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!