What if your reactive dog didn’t need to be fixed—just understood?

In this episode of How to Have a Happy Dog Without Going for a Walk, I’m talking about reactive dogs—those who bark, lunge, or struggle around others—and why trying to turn them into "normal" dogs often does more harm than good. I believe reactive dogs deserve lives that are adapted to their needs, not shaped around our expectations.

You’ll hear the story of Orla, a senior rescue dog who came to live with me while I was running a daycare centre. I initially thought she’d be an easy fit—until she decompressed and her dog reactivity became clear. Rather than force her into environments she couldn’t cope with, I made changes to support her version of a happy life. That meant private walks, distance from unknown dogs, trick training at home, and a strong bond built through trust and communication—not pressure.

I also share why I don’t feel guilty for leaving certain dogs at home, like Mungo, when we go on family holidays. A peaceful dog isn’t one who’s doing all the things we want—it’s one who’s not doing the things that cause them stress.

If you’re parenting a reactive dog, this episode is a reminder that your dog isn’t broken. You’ll learn how to read their signals, respond with compassion, and use enrichment and trick training to meet their needs—without expecting them to enjoy busy parks, group walks, or chaotic social outings.

I’m Laura Carter—dog trainer, author of The Vet Says Rest (available now on Amazon), and founder of Wags Without Walks. You can find out more, join our online community, or explore training programmes like Reliable Recall, Pulling to Perfect, and Smart Puppy at www.lauracartercanines.com.

Follow along on social media @lauracartercanines and @wags_without_walks—and if this episode helped you see your dog in a new light, please share it with someone else who needs to hear that it's okay not to fix everything.

In this powerful second episode of How to Have a Happy Dog Without Going for a Walk, I’m sharing the story that had to come first—Mungo’s.Mungo is a working cocker spaniel who came into my life with a long list of challenges: reactivity, guarding, zero recall, and a history that included multiple homes and even a near miss with euthanasia. On paper, he was a dog who needed more walks, more exercise, more "wearing out." But the truth turned out to be the opposite.I’m Laura Carter—dog trainer, founder of Wags Without Walks, and author of The Vet Says Rest (available on Amazon). In this episode, I talk openly about what it’s really like to live with a dog like Mungo. From our early days together to our move to rural Scotland, you’ll hear how trying to force him into the “ideal pet dog” mould only made things harder—and how giving him space, structure, and meaningful enrichment changed everything.This episode is for anyone struggling with a dog who seems too much. If you’ve ever felt like more exercise only winds your dog up, or like walks are making behaviour worse instead of better, Mungo’s story will hit home.You’ll also hear about the tools that helped him thrive, like scent work, trick training, and having a safe space of his own. Because the answer to a happy, balanced dog isn’t always a longer walk—it’s the right kind of support.To find out more, join my online community, or sign up for courses like Smart Puppy, Reliable Recall, and Pulling to Perfect, visit www.lauracartercanines.com.And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram and Facebook @lauracartercanines and @wags_without_walks. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with someone else who needs to hear that there is another way.

What if skipping your daily dog walk didn’t make you a bad owner—but actually made your dog happier?

Welcome to the very first episode of How to Have a Happy Dog Without Going for a Walk. I’m Laura Carter—dog trainer, author of The Vet Says Rest (available now on Amazon), and mum to five amazing dogs. In this introductory episode, I’m sharing my story, my journey into dog training, and how I discovered a completely different way to raise calm, connected dogs—without relying on daily walks.

You’ll get to know my dogs Siri, Mungo, Emba, Dexter, and Kody, and hear how each of them has helped shape the way I train and live with dogs today. I also talk about my big move from Kent to rural Scotland, the dream training space we’ve built here, and how I created Wags Without Walks—my online community for owners who want something better than stressful lead walks and guilt-fuelled routines.

If you’ve ever felt like walking your dog is more of a struggle than a joy, or wondered if there’s another way, this podcast is for you. I’ll be offering advice, sharing stories, and giving you fun, practical ideas to build a better relationship with your dog—right at home.

Find out more, sign up for my online training programmes like Smart Puppy, Reliable Recall, and Pulling to Perfect, and join the community at www.lauracartercanines.com.

And come say hi on social media @lauracartercanines and @wags_without_walks. Let’s change the way we think about walking our dogs—and start building calmer, happier lives together.