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Stress Free Dog Walks

Stress Free Dog Walks

Training advice for the owners of pulling, lunging dogs!

Katie Guastapaglia

53 episodesEN

Show overview

Stress Free Dog Walks launched in 2025 and has put out 53 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode in the time since. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.

Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 11 min and 13 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Kids & Family show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 5 days ago, with 9 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 44 episodes published. Published by Katie Guastapaglia.

Episodes
53
Running
2025–2026 · 1y
Median length
12 min
Cadence
Fortnightly

From the publisher

Join me, Katie G, for the Stress Free Dog Walks show every week on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts from! You’ll get real-world practical advice that you can apply immediately to your own dog, out there on your very next walk, so they ignore distractions and listen to you, walk nicely, and come back when called - even when there’s something more exciting going on! Even more importantly, I’m showing you why dog training alone will NOT solve your problems. We’re diving deep into everything they DON’T tell you in face-to-face training: the psychology of turning your pulling, barking, lunging dog into a stress free walking companion! There are SO MANY training classes, 1-1 programmes, books, reels, blogs... but so few dog owners ACTUALLY enjoying relaxing walks. I untangle the common misconception that dog training is all it takes to fix the pulling, barking and lunging... and what you need instead! It’s free to listen and subscribe, and some episodes I’ll be joined by a stress free dog owner spilling their secrets to success - so you can steal their strategy for your own dog! Plus look out for longer behind-the-scenes juicy bonus episodes with my team of dog trainers and behaviourists! Find Stress Free Walks on all your major podcast players. Prefer to watch the show instead? YouTube. Or grab a cuppa and read the full written article. Did I mention? It’s free! Tune in while you’re commuting in the car, jogging at the gym, and of course, walking your dog! 🎙️ Connect with me and join the conversation: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StressFreeDogWalks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogwoodadventureplay Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DogwoodAdventurePlay Learning Centre: https://www.stressfreedogwalks.com

Latest Episodes

View all 53 episodes

Stop Making These 2 Mistakes if Your Dog Pulls, Barks or Lunges

May 9, 202611 min

The Different Types of Scentwork that Calm Pulling, Barking Dogs

Apr 18, 202612 min

Ep 51Dog Training Isn’t Hard, It's Misunderstood

Dog training is simple when you understand the 3 steps. Most dog owners start here: loose lead walking / recall / anti-reactivity / anti-predation techniques. But that’s step three.In this episode, we break down the 2 steps that need to come before that - and why skipping them is ruining your progress.When you fix the order, the techniques slide into place easily. 📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. Then I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint, completely free.

Mar 28, 202612 min

Ep 50What Street Dogs Know About Happiness That Pet Dogs Don’t

What can Street Dogs teach us about making our own dogs happier? Probably more than you’d expect.Most people feel sorry for street dogs. In many ways that instinct is right. They face injury, disease, hunger and danger that our pet dogs are protected from.But there are also parts of street dog life that are surprisingly better than the life pet dogs live.In this episode, Katie shares what she observed while spending time around a large population of free-living dogs, and the lessons they reveal about our own dogs.You’ll discover:Why street dogs experience far less frustration than most pet dogsThe fascinating way they structure their day through choice and autonomyThe powerful bond street dogs still seek with humans, even without an ownerWhat these dogs reveal about the balance our own dogs actually need to thriveIf you want a calmer, happier dog, the answer isn’t just better training techniques. Street dogs reveal the needs we cannot afford to ignore.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Mar 14, 202614 min

Ep 49Progress, Setbacks, and the Psychology of Sticking With It

Ever start a dog training plan full of hope… then quietly abandon it a few weeks later?Totally normal. And it has nothing to do with your dog.In this episode, I break down the invisible mindset loop that wrecks more dog training plans than bad techniques ever could.I call it The Bail-Before-You-Fail Loop. It explains:⚡ Why motivated, caring dog owners struggle to follow through⚡ How your brain hunts for “proof” your training isn’t working⚡ Why quitting feels so good - but is only temporary relief⚡ What actually creates real, lasting progress once motivation fadesThis episode is for you if one bad walk knocks the wind out of you, a single reaction makes you question everything, or you keep thinking, “We’ve still got a long way to go.”Hit play and change how you approach dog training for good.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today.https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Jan 31, 202610 min

Ep 48Why Dog Training Works for Some Owners (And Not Others)

Same dog. Same training. Different outcomes. Why do some dog owners fix pulling, barking and lunging fast, while others stay stuck for years?The difference is not the lead, the treats, or the dog’s behaviour. It's the human operating system under pressure.In this episode, I break down the exact mindset pattern that keeps some dog owners stuck in reactive dog training loops, versus the pattern that creates progress fast.If your dog pulls, barks, lunges, fixates, ignores recall, or loses their head around distractions, this will reset how you approach training.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today.https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Jan 24, 202610 min

