Snuffle Mat for Small Large Dogs (39.4" x 39.4") - Nosework Feeding, Easy to Fill, Machine Washable Training, Pet Activity/Toy/Play, Great for Stress Release - L

As advertised. Keeps the doggo entertained. Recommend supervising pet while using the mat because dog may begin to bite and chew to get at a really well hidden treat.

We have a 5-month-old cattle dog / collie puppy. She is very active, very smart, and loves to be kept busy. She has chewed her way through more than a few toys, so I was a bit hesitant to get this, for fear that she would chew all the fabric pieces and destroy the snuffle mat. But it has been one of our best purchases for her, hands down.When we first introduced the snuffle mat, a family member kept the puppy busy while I loaded it with food, and then we let her at it. She quickly figured out what to do and LOVED it.We load the mat with regular food, and it will fit almost a full meal for her. The "cups" are usually the area she goes to first, because it is very easy, even if I smush the fabric to cover the food. The "grassy" area is also pretty easy for her to find food, and it is easy for her to grab the food and leave the fabric pieces alone. The "booklet" flaps took her a few tries to master, but she is now able to easily nose through and get food. The "pockets" and the "flowers" are the sections she goes to last, only when the other food is gone.Only one time has she chewed a fabric piece on the mat. I got distracted, and she got frustrated on one of the flowers and started to chew the fabric. As soon as I noticed, I removed the mat, and she has not done it since. She has also on one or two occasions decided it was easier to just pick the mat up and shake it so the food would all fly out. When she did this we removed the mat, and she has not done it again.We've had the mat for over a month now, and we actually leave it on the floor most of the day, and load it with food at mealtimes. If she is hungry, she will go over and start nosing for food, but otherwise she leaves it alone. She also has a nice food bowl, but most of the time she would rather eat her food from the snuffle mat.For the price, I think this is a must-have, especially for working-breed dogs who enjoy a challenge. You'll need to watch closely at first, make sure that the mat is loaded with food before they have access, and then remove the mat if they start to chew or shake it. But once they understand the concept, they will love it.I have not tried other brands of mats, but this one was recommended on several pet sites, and I've been very happy with it. The fabric is thick and relatively durable (for fabric, anyway). There is a non-skid coating on the bottom (we use it on a rug so I don't know how well it works on hard floors), and there is a nice fabric tie to keep it tidy when rolled up. It also has a variety of puzzles in a range of difficulty levels.I would definitely recommend snuffle mats in general and this one specifically to pet owners.

I'm sorry to give this mat 5 stars. If I could, I'd rate it higher. For most of his year of life, our puppy has persistently begged at the table, stared at our plates if he can get high enough and generally not understanding that, although he's part of our family, he eats separately. He gets his supper at the same time as we eat but our plates are so much more interesting. It isn't as if he isn't trained. He's been through all the obedience classes available to him and will soon take his AKC good canine citizen test. Done well at them.He's a bright little malshi - maltese/shitzhu one year old, about 11 lbs. He gets his snuffle mat once a day, at dinner. I lay it out with kibble and treats in it as we sit down to eat. From the first time, he works at it for at least 20 minutes, wanders a little and then goes back at it again. When we're through eating, the snuffle mat gets emptied, rolled up and put away. Since he got it, he hasn't bothered us at mealtime at all. But it also is something he finds very interesting. Because it isn't out all the time, when he gets it, it's a treat. He gets very excited about it. I don't put a treat or kibble in every slot so he has to check them all. He used to nibble at his food dish, but this, this he loves. I took it to his last puppy class for 'show and tell.' His classmate's family is getting one and the trainer, although she knew about them, had never seen one. He is as motivated to hunt through his snuffle mat as he is excited to learn in class (which is VERY). Can't recommend this one highly enough. We haven't had it long enough to run it through the washer but it's well made and should hold up well. Our little guy is a chewer and is not kind to his toys but isn't doing that with his mat at all - it's too special, we think. Excellent choice.

Hold up well. Keeps pup entertained

Recent adoption was having severe separation anxiety, and while this was not a one stop cure all, it absolutely helped. ‘Vaca’ must have earned a black belt in chewing everything in reach prior to us adopting him. Getting him more exercise, good chew toys, and treats, plus this magnificent mat all helped transition him down to about a white belt.This mat is legit. He has destroyed things we thought were indestructible. But the mat remains. It takes about 3 minutes to prepare 1 cup of traditional dry dog food. An easy investment of your time. Just hide each bit in as many different places as you can, and let him find them.*Pro tips:1. If your dog isn’t interested right away try a few things. First one is free. Get down on your hands and knees and pretend to sniff out and eat the food. Second one is to break up some of their favorite treats and hide them with the food. They can smell the difference.2. If you plan on using this just prior to leaving for the day, don’t use it that way the first time. Use it as a normal feeding ritual while you are still there. This way they will not associate the mat with you leaving.3. It washes in the clothes washer just fine. I dried on low heat just in case the material was heat sensitive.Good luck, and trust this review helps in your decision.

This is my dog’s first mat for dog treats and she loves it! Plenty of places to hide treats and keeps her occupied. The mat is good quality and holds up to her digging.