In this episode of How to Have a Happy Dog Without Going for a Walk, we’re exploring a fresh perspective on keeping your dog happy and fulfilled. Walks are great, but they’re not the only way to meet your dog’s needs. Life can throw curveballs—bad weather, injuries, or reactive behaviours can make walks tricky or even impossible. That’s where enrichment, mental stimulation, and creative indoor activities come in!

What’s Covered in This Episode:

Why Walks Aren’t the Only Solution

Walks are wonderful for physical exercise, but they’re just one part of a bigger picture. Mental stimulation is just as vital for your dog’s overall wellbeing. We discuss how creative games, interactive activities, and meaningful bonding time can provide enrichment that goes beyond physical exertion.

Winter Wellness and Comfort for Your Dog

Winter brings unique challenges for dogs, including dry skin from central heating and stiff joints in colder weather. We share practical tips for:

Grooming for coat and skin health.

Keeping your dog active indoors with low-impact exercises.

Creating cosy spaces to help them relax during the colder months.

Managing Sensory Overload During the Festive Season

The holidays can be overwhelming for dogs with all the flashing lights, decorations, visitors, and seasonal scents. Learn how to:

Create safe spaces for your dog to retreat and relax.

Gradually introduce holiday changes to avoid overstimulation.

Use calming enrichment tools like snuffle mats and stuffed Kongs to help them feel grounded.

Activity of the Week: Muzzle Training with a Yogurt Pot

Muzzle training is a valuable skill for every dog. Using a yogurt pot or small plant pot, we guide you through a fun and simple way to introduce your dog to wearing a muzzle. This activity not only builds confidence but also lays the foundation for a freeze indication, a key skill in scent work. It’s perfect for quiet, cosy evenings on the sofa and strengthens your bond with your dog.

Wags Without Walks Membership

Need more ideas to keep your dog entertained during winter? The Wags Without Walks membership offers:

• Fun, easy-to-follow activities and monthly challenges.
• A supportive community of like-minded dog owners.
• Resources to keep your dog enriched and happy, no matter the weather.

This episode is packed with ideas to kickstart your journey toward a happier, more balanced life with your dog. Learn how to adapt your routine, create meaningful enrichment opportunities, and embrace the winter months as a chance to deepen your connection with your furry friend.

For more resources and enrichment ideas, visit LauraCarterCanines.com and follow me on social media:

• Instagram: @lauracartercanines
• Facebook: @lauracartercanines

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In this episode of How to Have a Happy Dog Without Going for a Walk, we’re focusing on indoor enrichment and creative ways to keep your dog mentally stimulated and content, especially when outdoor adventures aren’t always possible. Whether it's using puzzle toys, DIY projects, or teaching tricks, there are endless ways to enrich your dog’s life indoors.

• Using Puzzle Toys for Mental Stimulation — Puzzle toys offer engaging ways for dogs to work for treats, making them perfect for rainy or cold days when walks aren’t feasible. From treat-dispensing balls to complex slider puzzles, we explore different types of toys that cater to your dog’s skills and keep them busy.

• Snuffle Mats and Lick Mats for Calming Enrichment — Dogs love using their noses, and snuffle mats let them forage through fleece strips for hidden treats, tapping into their natural instincts. Lick mats provide soothing, repetitive licking activity, perfect for dogs prone to anxiety. Both options help slow down their eating and offer enrichment in a compact, manageable way.

• DIY Enrichment with Household Items — You don’t need fancy equipment for enrichment! Discover how simple items like toilet rolls, lettuce leaves, and towels can create fun activities. We discuss safety tips and creative ideas for budget-friendly enrichment that encourages sniffing, shredding, and problem-solving.

• Trick Training for Mental Exercise and Bonding — Trick training is more than just fun; it’s a great way to strengthen your bond, challenge your dog’s mind, and reinforce obedience. We talk about how learning tricks benefits both you and your dog, creating a meaningful routine indoors.

• Scent Games for Small Spaces — Scent games like the “freeze” and beginner scent detection are ideal for small spaces. Using objects like coins and red Kongs, we cover scent activities that teach dogs focus and patience while giving them a mental workout.

This episode is packed with practical ideas to keep your dog’s tail wagging through the colder months. Tune in to discover how to adapt your routine for winter and learn some exciting ways to enrich your dog’s life indoors!

For more enrichment ideas and training resources, visit ⁠⁠LauraCarterCanines.com⁠⁠ and connect with us on social media:

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@lauracartercanines⁠⁠
• Facebook: ⁠⁠@lauracartercanines⁠

In this episode of How to Have a Happy Dog Without Going for a Walk, we’re diving into how to keep your dog engaged and fulfilled as the days grow shorter and the temperatures drop. With a few easy adjustments, you can create a winter-friendly routine to keep your dog happy and calm, even if daily walks aren’t as practical.

Highlights:

• Adjusting routines for darker days — Tips for helping your dog adapt to new activity cues and routines, so they still feel fulfilled even when walks are limited.

• Making the most of natural light — Quick ideas to maximize any daylight you do have, whether that’s a short game in the garden or a few minutes of fresh air to boost their spirits.

• Enrichment over exercise — Why mental stimulation can be just as satisfying as physical exercise, and how to make the most of indoor activities with the TESS system: Tricks/Training, Equipment Games, Sensory Activities, and Scent Work.

• Safety essentials for dark walks — Reflective gear, buddy walking, and other key tips to keep winter walks safe and enjoyable, if you do venture out.

• Activity of the Week: Cardboard Box Treasure Hunt — A fun, easy enrichment game that lets your dog use their sniffing skills to hunt for treats and toys in old boxes. Perfect for a cosy night in!