Ep 47Stop Training Loose Lead Walking & Recall Until You Hear This

Crazy idea, but what if you *didn’t* need to drill loose lead walking or recall?Sounds mad, but it’s exactly what happened for Em and her high-energy spaniel Sweep.She didn’t train loose lead walking.She didn’t drill recall over and over.She didn’t follow 8-week programmes for either.And yet:Loose lead walking improved ‘naturally’.Sweep recalled from deerHe started checking in and staying close without being asked.The training industry will have you believe you need an 8 week loose lead walking programme, THEN a 6 week recall class - when all you actually need is a calm brain and strong relationship.When the brain calms, the behaviour follows. Without tedious heelwork or endless recall reps.Press play to hear the full breakdown of how Em and Sweep did it.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Jan 16, 202611 min

Ep 46When Dog Walks Cause Shame & Embarrassment

Here’s a scene you might recognise: Your dog fixates, weight shifts forward. You try your training cue, do what you’ve practiced. He explodes anyway. A bark that turns heads, a lunge that yanks your arm. The jogger makes a face. Someone mutters “train your dog” 🙄That’s when the shame rush hits. Heat in your cheeks, lead in your stomach. Your body wants to fold in on itself, to disappear.Your brain starts the story:“They think I’m incompetent.”“Everyone is judging us.”“My dog is beyond fixing.”Slowly, without intending to, you build a life around minimising shame instead of building confidence. Walks get shorter, less enjoyable for both of you, and you start to feel guilty that your dog is unfulfilled.Shame does not STAY on the dog walk. It’s what makes you hesitate to try new things. It’s why you replay conversations, worrying you said too much or not enough. It’s why you apologise when you haven’t done anything wrong 😢Hit play to understand what shame is doing to your confidence, and how to stop it running your walks, your freedom, and your relationship with your dog.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Jan 10, 202612 min

Ep 45One Toolkit That Solves Multiple Dog Training Problems

If you’re searching “how to stop jumping up,” “why my dog barks at everything,” or “how to stop pulling”… you’re playing behaviour whack-a-mole.Fix one thing this week…A new problem pops up next week…Tackle that one… another appears…Whack whack whack you go 🔨🔨🔨Jumping, barking, pulling, reacting, ignoring you, etc etc etc. These aren’t 10 different problems. They’re 10 symptoms of the same thing 📣Therefore you don’t need 10 training plans. You just need ONE toolkit that works everywhere.🧰 One toolkit that helps your dog stay calm when the world gets exciting.🧰 One toolkit that supports recovery so they can think again faster.🧰 One toolkit you can use for jumping, barking, pulling, chasing, ignoring… all of it.You’ll learn the smarter way to train - using one versatile toolkit that solves many behaviour problems at once.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think!Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today.https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Jan 3, 20268 min

Ep 44Reactivity Is Not a Behaviour Problem (Why Training Isn’t Working)

If you’re trying to fix the barking, pulling and lunging whilst the barking, pulling and lunging is happening - you’re already too late.By the time your dog *does* the behaviour, their body has already fired off an entire chain reaction that you did not see.📈 Heart rate up.🫁 Breathing quickened.💪 Muscles primed.⚡ Stress chemicals dumped into the system.🧠 Thinking brain already offline.So if you’re trying to stop the behaviour, you’re only reacting to your dog’s reaction (which means you are just as reactive as they are).Reactivity isn’t a behaviour problem. It’s a brain and body problem 📣📣📣One more time: Reactivity isn’t a behaviour problem. It’s a brain and body problem.What you see on the OUTSIDE (the barking, the spinning, the pulling) is just the END result of everything that happened seconds earlier on the INSIDE.This is why cueing, commending or correcting will only ever be a sticking plaster, and you’ll plateau at your current level, no matter what you try.Stop addressing the end of the chain, and start at the beginning. Press play before you waste another walk trying to fix the symptom instead of the cause.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Dec 27, 20259 min

Ep 43How to Pass Other Dogs on Walks if Yours is Anxious, Excitable or Reactive

You know ‘The Showdown’ 🤠 The quiet walk, the long straight path, no exit route. Cue: dramatic music as a dog appears on the horizon.What do you actually do when another dog is heading straight for you on a walk? Shorten the lead? Turn around? Hold your breath and hope for the best?I explain why so many pass-bys go badly - and what to do instead.🤠The common mistakes made in those few seconds and the red flag that you’re dangerously close to a meltdown (and injury)🤠Why ‘hoping for the best’ is the fastest way to set your dog up to fail🤠And the simple adjustments (even before you’ve done any training) that stop the whole thing escalating.If passing other dogs makes your stomach knot up and the townsfolk run for cover, you need this episode in your ears. Press play and learn how to walk past other dogs without the drama.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think!Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today.https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Dec 20, 20257 min

