What if daily dog walks aren’t helping your reactive dog—but actually making things worse?

In this real, raw episode of Straight Up Dog Talk, Em shares how she learned the hard way that pushing daily walks was overstimulating—not calming—her reactive dog, Fitz. What followed was a complete reframe of exercise, training, and enrichment… and the discovery of a slower, safer way to meet his needs.

In this episode:

• Understand how walk-induced overstimulation can sabotage your dog’s progress

• Learn to recognize when your dog’s not ready—and why rest can be productive

• Discover walk-free enrichment routines that actually support regulation and connection

Press play to release the pressure, reimagine what training and enrichment can look like—and give both you and your dog permission to go at a pace that truly works.

Straight Up Dog Talk Extras:

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Email ⁠[email protected]⁠ to get in touch with Em

This podcast explores life with dogs and life with pets, focusing on the dog–human bond and what it truly takes to bond with your dog through dog enrichment, behavior guidance, dog reactivity support, reactivity awareness, reactive dogs, reactive dog training, calming reactive dogs, dog training, dog training tips, training rescue dogs, pet training, dog obedience, dog behavior, dog behaviour, dog socialization, dog barking, dog habits, dog health, dog life, dog myths, and positive reinforcement for all dogs — rescue dogs, velcro dogs, anxious dogs, reactive dogs, high-energy dogs, big-feeling dogs, and family pets. Hosted by a canine nutritionist, nutrition coach, dog coach, dog coaching specialist, and retired vet tech, each episode covers dog food, canine enrichment, dog training, dog nutrition, canine nutrition, dog gut health, dog grief, dog products, and science-backed routines that help dogs feel safer, healthier, calmer, and more understood. You’ll discover practical steps, enrichment ideas, behavior strategies, and daily habits to support any dog and create a more confident, connected life with dogs.