What if the one thing you’re told every dog needs—daily walks—is actually keeping your dog stuck?

If your reactive, anxious, or overstimulated dog seems worse after walks—not better—you’re not failing them. You might just be following a model that doesn’t fit their nervous system. In this honest solo episode, Em shares why she stopped forcing daily walks with Fitz—and how that shift finally created the calm, connected progress she’d been chasing for years.

In this episode:

• Learn how to tell the difference between dysregulation and true high energy

• Discover practical, sustainable walk-free enrichment alternatives

• Understand how to regulate your dog’s nervous system—and your own—without guilt or pressure

Press play to release outdated rules and start building a calmer, more connected life with your dog—one that works for both of you, not just what social media says.

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

Get a free copy of Feeding without Fear for mealtime manners

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Book a FREE 15-minute call with Em

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Email [email protected] to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores real-life dog behavior and training through the lens of a canine nutritionist, dog coach, and retired vet tech—diving into reactivity, dog obedience, dog health, dog food, dog habits, dog lifestyle, canine enrichment, pet enrichment, dog myths, and what it actually takes to support reactive dogs safely and calmly. Whether you’re a dog mom navigating reactivity, building the human–dog bond, choosing dog products, or just trying to create a calmer dog life with your canine, you’ll find grounded strategies to build trust, improve dog behavior, and help your dog feel safe, understood, and supported.