or in the kitchen?
- When not in use, I pick the mat up as I want it to be a super special mat where my dog has a desire to spend time rather than another chew toy.
- Only push on when you've had success in the previous step - it's okay to stick or drop if your dog needs to.
- Proof the mat it in different contexts - try in different locations in the house first of all before taking it out and about.
- Mimic real life situations such as using your 'phone, or having a drink or a meal while they chill out on their mat. Think how you'll want to use the mat in real life and train for that.
Once you've trained your dog to love their mat you can use the "hop on" and "free" cues in relation to different 'spots' such as beds. sofa, car seat - anything can become a 'spot'!
Happy mat training! Let me know how you get on.
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