Sniffing enrichment
Hide the reward. Let the dog's nose do the rest.
Snuffle mats, cubes and other search toys turn kibble or treats into a task the dog has to solve with its nose – from simple searching to more challenging pockets and hiding places.
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How to choose a sniffing aid for your dog?
Sniffing aids hide kibble or small treats between layers of material, inside pockets or in other hiding places. The dog has to search them out with its nose instead of receiving them directly from your hand or a bowl. When choosing, consider the dog's experience, the size of the aid and, above all, the difficulty of the search.
A snuffle mat for an easy start
Hide treats or kibble between the strips of material and adjust the difficulty simply by placing them deeper or closer to the surface. For beginners, leave them easy to reach at first and make the search harder gradually.
Cubes and pockets for a greater challenge
Snuffle cubes add the challenge of working with a moving object and additional hiding places. A version with pockets is more demanding and is better suited to a dog that already understands the searching principle.
Use part of the daily ration instead of extra treats
You do not always need to add extra rewards. You can also use part of the dog's normal daily kibble ration and let the dog search for it instead of serving it in a bowl.
Start easy and let the dog understand the task
The first searches should not be unnecessarily difficult. Leave a few treats clearly visible or only lightly hidden, and only once the dog understands the task should you add more challenging hiding places. With a more experienced dog, you can use deeper layers, pockets or a moving cube. A sniffing aid should be a solvable task, not a competition to see how well you can hide food from the dog.
Frequently asked questions about sniffing aids
What can I put in a snuffle mat?
Small dry treats or kibble are the most practical. They are easy to hide between the layers of material, and after use the aid can simply be shaken out to remove any leftovers.
How do I teach my dog to use a snuffle mat?
Start with a few easily accessible treats on the surface. Once the dog understands that it should search for them with its nose, you can gradually hide them deeper between the parts of the mat.
What is the difference between a snuffle mat and a snuffle cube?
A mat lies on the floor and the dog searches for food among its individual sections. A cube can move while the dog works and, depending on the design, can contain additional hiding places or pockets, making it a more demanding task.
Is a sniffing aid suitable for beginners?
Yes. Choose a simple version and make the first searches very easy. Increase the difficulty only once the dog understands the principle and searches independently.
Can a dog be left alone with a sniffing aid?
We do not recommend it. A sniffing aid is designed for searching for food, not for chewing. Supervise the dog during use and remove the aid after the search is finished.
