4 Sneaky Dog Training Mistakes Sabotaging Your Progress
You’ve tried. You’ve invested the time, the treats, the classes, the love (and let’s be real… the money). But progress is frustrating.Don’t worry! You’re not ‘bad at training.’ Your dog isn’t ‘stubborn’ either.My guess is that you may be making a few quiet, almost invisible mistakes, that are undoing your effort - without you even realising it. I’m diving into 4 of the most common ones in today’s brand new episode of The Stress Free Dog Walks Show.They’re *so* common, I’d bet almost every dog owner is making at least one of them.You’ll discover:The hidden traps that make training feel like one step forward, two steps backWhy progress can vanish the moment you go somewhere different The little everyday actions that may be confusing your dog more than helping themHit play on this one before your very next training session!📈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 could be your first step toward calmer, stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.scoreapp.com/ 🐕 Calm Canine BlueprintLeave a rating/review, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/review to upload your screenshot. Then I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free as a gift. 🍿 Watch the YouTube Showhttps://www.youtube.com/@StressFreeDogWalks 💬 Connect with me and join the conversation!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogwoodadventureplay Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DogwoodAdventurePlay
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Better ‘Socialisation’ Strategies for Reactive, Anxious & Over-Excited Dogs
I’m busting one of the biggest myths in the dog world: that reactive dogs just need ‘more socialising’! If your dog barks, lunges, pulls, or gets overexcited around other dogs and people, that advice could make things worse.In this episode:• What a dog’s natural social life looks like (and how different it is from the park)• 3 proven alternatives: real-world strategies I use with clients• How to set up safe, calm, confidence-building dog interactions• The signs your dog is actually benefiting from social timeYou’ll know how to swap risky “socialising” for calm, controlled experiences that genuinely improve your dog’s social skills. Forget the outdated advice: THIS is how you’ll enjoy stress free walks."When you work WITH your dog’s natural instincts rather than against them, you’ll create a happy, well balanced, and yes, well behaved 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 could be your first step toward calmer, stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.scoreapp.com/ 🐕 Calm Canine BlueprintLeave a rating/review, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/review to upload your screenshot. Then I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free as a gift. 🍿 Watch the YouTube Showhttps://www.youtube.com/@StressFreeDogWalks 💬 Connect with me and join the conversation!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogwoodadventureplay Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DogwoodAdventurePlay
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Decompression Walks Explained: A Must for Every Reactive Dog
⭐️ Register for the FREE Online Stress Free Dog Walks Training! https://stressfreewalks.dog/free-class ⭐️You’ll learn my simple 3-part anti-pulling, lunging and reactivity method to handle distractions (like dogs, people, wildlife) without panic, so that you can LOVE walking your dog again! Get your free ticket here: https://stressfreewalks.dog/free-class 🎙️ In this episode: Decompression Walks Explained: A Must for Every Reactive DogDiscover the powerful walking strategy every reactive, anxious, or excitable dog needs in their routine: the Decompression Walk - aka the ‘Ugly Walk’!You’ll learn:• What a Decompression Walk actually is (and what it’s not)• How to choose the right location - even if you don’t drive or live in a busy area• Why your dog won’t relax the first time and clear signs they’re starting to decompress• How these walks support recovery for BOTH of you!If your dog reacts to other dogs, pulls with excitement, or scans the street in full alert mode, this episode was made for you!"If your dog is always 'on,' so are you - and that’s exhausting for both of you." 💬📈 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 could be your first step toward calmer, stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.scoreapp.com/ 🐕 Calm Canine BlueprintLeave a rating/review, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/review to upload your screenshot. Then I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free as a gift. 🍿 Watch the YouTube Showhttps://www.youtube.com/@StressFreeDogWalks 💬 Connect with me and join the conversation!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogwoodadventureplay Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DogwoodAdventurePlay
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Why 'They’ll Get Used to It' Doesn’t Work for Reactive Dogs
⭐️ Register for the FREE Online Stress Free Dog Walks Training! https://stressfreewalks.dog/free-class ⭐️You’ll learn my simple 3-part anti-pulling, lunging and reactivity method to handle distractions (like dogs, people, wildlife) without panic, so that you can LOVE walking your dog again! Get your free ticket here: https://stressfreewalks.dog/free-class 🎙️ In this episode: Why 'They’ll Get Used to It' Doesn’t Work for Reactive DogsHave you been told your reactive or anxious dog “just needs to get used to it”? That if you expose them to enough dogs, people or traffic, they’ll stop barking, lunging, pulling, spinning?How’s it working out so far? 🫠Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but exposure on its own can make your dog worse.In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why your dog’s behaviour isn’t improving - even with frequent exposure to their triggers - and what to do instead.You’ll learn:• The myth of ‘desensitisation’: why it’s not actually doing what you think • What exposure without new learning actually teaches your dog (spoiler: it’s not what you want!)• Two science-backed alternatives to exposure that actually workWhether you're dealing with lead reactivity, dog-to-dog frustration, barking at strangers, a dog who scans the streets for danger - or an excitable whirlwind who pulls to say hi, jumps up at everyone, and can’t settle - this episode is a must-watch for stress free dog walks!📈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 could be your first step toward calmer, stress-free walks with a well-behaved dog you’re proud of.https://stressfreedogwalks.scoreapp.com/ 🐕 Calm Canine BlueprintLeave a rating/review, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/review to upload your screenshot. Then I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free as a gift. 🍿 Watch the YouTube Showhttps://www.youtube.com/@StressFreeDogWalks 💬 Connect with me and join the conversation!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogwoodadventureplay Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DogwoodAdventurePlay
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The ‘Fix-It Mode’ Trap: Why Trying Too Hard Can Set You Back
⭐️ Register for the FREE Online Stress Free Dog Walks Training! https://stressfreewalks.dog/free-class ⭐️You’ll learn my simple 3-part anti-pulling, lunging and reactivity method to handle distractions (like dogs, people, wildlife) without panic, so that you can LOVE walking your dog again! Get your free ticket here: https://stressfreewalks.dog/free-class 🎙️ In this episode: The ‘Fix-It Mode’ Trap: Why Trying Too Hard Can Set You BackLightening up could be the BEST thing you do for your reactive dog. Hear me out… 🤷🏼♀️If your walks feel like work, your training’s hit a wall, or you're in ‘fix-it’ mode 24/7, this one's for you. I’m breaking down the surprising power of fun, lightness and everyday adventure in dog training - and how taking a break from intensive results-focused pressure will help you achieve stress free walks FASTER. You’ll discover:🚩The 4 red flags that signal you’re overtraining🚩How FUN and relationship-building can fast-track long-term results🚩What we can learn from the Scentventure Gym approach🚩Light-hearted missions that rewire your dog’s brain - and your relationship!Whether you're dealing with reactivity, distraction, barking, or lead pulling, this episode will show you why your progress might be plateauing. 🐕 Calm Canine BlueprintLeave a rating/review, and head over to https://stressfreedogwalks.com/review to upload your screenshot. Then I’ll send you my Calm Canine Blueprint completely free as a gift. 🍿 Watch the YouTube Showhttps://www.youtube.com/@StressFreeDogWalks 💬 Connect with me and join the conversation!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dogwoodadventureplay Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DogwoodAdventurePlay
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
UK