In simple terms, it is a mat you put on the floor to cue your dog to settle quietly.
It is also known as a place marker or travel mat.
It is usually lightweight, wipeable and packs small.
In our opinion, it is one of the most useful training tools for you and your dog.
Dog owners can get so caught up in training recall, task work and tricks that it can be easy to forget to teach the important skill of settling quietly.
Settle mats are not just for assistance dogs. Most dog owners like to to be able to take their dog out with them, and the increase of dog friendly shops and events means that our four legged friends are now apart of the family more than ever.
What are the benefits of settle mat training?
Once your dog is settle mat trained you will be able to engender a calm response around exciting distractions. It can, further, serve as a sign to the public not to approach your dog or to let others know why your dog is there.
When should I use a settle mat?
You use the mat whenever you want your dog to settle quietly, usually away from home. You may use it at the pub, restaurant, a show, hospital appointment, etc.
How do I train my dog to use the mat?
There are 2 stages to settle mat training.
Firstly, creating a good association with the mat is essential.
This is a case of placing the mat on the floor and whenever the dog touches the mat, mark and reward the dog.
We used clicker to mark and food to reward. You will have your own way of letting your dog know that the behaviour is correct.
Whenever the dog is touching the mat, mark and reward.
Then send the dog away from the mat and pick it up.
Keep placing the mat on the floor and repeat the process.
Soon your dog will associate the mat with getting rewards and when it sees the mat, it will come over to the mat as soon as it sees it appear.
After you have practised this for a few sessions, ask your dog for a sit on the mat and then only mark and reward when your dog is sitting on the mat.
Once your dog automatically offers a sit on the mat, ask for a down and only mark and reward the dog for lying on the mat.
Keep rewarding the dog at a frequency that keeps the dog on the mat.
Secondly, build up the time on the mat and phase out the reward once the positive association is solid, in a methodical fashion.
Practise, practise, practise - at home at first and then in random locations so that it becomes second nature to the dog.
The cue for the dog to settle on the mat is simply putting the mat onto the floor, therefore, it is really important that you do not leave the mat down when you don't want the settle.
We taught our dog a release cue so that she knew when the settle was finished.
Thanks to Scott Allen for teaching us how to use a settle mat, even though my own dog doesn't do public access anymore, we use this skill daily.
What can I use for a settle mat?
Wuffable manufacture custom made settle mats for all sizes and all types of dogs.
You can choose your colour, your size and any wording required. You can even have matching print on your mat and your vest and other accessories.
We have printed fabric, embroidered and fleece style mats so there really is something for every kind of dog. All of Wuffable mats are washable in a washing machine and can be air dried.
These are usually water resistant, padded with a thermal layer and non slip bottom. They roll up small and are supplied with a carry strap or drawstring bag.
This makes them easy to transport clipped to an existing bag, wheelchair, rollator etc.
Wuffable also sell mat roll carry bags which can have extra wording on and they have a useful sized pocket, perfect for your pet wipes.
You may choose to have wording on your mat or your dogs name, the choice is yours.
Some people choose to start with a towel or bath mat to use as a settle mat. Although a really good option for those on a budget, these soak up water from your wet dog and have the disadvantages of getting smelly and needing to go inside the washing machine more frequently. Towels are prone to slipping around on the floor. Bath mats often have a rubber bottom which disintegrates over time.
When washing any of your pet products are pet wash bags are perfect for trapping dog hair and protecting your washing machine
Stores like Aldi and Home Bargain often have fabulous generic travel mats which are brilliant if you don't want any extra wording on the mat.
If your dog has become accustomed to settling on a generic mat, you could pop down one of our Floor Marker | Wuffable to let passers by know your dog is working.
Your dog doesn't need to fit onto the mat completely as the mat is simply a tool to cue the need for a settle. However, if you require your dog to settle for a length of time, you may want your dog to fully fit elbows on the mat to bring some comfort.
A good quality settle mat will be water resistant, padded with a thermal layer and non slip bottom. It will not soak up smells or wet from your dog and you can wipe it over between times to keep it fresh.
They roll up small and are supplied with a carry strap or drawstring bag. They are made to fit your dog, with or without words of your choosing.
You may wish to leave the dogs name off the mat if you don't want unruly children to call the name.
You may choose a design that reflects your hobby or interests (please note we do not recreate copyrighted images)
You may want to choose muted colours or vibrant.
Your dog may prefer the feel of soft fleece over wipeable quilted fabric.
YOUR DOG'S MAT - YOUR WAY
