Mat (Settle) Training

Being able to hang out in a relaxed way is an important life skill that may need to be taught.

Some notes on terminology:

  • “Mat” can also mean a dog bed. Using an actual mat such as a bath mat or towel has the advantage of being portable so you can use it in environments such as the vet’s office.
  • “Settle” can also be the behavior of calmly lying down. This can be done without a mat, but having a physical target (mat) is helpful especially when getting started.

There are a couple of ways we can teach this behavior:

  • When the dog performs the behavior on his own, reward him. The more he’s rewarded in this way, the more the behavior will be repeated.
  • Training more formally with incremental steps.

The Easy Way

When you see the dog on the mat, make tasty things drop from above. The more learning history of being rewarded for being on the mat, the more likely he will choose that location.

If you’re giving the dog something to lick or chew, give it to them on the mat. Don’t worry if the dog leaves the mat with the item; what’s important is the association between the mat and good things. (Assumption: this is being done in an environment away from other dogs to prevent conflict.)

It’s perfectly fine to keep it simple (and preferable for dogs who need to decompress). Don’t worry about verbal cues either to go to the mat or a release cue. Don’t worry if the dog leaves the mat. Just keep reinforcing the idea that the mat equals good things.

Video: “Doing Chores With Milo” – weaving mat training into everyday activities. Notice how she sets the dog up for success! From Kiki Yablon, How to Teach Your Dog to “Do Nothing”.

Set the Environment to Help You

Start with a mat. Having a target that is physically different from the flooring surface will help them understand what you’re expecting. “Settle” without a mat can come later.

Comfort of a soft mat (or dog bed) should be inviting.

Put the mat in a location that the dog favors. Make it easier for the dog to choose to be on the mat. If their choice isn’t where you’d prefer them to be, you can move it later after the dog understands mat = good things.

Pick a calm environment that the dog will find less distracting.

Reinforcers and Delivery

This isn’t the time for a treat that rolls across the floor. Hand deliver the treat or choose a softer item that is more likely to stay where it lands. You can also deliver a lickable reward from a spoon or a squeeze tube.

When the dog is on the mat, it may be best to not mark the behavior (click or “Good!”) in order to keep the excitement level low.

Encourage Relaxation

Once the dog is readily going to the mat, encourage relaxation by rewarding “in position”. Deliver the treat to the dog’s side, passing it by his nose on the way. This lures him into a rolled-on-side position, rather than a “ready to spring up” stance. Practice your aim; over time, you’ll be able to hit this spot from a distance away. If the dog reliably rolls to one side, choose that side. If not, you can teach a solid “relax” on either side.

A More Formal Way to Train

The links below explain how to more formally train a “settle on a mat” behavior. There is nothing wrong with either approach, but it takes a bit more effort to train, and we need to go at the dog’s pace which may be slower for a dog who is decompressing.

Adding a Verbal Cue

Don’t rush adding a verbal cue. Wait until the dog is likely to perform the behavior before adding a verbal cue such as “settle”

Additional Uses for the “Settle on a Mat” Behavior

Mat training for furniture

A thinner mat (or dog blanket) can be used to indicate where they are allowed to be on the furniture. Allowed to be on the couch/bed if the mat/blanket is present.

Practice moving the mat to different locations on the furniture to make a connection with the mat and not that location on the couch.

Mat training to relax at locations outside of the home

If they’re already comfortable with a mat/stay behavior, a more portable mat may be used to help them relax at places like the vet.

Before this behavior will work in a stressful environment like a vet’s office, you’ll need to gradually work in increasingly difficult environments. Start in the home including practicing in different locations within the home, then outside in the yard, and finally take it on road. You may need to be creative in finding environments for training that are away from home but not as stressful as the vet’s office.

Copyright 2025, Jeanne Spreen and Angela Amundson. All rights reserved. Please ask us before reproducing in any way. Please link to the articles rather than copying content to your site. Thank you.

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