I’m a firm believer that there is not one training method that should be followed. What works for one dog/human/issue may not work for another. I was introduced to Natural Dog Training about 2 years ago. Taken some training courses to understand the methods and gone through the training with my own dog for resource guarding but find that NDT is really good for a dog that lacks confidence and also needs help building a better bond with the human. Here foster Georgia demonstrates that without much verbal guidance or any formal NDT training, she is able to make contact, can push through my hand to the food in my non restraining hand and also even collect my energy in a down to help her with some impulse control.

I learned about the snuffle mat during my mentoring portion of my courses. It’s definitely become a fan favorite in my household. I haven’t found a dog that doesn’t enjoy it, including foster pup Georgia. It’s time we step away from just feeding our dogs from the bowl day in, day out. The snuffle mat engages the dog, makes them work and think and get back to using their nose.