Pawsitive Mind
Calm Start Guide — Starter Kit

Your 14-Day Calm Start Plan

A practical first week with your new enrichment tools.

Before You Begin

  • Always supervise enrichment sessions.
  • Use part of your dog's daily food allowance — no extra calories.
  • Start easy — early success builds confidence.
  • Sessions: 10–15 minutes. Quality over duration.
  • Xylitol-free spreads only on the Lick Mat.

Week 1 — Building the Habit

Day Focus What to do
1 Introduce mat Scatter treats on top of the Snuffle Mat — visible wins only. Positive first experience matters most.
2 First forage Tuck treats lightly into the fabric folds. Praise calm, focused sniffing.
3 Lick Mat intro Spread wet food, plain yogurt, or xylitol-free peanut butter. Offer while already calm. Note how quickly licking produces visible relaxation.
4 Combine both Snuffle Mat 8 minutes then Lick Mat as a cool-down. This sequence becomes your core daily routine.
5 Pre-stress use Offer the Lick Mat before a predictable stressor: bath, guests, loud noise. Note the difference in response.
6 Pre-departure Run a 10–12 minute Snuffle Mat session immediately before leaving the house. A mentally tired dog settles far faster alone.
7 Rest + observe Lick Mat only today. Reflect: is your dog sleeping more, settling faster, less reactive? Note your baselines.
After Week 1: Continue rotating both tools daily. Begin hiding treats deeper in the mat folds. Freeze the Lick Mat for a longer, more effective session. Consistency drives long-term results.

Safety

  • Supervise all sessions — not unsupervised chew toys.
  • Check all spreads for xylitol before use.
  • Machine wash Snuffle Mat at 30°C regularly.
  • If food guarding or aggression appears, stop immediately and consult a qualified behaviourist.

Want the full 14-day programme?

This guide covers the critical first week. The Calm Essential Kit includes the complete 14-day plan plus the Treat Puzzle. The Premium and Ultimate Kits include behaviour modification strategies, separation anxiety protocols, and pheromone support.

Visit pawsitivemind.co.uk to upgrade.

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Calm Start Guide — included with the Pawsitive Mind Calm Starter Kit