Dog Crate Mats as a Training Tool
We love our dogs and because of that, we love to make them as comfortable as possible. Pet stores, catalogs and the Internet are full of all kinds of dog beds, dog crate mats, orthopedic beds, dog blankets, coats, boots…you get the idea.
I may have an addiction to dog mats, beds, crate pads, or whatever you want to call them. I have enough to put one in almost every room in my home, one in my car, one in the crate I use for agility class, one in our camper. LOTS of dog mats! My addiction began before I started my new online store, where I sell my handmade fleece dog crate mats. Why so many mats?
I use them A LOT! Dog mats are a great way to keep your four-legged best friend warm, cozy and comfortable. And, if that’s the only reason you buy and use dog mats, you are a very nice and loving dog mom or dad. And, why not buy mats that match our decor, our dog’s personality, or our own personal taste? There’s another reason to use dog mats, and I bet many households are using them for this reason without considering themselves “dog trainers”.
The fact of the matter is, anyone who has a dog in their home, takes their dog for walks, has visitors with their dog present, or travels with their dog, is a dog trainer. People with dogs are always training their dogs, maybe without even realizing it:
- Wait for dinner
- Wait at the door before going outside
- Sit quietly before greeting visitors or when a delivery person is at the door
- Stay out of the kitchen while food is being prepared
- Rest patiently while the family eats dinner
How can dog crate mats be used in dog training?
Many trainers who are training dogs for dog sports, competition, or other purpose use dog crate mats (dog mats) to train their dogs a “place” command. This is used to have the dog wait while the trainer works with another dog, sets up training scenarios, or just wants the dog to live peaceably in the household. Dogs thrive on knowing what is expected of them — we can help with this by using dog mats as a training tool.
Sure, you could use anything for this training purpose, but what I love about our dog crate mats is their PORTABILITY. They can be used at home, outside, in training classes, in the car, at a friend’s house, at the veterinarian, in a hotel…literally ANYWHERE! They are lightweight, they fold or roll up and they can be carried with the the easy-on/easy-off strap that comes with our mats. And, they’re in fun and interesting fabrics!
If you’ve never trained your dog to go to a “place”, here are some tips to get you started:
- Start with your dog on a loose leash (to keep them close by — the leash should not be used to pull or guide the dog onto the mat — we want them getting on their mats because they find value in doing so. This is called shaping behavior).
- Show them the mat by placing it in front of them (no words are needed at this stage), when they interact with the mat (sniff it, touch it, put a paw/paws on it, etc.), give them a treat!
- Gradually increase your expectations before rewarding with a treat (no command yet). Maybe your expectations are two paws on the mat, then four paws — advance to a sit or a down — let your dog move forward to the next steps at their own pace. When your dog achieves something new, let them know by praising them, belly rubs, or extra treats. If your dog seems frustrated, you’ve advanced too quickly. No worries! Just back up a step or two. Set your dog up for success!
- Soon your dog will realize that getting on their “place” or their dog mat is a good place to be and having all four paws on the mat gets them treats. Now you can add a command to it. Some suggested commands: “bed” “place” “spot” — anything is fine — just be consistent.
- You will want your dog to learn that it must remain on the mat until you release it with a command (“okay”, “break”, “release”, etc.). To achieve this, reward the dog for remaining on the mat in the position you desire (stand, sit or down) and then release the dog. If the dog steps off the mat before your release, that’s ok — but no reward! Just start again and reduce the amount of time you expect the dog to stay on the mat. You can gradually increase the time the dog is on the mat.
- Train in small increments — 5 or 10 minutes at a time — and start in familiar environments. Eventually you can “proof” your training by adding distractions or training in new or unfamiliar environments.
- Keep your training sessions fun and positive! 🐾