Want a calmer dog without adding more chaos to the day?
Some dog enrichment ideas are complicated, messy, or take longer to prepare than they do for your dog to finish. This one is simple: sniff, snack, snooze.
The Pet Remedy Boredom Buster Forager is a soft, roll-up foraging mat designed to get your dog using their nose, brain, and natural problem-solving skills. It is brilliant for rainy days, busy minds, winding down after training, or helping your dog settle when they need something calm to focus on.
Mental stimulation for dogs does not need to be complicated. Sometimes the best enrichment is the kind that taps into what dogs naturally love doing: sniffing, searching, eating, and then having a well-earned snooze.
Why Sniffing Helps Dogs Calm Down
Sniffing is not just “something dogs do”. It is a huge part of how dogs explore the world, gather information, and decompress.
When a dog is sniffing properly, their brain is working hard. You can often hear it, especially when they are really concentrating. In the video, Blue’s nose was working overtime, and afterwards he was completely settled. For anyone who knows Blue, that is quite the review.
This is why I talk so much about chewing, licking, and sniffing. These activities can help lower arousal, give dogs an appropriate outlet, and support calmer behaviour without us needing to constantly cue, interrupt, or manage every second.
If your dog is often frantic, barky, bitey, or unable to settle, it is worth looking at their daily outlets before assuming they just need more “obedience”. As I explain in the 6 essentials before dog training works, training is much easier when your dog’s basic needs are being met first.
Not every dog needs more hype. Many dogs need calmer outlets that help them switch off.
Pet Remedy Boredom Buster Forager Review
The Pet Remedy Boredom Buster Forager is one of those enrichment toys that hits the sweet spot. It is interesting enough to give your dog a proper challenge, but not so difficult that it becomes frustrating.
To set it up, roll it flat, hide treats inside the pockets and little envelope sections, add a light spritz of Pet Remedy calming spray if you use it, then roll it up tight and let your dog investigate.
I used Pet Munchies Sushi Treats because they are soft, smelly, and motivating, which makes them ideal for sniffing games and foraging activities.
Blue had a calm, methodical approach. Bear, being Bear, took a slightly different route, but he stayed with it beautifully. It took him around 26 minutes to find every last treat, and afterwards he was one tired puppy.
That is what I like about this forager. It does not just occupy a dog. It gives them something purposeful to do.
Great for Rainy Days, Rest Days, and Busy Minds
Not every dog needs more ball chasing, more running, or more hype. In fact, many dogs who seem “full of energy” actually need calmer outlets that help them switch off.
This is especially useful on rainy days, after a busy walk, during recovery days, or when life has been a bit full-on. A foraging activity gives your dog something appropriate to focus on without sending their arousal through the roof.
If you have a dog who struggles to settle, our guide on how to calm a hyper dog explains why calmer outlets often work better than simply trying to tire dogs out physically.
It can also be useful for puppies who get wild in the evening. If your puppy regularly turns into a land shark at 7pm, it may be worth reading why puppies get zoomies alongside adding more calm enrichment into their routine.
Fulfilled, Not Frustrated
Enrichment should not just be about making something harder. Harder is not always better.
The best enrichment activities give your dog a job they can actually succeed at. They should encourage natural behaviour, build confidence, and help your dog feel satisfied afterwards.
That is one of the reasons I like the Boredom Buster Forager. It encourages sniffing and problem-solving, but it still feels achievable. Bear had to work for the treats, but he was not getting irritated or giving up.
This matters because unmet needs often spill into behaviours owners find frustrating. Counter surfing, scavenging, barking, pestering, and general chaos can all be influenced by a dog looking for something to do. Of course, enrichment is not a magic wand, but it is often an important part of the bigger picture.
If your dog is always hunting for food on worktops, our guide on how to stop dog counter surfing explains why prevention and appropriate outlets are so important.
How to Use the Pet Remedy Boredom Buster Forager
Here is a simple way to set it up:
- Roll the forager flat.
- Hide a few treats in the pockets.
- Use smellier treats if your dog needs extra motivation.
- Add treats into the envelope-style sections for a little more challenge.
- Roll it back up tightly.
- Place it on the floor and supervise your dog while they forage.
For beginners, make it easy. Let them win quickly. Once they understand the game, you can make it slightly more challenging by tucking treats deeper into the pockets.
This same principle applies to all food-based enrichment. In Ditch the Food Bowl, I explain why using meals more creatively can make daily feeding more mentally satisfying for dogs.
Just remember, enrichment should be supervised, especially if your dog is likely to chew or shred fabric items. If your dog needs a chewing outlet, pair this kind of sniffing activity with safe chewing options too. Our dog chewing guide can help with that.
Can This Help Reactive Dogs?
It depends on the dog and the situation, but sniffing games can be incredibly useful for dogs who need calm, structured ways to use their brain.
This does not mean handing a forager to a dog in the middle of a huge reaction and hoping for the best. But away from triggers, scent-based activities can support decompression, confidence, and calmer patterns of behaviour.
If you are working with a reactive dog, you may also like this calm game for reactive dogs. It follows the same broad idea: give the dog a task that helps them focus and settle rather than adding more pressure.
Scent work can also be brilliant for engagement. If you want your dog to stay more connected with you outside, scent work for engagement off lead is a helpful next read.
Get 25% Off the Pet Remedy Boredom Buster Forager
If you want an easy enrichment activity that encourages sniffing, problem-solving, and calm focus, the Pet Remedy Boredom Buster Forager is a really useful one to have at home.
Use code HPDT25 for 25% off anything on the Pet Remedy Store.
Bear spent nearly half an hour working through his, then settled straight afterwards. That is exactly the kind of enrichment I like: simple, natural, calming, and actually useful.
FAQ
Does sniffing really tire dogs out?
Yes, sniffing can be mentally tiring because your dog is using their nose, brain, and problem-solving skills. It is often calmer and more regulating than simply adding more physical exercise.
Is the Pet Remedy Boredom Buster Forager good for rainy days?
Yes. It is a great rainy day dog enrichment idea because it gives your dog a calm indoor activity that encourages sniffing, foraging, and problem-solving without needing lots of space.
Can puppies use a foraging mat?
Many puppies can enjoy simple foraging activities, but they should always be supervised. Start easy, use suitable treats, and remove the mat if your puppy tries to chew or shred it.
What treats work well in the Boredom Buster Forager?
Smelly, motivating treats work best because they encourage your dog to use their nose. Pet Munchies Sushi Treats are a good option because they have a strong smell and are easy to hide in the pockets.
Can enrichment help a hyper dog calm down?
It can help as part of the bigger picture. Calm enrichment such as sniffing, licking, and chewing can give dogs appropriate outlets and support relaxation, especially when combined with enough sleep, sensible exercise, and good routines.
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