THE FOUNDATIONAL GUIDE
What it is.
When to use it.
How to introduce it.
Each piece in The Foundational Edit was chosen for daily use, with a focus on starting well from puppyhood and staying useful as your dog grows. This guide walks you through each item so you can introduce it with confidence, whatever stage you're at.
"There's no one-size-fits-all here. Use this as a starting point, then follow your dog's lead. You know them best."
Have a puppy?
See the Puppy Guide →HOW TO GET STARTED
Introduce one thing at a time.
- — Start with one item at a time not the whole box at once
- — Keep first sessions short and low-pressure
- — Use familiar food before trying anything new
- — Supervise until you know how your dog uses each piece
- — Put it away while it's still going well
- — Try again tomorrow if your dog seems unsure
A NOTE BEFORE YOU START
Go slowly.
Let them lead.
New items can take time, especially for puppies or dogs who are still building confidence. There's no rush. The goal is a calm, positive association, not a perfect first session. If your dog seems unsure, put it away and try again tomorrow.
01
FOOD-GRADE SILICONE
The Lick Mat
Calm focus. One layer at a time.
Food-grade silicone with a textured surface designed to hold soft food in place. The lick mat encourages slower, repetitive licking, which can help create a calmer, more settled state. Made from food-grade silicone and dishwasher safe.
When to use
Enrichment sessions, transitions, and wind-down
Use it when you want to help your dog settle, like before guests arrive, during a work call, or as part of an evening wind-down. It can also be useful during grooming or vet prep to help build a positive association. Different purpose to the slow feeder: this is about licking and settling, not slowing a full meal.
How to use
Getting started
- Spread with a soft food your dog already knows and enjoys
- such as yoghurt
- xylitol-free peanut butter
- or wet food
- Freeze for a longer-lasting session
- Use it consistently so your dog learns what it predicts
- Wash after each use with warm soapy water or in the dishwasher
What to watch for
What's normal
Most dogs engage quickly. If yours doesn't, try a higher-value spread or let them watch you prepare it. The goal is steady, relaxed licking, not frantic eating. If they try to pick it up and carry it, place it on top of the slow feeder and use the suction base to help keep it in place.
Looking for filling ideas? See our lick mat ideas guide →
02
FOOD-GRADE SILICONE
The Slow Feeder
Slow feeding, daily, without the guesswork.
A food-grade silicone slow feeder designed for mealtimes. The raised ridges and grooves help extend eating time, which may be useful for dogs who tend to gulp or rush their food. Stable, washable, and made for daily use.
When to use
Mealtimes
Swap your dog's regular bowl for the slow feeder at mealtimes. Particularly useful for dogs that eat too fast, finish quickly and immediately seek more, or seem unsettled after eating. Different purpose to the lick mat: this is about slowing consumption, not licking-based enrichment.
How to use
Starting out
- Use in place of your dog's regular bowl
- Start with their usual wet or dry food
- Press the food lightly into the grooves
- Place on a flat
- stable surface or use the suction base to secure it
- Too small for the full portion? Refill once
- Wash after each use with warm soapy water or in the dishwasher
What to watch for
Signs to look for
If your dog becomes frustrated rather than slowed, try a softer food or a slightly smaller portion for the first few sessions. The aim is steadier eating, not a puzzle they give up on. Most dogs adjust within a few meals.
03
UPCYCLED COFFEE WOOD
The Coffee Wood Chew
A natural chew that earns its place in the daily routine.
Made from retired coffee trees, this is a dense natural chew with no added flavourings or synthetic hardeners. Coffee wood gradually wears down into soft, brush-like fibres rather than sharp splinters. For many dogs, it offers a satisfying outlet for chewing and can support daily oral engagement.
When to use
Anytime your dog needs to chew
Coffee wood is suited to independent chewing sessions when your dog wants an outlet for their natural urge to gnaw. It can also be used alongside other enrichment to extend a calm activity period.
How to use
Introducing the chew
- Sizes: S (up to 10kg) / M (up to 20kg) / L (up to 40kg)
- Size up for strong chewers
- Offer it directly and let your dog explore at their own pace
- Supervise the first few sessions to understand how your dog chews
- Some dogs chew softly
- others more intensely. Both can be normal
- Replace once it becomes small enough to swallow
What to watch for
What's normal
Light fraying and small fibrous flakes are normal. That's how coffee wood wears. Saliva softens these fibres, which is why they tend to stay soft rather than sharp. If larger pieces break off, remove them. If your dog is breaking chunks off rather than gnawing at the surface, supervise closely and discontinue use if needed.
04
FSC-CERTIFIED NATURAL RUBBER
The Natural Rubber Ring
Natural rubber. Daily play, less guesswork.
Made from FSC-certified natural rubber with no synthetic blends. Lightly vanilla scented and designed for daily play, fetch, tug, or solo carrying around. Solid and durable, with a simple shape dogs can easily pick up and engage with.
When to use
Play, solo chewing, or daily rotation
Suitable for fetch, tug, solo chewing, or simply carrying around. Rotate it with the coffee wood chew to help keep both feeling interesting. Dogs often engage more with items that are not always available.
How to use
Getting started
- Introduce it during an energetic moment when your dog is ready to play
- Use it for tug or fetch to help build a positive association
- Store it away between sessions to help keep it interesting
- Rinse or pop it in the top of the dishwasher after muddy outdoor use.
What to watch for
Signs of wear
Natural rubber will show wear over time, especially with heavier chewers. Check it regularly for splits, loose pieces, or chunks coming away. If it is breaking down beyond surface wear, replace it.
BEFORE YOU RECYCLE IT
The Box.
Use it for one more thing first.
The box your edit arrived in can double as a simple enrichment activity.
The tissue paper is recyclable too. Before you recycle it, scrunch it up and hide treats inside. The texture and scent make it more interesting than it looks.
WHAT TO DO WITH IT
- — Remove any stickers before use
- — Fold the box flaps inward and hide a few pieces of dry food or treats inside
- — Scrunch the tissue paper and hide treats in that too
- — Place it on the floor and let your dog work it out at their own pace
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Most dogs investigate straight away. If yours seems unsure, place a treat on top first to help them get started. Some dogs will prefer to rip it apart. That is fine. The goal is engagement, not tidiness. Supervise and remove any large pieces if chewing starts to replace sniffing. When you're done, recycle the box and tissue paper.
INCLUDED IN THE EDIT
This guide comes
with every order.
Bookmark this digital guide to refer to in future, or share it with anyone who helps care for your dog. More videos and guidance will be added over time.
THE FOUNDATIONAL EDIT
Ready to start.
Built to last.
Every material explained. Every question answered. You've already made the right call — now make the most of it.
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