With Barbara Paterson, PhD, CTP-KPA & Julia Hawkins, MSc, AdvDip (AAB Canine)
Enrichment Adventures at Home
Give Your Reactive Dog a Great Life - Even Without the Walk
You know this impossible choice far too 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.
It shows 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 easy, 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)
Barbara Paterson, PhD
From mastering numbers to mastering positive dog training, Julia Hawkins has transitioned from being a math teacher to a guiding light for dog owners. With her unique blend of skills as a trained educator for both humans and canines, Julia specialises in assisting families, particularly those with rescue dogs and children, navigate their dog training challenges. Julia’s approach is all about support that is both educational and fun. Her primary goal is to foster happy, stress-free relationships between you and your dog, using the power of play. Julia believes that when the dynamics of play are perfectly balanced, not only will you and your dog feel great, but behaviour challenges will be easier to overcome. Join Julia in this journey of joyful learning and discover the transformative power of positive reinforcement and play. Julia has an Advanced Diploma in Animal Behaviour (Canine), she is a full member of the International Society of Animal Professionals and is an approved trainer by the Dog Training Council. She is also an approved Family Dog Trainer as well as being a qualified teacher with 15 years experience.
Dr. Barbara's journey from conservation scientist to professional dog trainer took her from one form of care for animals to another. Barbara is dedicated to helping dog owners forge a profound connection with their high energy and reactive companions, guiding them towards a harmonious, fun-filled life together. About a decade ago, she was desperately seeking help for her reactive agility dog. That's when she found Susan Garrett, who quickly became her mentor for all things dog-related. Barbara was so determined to learn from the best that she dragged her husband and dogs across the Atlantic to live in Canada, where she had the chance to train with Susan in person and rub shoulders with world-class dog handlers. Fast forward to today, and as well as being a DogsThat Coach in Susan's online programs, she loves inspiring her students to bring out the absolute best in their dogs. As a Buddhist practitioner (SGI), Barbara infuses her training with principles of joy and compassion. Barbara believes that it is essential to carefully listen to what dogs are communicating to understand their needs. Barbara firmly believes that this kind of thoughtful dialogue makes training effective and equally fun for dogs and their human counterparts.
