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HOW TO MAKE ANNOTENTAL MAT? STEP BY STEP MANUAL
Although the olfactory mat is very easy to get from pet supply stores, it is much more satisfying to prepare it yourself!
Time to search the nooks and crannies of your home – we bet you will find most of the materials needed to make a simple olfactory mat , and the ones you lack, you can easily buy at the nearest store, without spending on it the end of many means.
What will we need?
- 2 unused fleece blankets approx. 130 x 170 cm (optional: yellow and blue, best recognized by dogs) or approx. 1.5 m of new fleece fabric;
- rubber doormat with holes, approx. 40 x 30 cm (for larger and medium-sized dogs) or rubber, quite stiff sink insert with holes (for dogs of smaller breeds);
- sharp scissors.
Step 1 – CUT THE STRIPES FROM THE FLEECE
From the fleece blankets, cut strips to the size of the dog:
Use the dimensions as indicative, keeping in mind the general abilities of the dog. You don’t have to cut the strips with a ruler in your hand or worry when they come out uneven. The most important thing is that the length of the straps allows you to freely attach them to the mat in such a way that some material remains after the knot is twisted – it will hide the flavors from the dog’s inquisitive nose!
The strips should be at least as many as the holes in the base of the olfactory mat (e.g. in the doormat).
Step-2 – PREPARE THE-MAT-BASE
The base of the mat can be a rubber doormat with holes or a rubber, openwork and relatively stiff sink insert. If you have a large doormat that might be too big for your dog, cut it in half and prepare two olfactory mats! The latter will be useful as a substitute, when the first one, after a dozen or so sessions of sniffing for flavors, goes to the wash.
Step 3 – BIND THE STRIPES TO THE MAT-BASE
Tie ready strips of fabric to the base of the mat (doormat or sink insert) so that there is one knot for each hole . If, after filling in all the holes, you feel the mat should be a little thicker, tie more strips where the gaps are left.
Make sure you tie very strong knots! A dog that is engaged in play can jerk and bite the fabric, putting your mat to the test of endurance! ?
FUN: START! BUT HOW TO HAVE FUN?
Although sniffing is part of the hunting chain and every dog has it in their blood, the first moments of playing with the mat may require the owner to act as a guide to a new attraction. Guide the dog with your hand to the first hidden relish and encourage him to explore further. Remember, however, that the mat is supposed to be an engaging puzzle for your pet, so you should avoid encouraging, prompting and leading him to the target by the paw!
If your dog is not avid diapers, do not hide bites deep in the mat’s fringes when you first play them . Make them visible to your pet – such a start will allow him to quickly find out about the rules of the game, thanks to which you will be able to raise the bar during the next session.
Also try to choose those treats that will be a real reward for your dog – the most delicious, favorite and encouraging to be active . The better the reward, the more fun it will be!
If you see that the dog is losing interest in sniffing, but still has not discovered all the flavors, end the session and hide the mat to come back to this shared activity at the next opportunity. Get the track of good, developing fun and come back to it from time to time, enjoying the time spent together and your presence!
