Garden notes
How to use a snuffle mat: the first week in the garden
A snuffle mat looks self-explanatory until your dog stares at it and then at you. The trick is to make the first few sessions so easy that the garden feels like a sure thing, then slowly make the food harder to find. Here's the week we'd plan for a dog who has never foraged before.
Day 1: sprinkle on top
Scatter a handful of kibble right on the surface where it's visible. Let your dog clear it with no help and no commentary. The only lesson today is that this thing has food on it.
Day 2: brush it in
Scatter the food, then run your hand over the grass so some pieces fall between the strips. Most dogs start nudging with the nose within a minute.
Day 3: petals and pockets
Tuck a few bigger treats between the petals of the central flower. Keep the grass easy so there's always a quick win nearby.
Day 4: a whole meal
Serve a full meal on the mat. Stay nearby, stay quiet, and pick the mat up when the food is gone, so it stays a special game rather than a chew toy.
Day 5 and beyond: raise the bar
Button the flaps on a puzzle mat, roll up a snuffle toy, hide pods in another room. Change one thing at a time so your dog keeps winning.
A good session ends with an empty mat and a sleepy dog. If your dog starts chewing the fleece instead of sniffing it, the game is too hard or too long; go back a step.