Teaching your dog to “go to a mat” can solve many common behavior problems in dogs such as door dashing, jumping on visitors, and counter-surfing. In addition to management, we can also use mat training as part of a comprehensive behavior modification plan.
Mat training is beneficial:
- when your dog is excited, anxious, or afraid and needs a place to settle or relax.
- during dinnertime or meal preparations.
- as a safe haven or place to get away when children are present. Children must learn not to invade the dog’s space when on his mat!
- when teaching your dog to be calm and quiet in his crate or in the car. Teach this behavior on the mat first before transferring the mat to the crate or car.
- building self-control or help with impulse control.
- when visitors are in the home.
- in homes with multiple dogs, to reduce chaos and is useful when training two dogs simultaneously, such as repairing relationships between dogs.
- as a place to go when the doorbell rings.
- as a routine place to go when putting on the leash and harness.
Mat training
Photo courtesy of Pat Koven
More information on mat training: