Enrichment Adventures at Home
Give Your Reactive Dog a Great Life - Even Without the Walk
You know this impossible choice all to well:
- If you walk your dog, you both end up stressed, bracing for the next dog, person, bike, noise, or surprise.
- If you don’t walk your dog, the guilt creeps in:
“They need exercise.”
“Am I failing them?”
“Am I making things worse?”
Some days are fine.
Other days… well...nope.
So even when nothing happens, you’re still tense.
And that’s exhausting.
For many reactive dogs, walks are overwhelming. And when stress outweighs benefit, it’s smart to do something different.
That’s where Enrichment Adventures at Home comes in.
What Is Enrichment Adventures at Home?
Enrichment Adventures at Home is a mini online course designed specifically for reactive dogs who struggle on walks.
We show you how to:
- meet your dog’s needs without relying on stressful walks.
- Replace (or support) walks with calming, confidence-building activities.
- Build your dog's confidence and problem-solving skills.
- Enjoy quality time together without being on high alert.
You’ll watch a short video, get inspired, and play a game with your dog — right at home.
Why Enrichment for Reactive Dogs?
Dogs are naturally curious problem-solvers. They want to explore, sniff, investigate and make choices.
Enrichment games allow your dog to do dog things safely, calmly, and successfully.
When done right, enrichment:
- lowers stress hormones
- boosts confidence
- supports emotional regulation
- reduces trigger sensitivity
- helps dogs feel safer in their world
Dogs who regularly engage in enriching activities are often less edgy, more settled and calmer on walks.
This isn’t about “keeping your dog busy.” It’s about helping your dog feel better.
How This Helps You
- Less guilt about not walking
- Fewer stressful outings
- More relaxed, meaningful time together
- Confidence that your dog’s needs are being met
- A well deserved break, for both of you
Instead of bracing for what’s around the next corner, you get to relax and enjoy your dog again.
"But Isn't the Walk the highlight of Their Day?"
For many non-reactive dogs, walks are… fine.
You’ve probably seen them: owners on their phones, little interaction and sometimes even running behind a car 😬
That’s not exactly a rich, connected life either.
For reactive dogs, walks are often unpredictable and stressful.
Your dog’s best life doesn’t happen on a walk. It happens when they feel safe, get to use their brain and connect with you.
That can happen right at home!
What You’ll Learn Inside:
- Brain Games: Build curiosity and problem-solving without overwhelm
- Sniff & Explore: Naturally calming activities that really help reactive dogs
- Confidence Builders: Games that help your dog feel capable and successful
- Calm Movement: Ways to move and stretch without tipping into over-arousal
- Easy when you're busy: Short videos, simple setups, easy to dip into anytime
“I have a really active dog, who needs to run”
Absolutely — dogs need movement.
But not all movement is helpful.
When running leads to over-arousal and explosive reactions, it stops being beneficial.
Enrichment Adventures includes games that allow safe movement, stretching, and running with regulation activities that drain energy without winding dogs up.
“My dog already eats from food toys all day”
That’s a great start.
But enrichment is more than just ditching the bowl.
This course shows you
- how to use food intentionally
- when games are calming vs stimulating
- how to promote curiosity, and confidence
“This feels like entertainment — I need to fix the reactivity”
We know reactivity is stressful for both of you.
Enriching activities like sniffing, problem-solving, and exploring will calm your dog's nervous system.
That means softer reactions, and a dog who’s able to learn.
Sometimes enrichment alone makes a big difference. It always supports training beautifully.
Julia Hawkins, MSC, AdvDip (AAB Canine)
Julia swapped classrooms full of teenagers for ones full of dogs — and honestly, the dogs listen better.
A qualified teacher with 15 years’ experience and an Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour, she helps families (especially those with rescue dogs) untangle behaviour challenges using clarity, kindness, and play.
When she’s not coaching humans and dogs, Julia can be found obsessing over sumo wrestling and crocheting increasingly weird (and wonderful) creations.
Barbara Paterson, PhD, KPA-CTP
Barbara went from studying animals in the wild to helping reactive dogs — after navigating reactivity with her own agility dog.
Trained extensively with Susan Garrett and now a DogsThat coach, she blends science, sport, and compassion to help high-energy, sensitive dogs and their humans build calmer lives together.
Away from the training field, she loves getting lost in epic fantasy novels, Buddhist practice, and hosting game nights with friends.
