Training Mat
🟢 I use this regularly in training
A training mat can be much more for your dog than simply a soft surface to lie on. You can deliberately link the mat to a specific cue or command. Your dog learns to go to their mat, lie down and stay there for a certain amount of time.
You can build this up calmly at home and then strengthen it step by step. Over time, the mat itself becomes a familiar signal: this is a place where you can settle down and where you may sometimes stay for a little longer.
A Familiar Place – Even When You’re Out and About
That’s exactly why I find a portable training mat particularly practical.
Once your dog is familiar with mat training, you can later take the same mat with you to a restaurant, café, hotel or when travelling.
The surroundings change – the mat stays the same. This gives your dog something familiar and consistent, and they already know what is expected: go to the mat, lie down and settle.
Of course, this still needs to be practised gradually in different places. But the familiar mat makes it much easier for your dog to transfer what they have already learned to a new environment.
What I Would Look For When Buying One
For training, I wouldn’t choose a very thin blanket or a loose towel that bunches up every time your dog moves.
I find a non-slip underside particularly practical so that the mat stays in place as much as possible, even on tiles or smooth floors. At the same time, it should be light enough to roll or fold up and take with you easily.
A durable, washable or wipe-clean material is also useful – especially if you regularly use the mat outdoors, in restaurants or while travelling.
When it comes to size, I would make sure your dog can lie comfortably and fully on the mat without you having to carry half a picnic blanket around every time.
The Real Goal
The mat shouldn’t simply be an object your dog happens to lie on. Through training, it becomes a clearly defined place and a cue to settle.
That way, even in unfamiliar situations, you can make it easier for your dog to understand: there’s nothing you need to do right now. You can lie down and relax.