Ep 42EXACTLY How to Reply to Unwelcome Opinions About Your Dog

Christmas is full of joy - and opinions. Ever been hit with unsolicited advice about your dog’s behaviour at family gatherings? 🙄💬 “Oh she’s *still* barking?”💬 “We never use treats - you’re spoiling him.”💬 “Our dog doesn’t need a lead.”You can enjoy the festivities without feeling judged or defensive - AND feel good about how you handled it (instead of silently resentful and thinking up ‘witty’ comebacks at 3am).When eeeeeveryone thinks they know what’s best for your dog, here’s how to handle these snarky comments with confidence, while advocating for your dog (and your sanity)📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Dec 6, 202511 min

Ep 41The Scary Truth About Over-Exercising Your Teenage Dog

Your puppy’s grown into a teenager and they’re pulling, barking, ignoring recall, pestering the kids, and bouncing off the walls. Most owners try to burn it off with more exercise. The problem with that? It can actually make things worse.In this episode, we’re talking:⚡ Why high-energy games like ball chasing activate the same stress pathways as fear⚡ How too much activity can make your dog more reactive and less focused⚡ The science behind scentwork and how it builds focus, balance, and calm⚡ How to swap the ‘tire them out’ mindset for a lifestyle that meets natural instincts and restores balance!If your adolescent dog seems constantly wired, this episode will replace frustration with understanding, and bring calm back to your life.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Nov 29, 202510 min

Ep 40The Training Adjustments Every Teenage Dog Needs

Your puppy’s turned into a teenager?! Here’s what’s REALLY going on - and how to survive it!Welcome to adolescence! Aka The Terrible Teens. A stage where stress stacks up fast, and bad habits picked up now can last for years.In this episode, we’ll dive into:⚡What’s happening in your dog’s brain and why it’s driving all that barking, lunging, and ignoring you⚡The kinds of enrichment that drain stress instead of adding more - including your dog’s powerful built-in stress relief system⚡How to tweak your training so it still works even when your dog’s brain is under constructionIf you’re living with a teenage dog right now, this episode will give you back your sanity! 📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Nov 22, 202511 min

Ep 39How to Survive Your Dog’s Teenage Phase (Without Losing Your Mind)

So you survived the puppy stage: the sleepless nights, the toilet training, the chewed furniture. You thought you were in the clear… until adolescence hits!Suddenly your once-angelic pup forgets every bit of training you’ve ever done. Recall? Gone. Loose lead walking? What’s that? In this episode, you’ll discover:⚡️ The real science behind canine adolescence and why your dog suddenly seems to have lost the plot⚡️ The secret reason your teenage dog challenges you more than anyone else (hint: it’s actually a compliment)⚡️ How to tell the difference between stubbornness and stress - and why that matters for your sanity⚡️ Why curiosity and fear can exist in the same brain at the same time, creating what looks like ‘unpredictability’When you understand what’s normal and what needs attention right now, you’ll stop bad teenage habits from becoming lifelong behavioural problems!📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Nov 15, 202513 min

Ep 38What to Do When an Off-Lead Dog Comes Charging at You

It’s every dog owner’s nightmare. You’re enjoying a peaceful walk when suddenly an off-lead dog comes sprinting right at you. No owner in sight. You’ve got SECONDS to react.In this episode, we unpack how to handle one of the scariest real-life situations for any dog guardian:⭐Why your reaction in those few seconds matters SO much⭐Six real-world options for stopping an approaching dog - and how to know which to use⭐How to stay calm and protect your dog under pressure⭐The crucial post-incident step most owners forget (and why it’s key to rebuilding confidence)⭐What to do if the other owner eventually appears!Even if you never face this situation, knowing what to do will transform your confidence on walks - and your dog will feel that too.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Nov 8, 20259 min

Ep 37Act FAST If Your Dog Gets Spooked (Split Second Recovery Plan)

One roar. One bang. One crash. That’s all it takes for a dog to go from curious to cautious.What happens in that split second after a scare decides whether your dog bounces back or carries that fear forward.You’ll hear the story of Creedie, who froze in his tracks when a fighter jet roared overhead. Emily had seconds to act… and what she did next completely changed how he handled every jet that followed. Spoiler alert: he didn’t even bother looking up at the final one - he could not have cared less. I’m sharing the same 5-step plan Emily used to help your dog recover when life throws something loud, sudden, or scary your way. You’ll know exactly how to handle unpredictable shocks like fireworks, motorbikes, thunder, or fighter jets in a way that protects your dog’s confidence and builds lasting trust between you.Fear learning can happen in a heartbeat, but so can recovery when you know what to do.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Oct 18, 202511 min

