Towel knot treat puzzle
A tea towel rolled around a few treats and tied in a loose knot: a free, five-minute snuffle mat.
What you need
- Old towel or blanket
- Small treats
- Your pet's regular food or kibble — optional
How to do it
- Lay a towel flat on the floor and put a few small, dry treats in the middle.
- Fold it lengthways over the treats and tie one loose knot.
- Put it down and let your dog sniff, nose and paw it open. Praise when the treats appear.
- For more challenge, roll several towels in a row with treats in each, or tie the knot a little tighter once your dog is good at it.
⚠️ Safety
Supervision: Stay with your pet the whole time.
Stay with your dog and take the towel away once the treats are found. A dog that starts chewing or ripping the fabric could swallow pieces. Cornell lists socks and pieces of clothing among the most common things dogs swallow, and most such blockages need surgery. Use an old towel with no loose threads or tassels.
👀 What to watch for
If your dog gives up or starts chewing the towel instead of sniffing, loosen the knot or leave one end open so the first treat is easy to reach.
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