How to use the dog nose work mat difficulty selector
A snuffle mat changes completely depending on how many treats go in and where they are tucked, and there is no accepted chart saying what level one looks like. That leaves the levels up to you. Define how many levels you are using and what a session has to hit to move up, enter this session’s record, and this selector tells you whether it reads as a repeat of the current level or as meeting the next one.
The math is find rate = treats found alone divided by treats hidden, times 100, shown to one decimal, and the formula appears in the result. The rate mark is inclusive at or above your number, and the time mark is inclusive at or below it, so an exactly matching session passes. Enrichment work of this kind appears in everyday care guidance from groups such as AAHA and AAFP, which do not define difficulty levels. Current as of October 2026.
This tool does not score intelligence or scenting ability and does not recommend products or hiding patterns. This tool is for reference only and does not replace veterinary care. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice symptoms or suspect a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
No published scale is established, so you define the number of levels and the marks for moving up. This tool only compares your session record against the marks you entered.
A common approach is to take a session where your dog found almost everything with time left over and use that as the mark, then raise the rate or tighten the time gradually.
Count only the treats found without help and leave out the ones you pointed at. The rate then comes out lower and the result reads as a repeat of the current level.