Ep 36Prevent Dog Reactivity, Fear or Anxiety from a Bad First Experience

Your dog only gets one first time. If that first time goes badly, the consequences can last a lifetime.A single experience, whether it’s meeting another dog, a ferry trip, a car ride, or a vet visit, can cause lasting fear. Car sickness, vet meltdowns, pulling, barking, or full-on reactivity that doesn’t just affect your dog - but makes everyday life stressful and unpredictable for you too.This episode is about stopping that from happening. You’ll learn how to set your dog up for calm, confident firsts that prevent fear before it starts, using real-life lessons from Creedie’s very first ferry trip.Hit play to discover:The hidden science behind fear learning and why one bad experience can stickWhy Calm Firsts matter for dogs of any age, not just puppiesHow to spot the small stressors that quietly build into panicSix practical ways to prevent fear-based behaviour problems before they ever beginBad firsts don’t just create one bad day. They narrow your dog’s world - and yours! But it doesn’t have to be that way. Learn how you can give your dog calm, positive firsts that build a lifetime of trust, freedom and adventure together.📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Oct 11, 202516 min

Ep 35From 17 Triggers to Calm Walks: How They Stopped Charlie’s Pulling

Imagine spending 4 years trying every trainer, trick, and piece of advice you can find - only to still be dragged across the road by your 27-kilo spaniel. That was Derek and Margaret’s reality with their dog Charlie.Charlie had 17 different triggers - pulling, lunging, frantic sniffing, barking at dogs, chasing cats, exploding at the doorbell, the list went on. Walks were stressful, overwhelming, and sometimes dangerous.Fast forward to today: Charlie walks calmly on a loose lead. In this episode I’m sharing how they did it:✅ Why ‘control’ was actually making Charlie worse - and what worked instead✅ How Calm First transformed Charlie’s behaviour (without tackling each trigger one by one)✅The 5 steps that gave Derek and Margaret their dream walks… loose leash walking training was only step 3!✅ The surprising side-effects of the Calm First approach - including a relaxed fireworks season!Hit play to hear how Derek and Margaret turned years of struggle into calm, loose leash walks - so you can apply it to your own dog!⭐️And if you REALLY want to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD, we’re about to open the doors to our once-a-year Loose Lead Walking Recipe programme! ‘The Recipe’ is the complete system that walks you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks… and that’s with all the 1-1s, live training, community, tools, systems and Behaviourist support to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you might be starting from today.Join the Priority List to be invited to join BEFORE everyone else - and secure an unmissable early access bonus! https://stressfreewalks.dog/priority-list ⭐️📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Oct 4, 202511 min

Ep 34The ‘Stop-Start’ Loose Leash Method Can Make Pulling Worse

Stopping every time your dog pulls? That’s the most common loose lead walking advice - and one of the biggest reasons owners never fix their dog’s pulling. This stop/start method is supposed to teach dogs that when the lead is loose they can go, but in reality, it often makes things worse. Frustrated dogs. Frustrated owners. A pulling problem that feels tedious, miserable, endless.In this episode, I’ll break down why the textbook logic doesn’t work in the real world - and what to do instead, so you and your dog can finally enjoy calm, stress free walks on a lovely loose lead!Plus I’m sharing the real-life case study of my foster dog, who went from a pulling, barking mess to loose-lead mooching within just three walks.The real prize isn’t a dog who tries to walk nicely because you’ve drilled it in. It’s a dog who can’t help but walk calmly - because calm has become their natural state. Nice!📈 Dog Walking Diagnostic - Discover Your Dog’s Walking Style! Do you know the REAL reason your dog pulls, barks, lunges or ignores you? It’s often not what you think! Discover why your dog struggles on walks - and more importantly, what you can do about it. The Dog Walking Diagnostic Quiz is completely free, takes just 5 mins, and is your first step toward stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.com/diagnostic 📘 Calm Canine BlueprintSubscribe to the show, comment Calm Canine, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/blueprint/. I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free.🐕 The Loose Lead Walking RecipeReady to stop the pulling, zig-zagging and lunging FOR GOOD? ‘The Recipe’ is the complete retraining system that takes you step-by-step to loose lead, stress free walks. With personalised Trainer & Behaviourist advice to make sure you get this thing DONE - regardless of where you’re starting from today. https://stressfreewalks.dog/recipe

Sep 27, 202510 min
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