Foraging for something delicious to eat has always been a favorite pastime of dogs. Dogs possess the unique ability to detect scent and determine its source, which is why they’ve been trained to work in a number of specialized fields. So when you’re looking for an entertaining, interactive game for your dog, consider one that gives his remarkable nose a good workout, as well as being mentally stimulating.
Your dog’s nose and brain were made to sniff, track, burrow and snort. Offering your dog the opportunity to do nose work or snuffling capitalises on this natural desire and there’s no better time to do this, than during meal time!
Whether you call it nose work, foraging, hunting or snuffling, it’s all really the same thing – it’s your dog’s way of using his nose to sniff out good things to eat. The Snuffle Mat is a great enrichment activity, designed to mimic the grass your dog forages in outside. Made from strands of fabric attached to a strong backing, you can hide kibble and treats throughout the mat to create a scavenger hunt for your dog.