This episode is perfect for anyone looking to keep their dog content through the colder months, with indoor enrichment and a few practical winter adjustments. Tune in to get inspired and learn how to keep those tails wagging all winter long!

For more enrichment ideas and training resources and to join Wags without Walks, visit ⁠LauraCarterCanines.com⁠ and connect with us on social media:

• Instagram: ⁠@lauracartercanines⁠
• Facebook: ⁠@lauracartercanines

In this episode of How to Have a Happy Dog Without Going for a Walk, we explore creative ways to turn your indoor space into a haven of enrichment for your dog, no matter the size of your home. From setting up cosy rest zones to organising toys and using everyday furniture as play props, this episode is packed with ideas to keep your dog happy and engaged indoors.

Highlights:

• How to create designated play and relaxation areas for mental and physical balance.
• Tips for organising toys and enrichment items to keep things fresh.
• Ideas for transforming common furniture into agility-friendly “obstacles.”
• Why cosy, sunlit spots are essential for your dog’s well-being, especially in colder months.

This episode is perfect for anyone looking to maximise indoor enrichment, whether due to limited space, bad weather, or just a busy schedule. Tune in, get inspired, and bring new energy into your time at home with your dog!

For more enrichment ideas and training resources and to join Wags without Walks, visit LauraCarterCanines.com and connect with us on social media:

• Instagram: @lauracartercanines
• Facebook: @lauracartercanines

In the final episode of the TESS mini-series, we delve into Scent Work—a brilliant activity that taps into your dog’s natural ability to sniff out scents. Scent work is an excellent way to mentally stimulate your dog, whether they’re young, old, large, or small. I’ll walk you through how to get started with scent work at home and share stories from my own experience competing with my dogs. Whether you have a Chihuahua like my daughter’s dog, Dexter, or a Rottweiler, scent work is something all dogs can excel at!

I’m Laura Carter, a dog trainer and scent work enthusiast. Based in Scotland, I teach scent work classes and run workshops that help dogs use their natural sniffing abilities to engage their minds. I compete with my Dalmatian, Siri, and my Spaniel, Mungo, and have seen first-hand how scent work can benefit any dog, regardless of breed or size.

Download my free guide, "Do You Find Walking Your Reactive Dog Stressful?", and check out Wags Without Walks, my online programme full of fun, enriching activities for dogs who need alternatives to walks.

Visit https://lauracartercanines.com to download your freebie and learn more!

In this episode, we explore Sensory Activities—fun ways to engage your dog’s five senses and mentally stimulate them at home.

From scent games to sound-based activities, this episode shows you how to enrich your dog’s environment without needing to cover long distances.

Inspired by Sarah Fisher’s ACE Freework, i'll also discuss how sensory activities help dogs of all ages and abilities build confidence and relax. These activities are ideal for engaging your dog in a fulfilling, low-impact way.

I’m Laura Carter, a professional dog trainer with a passion for enriching dogs’ lives. After moving to Scotland, I began focusing on helping owners find fun, creative alternatives to walks. I’ve been competing in scent work trials with my dogs Siri and Mungo, and I run workshops designed to give dogs of all ages and abilities the mental enrichment they need to stay happy and fulfilled.

Download my free guide, "Do You Find Walking Your Reactive Dog Stressful?", and learn more about Wags Without Walks, my online programme designed to provide fun and enriching activities for dogs, even when walks aren’t always possible.

Head to https://lauracartercanines.com for your freebie and more details!

In Episode 2 of our TESS mini-series, we dive into Equipment Games, a fantastic way to help your dog build confidence around everyday objects like crates, muzzles, cones, and ramps. Equipment games introduce your dog to these items in a stress-free, positive environment, helping them feel comfortable long before they need to use them. These games are not only practical but also provide mental stimulation and fun, allowing your dog to explore new objects without pressure.

I’m Laura Carter, a dog trainer and scent work competitor based in Scotland. With over 15 years of experience, I’m passionate about helping pet owners find creative ways to keep their dogs engaged, especially when walks aren’t always possible. In this series, I’m sharing my TESS system, a programme designed to give dogs mental stimulation and enrichment, no matter their age or physical condition.

To learn more about keeping your dog happy without walks, download my free guide, "Do You Find Walking Your Reactive Dog Stressful?".

You’ll also want to check out Wags Without Walks, my online programme full of fun, walk-free activities.

Head over to https://lauracartercanines.com for your freebie and more details about the programme.

In the first episode of the TESS mini-series, I explore the world of Tricks & Training—a fun and effective way to keep your dog mentally engaged, even when walks aren’t possible.

Whether your dog is learning to spin, bow, or touch their nose to your hand, teaching tricks is a brilliant way to enrich their life, build your bond, and give them a sense of accomplishment.

Trick training can be adapted for dogs of all ages, breeds, and abilities, and in this episode, I’ll guide you through the simple steps to get started.

I’m Laura Carter, a professional dog trainer with over 15 years of experience. Since moving to Scotland, I’ve been teaching classes and running workshops focused on enriching dogs’ lives, even when walks are limited. My goal is to help dog owners discover the joy of creating a mentally stimulating environment for their pets. When I’m not training, you can find me competing in scent work trials with my Dalmatian, Siri, and my Spaniel, Mungo.

Want more ways to enrich your dog’s life? Download my free guide, "Do You Find Walking Your Reactive Dog Stressful?", and discover more activities to keep your dog happy.

You can also learn about Wags Without Walks, my online programme filled with fun games and activities for when walks aren’t an option.

Visit https://lauracartercanines.com to get your freebie and explore the programme!