How to teach a dog to settle: Easy step-by-step mat training guide

You've just sat down with a cup of tea. Your dog, however, has other ideas – pacing, nudging your arm, dropping a toy in your lap, then pacing again. If you're wondering how to teach a dog to settle, you're in the right place. Settling is a skill, just like sit or recall, and the good news is that any dog can learn it. This guide shows you how to teach a calm "settle" on a mat, step by step.

At a glance:

Settling is learned: Most dogs don't switch off on their own – we have to show them that calm pays.

A mat makes it easy: A dedicated mat gives your dog a clear "this is where we relax" spot.

Reward calm, not just position: Treat the soft eyes and slow breathing, not only the lying down.

Little and often: A few minutes a day beats one long session at the weekend.

In this guide:

• Why won't my dog settle?
• What you'll need
• How to teach a dog to settle: step by step
• Taking settle out and about
• Common mistakes
• Choosing the right treats for settle training

Why won't my dog settle?

There are lots of everyday reasons a dog finds it hard to switch off:

• Not enough of the right activity. A dog who hasn't had a chance to sniff, explore and use their brain may still have energy to burn.
• Too much excitement. Overtired dogs, like overtired toddlers, can become more wound up, not less.
• Habit. If pacing and nudging have always earned attention, your dog has learned that it works.
• Young age or breed. Puppies and busy working breeds often need extra help learning an "off switch".

If your dog has suddenly become restless, or seems uncomfortable when lying down, it's worth getting them checked. If your dog has a health condition, is on medication or you're worried about a change in them, please speak to your vet first.

What you'll need

• A mat or blanket that only comes out for settle practice
• Small, tasty treats you can deliver quickly and quietly
• A quiet room with few distractions to start
• A relaxed dog – practise after a walk, not before

How to teach a dog to settle: step by step

Step 1: Make the mat a great place to be

Put the mat down and drop a treat on it. When your dog steps on to the mat, calmly place another treat on it. Repeat a few times. You're teaching your dog that good things happen on the mat.

Step 2: Reward lying down on the mat

Wait for your dog to lie down, or gently lure them into a down with a treat. As soon as they lie down on the mat, place a treat between their front paws. Placing the reward on the mat, rather than handing it over, keeps their attention down and calm.

Step 3: Reward the calm, not just the down

Now watch closely. Reward any sign of relaxation: a sigh, a head resting on paws, a hip rolling to one side, softer eyes. These are the moments you want more of. Keep your voice low and your movements slow.

Step 4: Build up time slowly

Start by rewarding every few seconds. Then gradually space the rewards out – every five seconds, then ten, then twenty. If your dog gets up, don't say anything. Simply wait, or calmly lure them back and make the next step a little easier.

Step 5: Add your cue

Once your dog is reliably heading to the mat and relaxing, add a word like "settle" in a soft voice just before you put the mat down. Over time, the mat and the word together become a signal to relax.

Step 6: Add distance and everyday life

Take one step away, then return and reward. Build up to moving around the room, opening a cupboard or sitting down to eat. Add one new challenge at a time, and go back a step if your dog finds it hard.

Mr Barnaby's top tip: Mr Barnaby learned his settle in the evenings while we watched TV. One small reward each time he sighed, and within a fortnight he was flopping on his mat by himself.

Taking settle out and about

Once settle is strong at home, bring the same mat with you. It becomes a little portable piece of home.

• At the pub or café: Pick a quiet corner, pop the mat down and reward calm behaviour often at first.
• Visiting friends: The mat gives your dog a clear job in a new place.
• Vet waiting rooms: A familiar mat can help your dog feel more at ease while you wait.
• Car journeys: Practise settle on the mat in the parked car before you set off.

Expect to go back a few steps each time the place is new. That's completely normal.

Common mistakes

• Practising when your dog is wound up. Start when they're already a bit sleepy – after a walk is ideal.
• Rewarding too excitedly. A high-pitched "good boy!" can bring your dog straight back up. Keep praise soft.
• Making sessions too long. Two to five minutes is plenty to start with.
• Using the mat as a punishment. Never send your dog to the mat as a telling-off. It should always feel like a good place.
• Expecting it to work straight away. Settling takes repetition. Most dogs improve steadily over a few weeks.

If you'd like a refresher on reward-based training, our guide to positive reinforcement dog training explains the basics. And if timing is your tricky bit, read when should you reward your dog?

Choosing the right treats for settle training

For settle work, the best treats are small, soft and quiet to eat. Crunchy biscuits can create crumbs and excitement, while tiny soft pieces let you reward calmly and often without fuss.

Our Meaty Mini Strips are soft and easy to break into tiny pieces, which makes them ideal for frequent, gentle rewards on the mat. Most are 100% one meat, grain-free and air-dried to lock in flavour, so they're a simple choice for sensitive dogs too.

You'll find more options in our training treats collection. Remember to count training treats as part of your dog's daily food, and adjust meals slightly on busy training days.

Summary:

Teaching a dog to settle is about showing them, step by step, that calm brings good things. Start with a dedicated mat, reward relaxation rather than just the down position, build up time slowly and keep sessions short and gentle. With a little practice, your dog will learn an "off switch" you can take anywhere.

FAQs:

Q1: How long does it take to teach a dog to settle?

Many dogs start heading to the mat within a few days, but a reliable settle in busy places usually takes a few weeks of short daily practice. Puppies and very energetic dogs may need a little longer.

Q2: Should I use a crate or a mat to teach settle?

Both can work, but a mat is portable, so you can take the same "relax here" spot to the pub, a friend's house or on holiday. Many owners use a crate at home and a mat for days out.

Q3: What if my dog won't settle at all?

Go back to an easier step. Practise after a walk or a sniffy game, use a quieter room and reward even the smallest sign of calm. If your dog seems unable to rest or uncomfortable lying down, speak to your vet.

Q4: Can I teach an older dog to settle?

Yes. Dogs of any age can learn new skills with patient, reward-based training. Older dogs often pick up settle quickly because they already enjoy a good rest.

Not sure which treats suit your dog? Take our 60-second quiz and we'll make it simple.