Padded Settle Mat

Returns Policy

All our items are handmade and/or personalised to the customers specification and are excluded from the right to a refund unless the product is faulty.  It is vital that you check all details, including spelling and grammar as we work with the information you supply to us.

We do not accept cancellations but please contact us if you are having a problem with your order, and we will help if possible.

If your item arrives damaged, or with a mis-spelling or error in the configuration, please notify us as soon as possible.  We will request that you return the item to us and if the item is deemed faulty we shall refund in full. 

Please keep in mind that any items returned to us, are your responsibility until they reach us and we recommend sending by signed for postage.  We cannot be held responsible for items lost in the post.

 

How should you teach your dog to use a settle mat?

The first step in teaching your dog to use a settle mat is to create a positive association with the mat. Do this by giving your dog a treat whenever they look at or step on the mat. If you look at the mat as if it is the most interesting thing in the world then place it on the floor, your dog will likely go over to the mat and show an interest too. Use the command ‘settle’ and give them treats whenever they make contact with the mat. If they get bored and wander off, take the mat away and stop the game. Next time, try to take a break before they get bored. You can train them to come over to the mat by throwing a treat for them to chase, then rewarding them again once they return to the mat, using the command ‘settle’ as they make contact with the mat.

Once your dog wags their tail as soon as they see the mat, and comes over to stand on it, it’s time for the next step. Ask your dog to lie down on the mat. Give them treats periodically for remaining lying down on the mat. Before they get bored remove them from the mat by giving a releasing command (I use ‘go free’) followed by a thrown treat for them to chase. Take the mat up.

The next time you put the mat down, ask them to settle, and use your hand to guide them into a lying down position. If they aren’t sure what to do, you can use your command to lie down as well. Again, give them treats every few seconds they remain lying down, but vary the frequency of the treats. Over time, you want to build up how long they wait for a treat before getting bored and walking away. After all, you don’t want to have to give them a treat every few seconds when you’re in the café!

Once they’ve mastered waiting for their treats, start to build up the distractions. Put the mat down and ask them to settle. Reward them for coming over to the mat and lying down to wait. Ask somebody to walk past the mat, and treat them for remaining still and waiting on the mat. As they get better at this you can move around yourself, have something thrown past them, or release other dogs into the mix. Don’t be surprised if your dog finds this hard at first, just build up the distractions slowly and practise, practise, practise.

Now begin to vary where your dog is asked to settle. Take the mat with you on a walk, and put it down by a bench. Reward them well for coming over to the mat. Remember, new places will likely set your dog back a few steps, so expect to have to give them lots of treats very frequently at first. Try parks, walks, pubs, and friend’s houses until your dog will reliably settle for long periods even without many treats!