18/10/2026
Your dog doesn’t need a 5km walk and an hour of training every day to have their needs met 👏
Coming from a dog trainer who’s spent this year juggling running a business, battling illness AND raising two Rottweilers… I GET IT.
Here’s how I keep my boys happy and fulfilled without running myself into the ground 👇
🧘 STRUCTURED REST: Place bed, long-lasting chew and time learning to switch off while you relax. Doing nothing is a skill, and mindset training is tiring!
🎾 10 MINUTES OF PLAY: Tug, flirt pole or fetch with some obedience between throws. Whatever your dog LOVES!
🌳 LONG LINE ADVENTURES: Ditch the stressful short-lead walk around the block. Head to a park, let them sniff, explore and just be a dog.
🍗 3 MINUTES OF TRAINING: Hand-feed their dinner while practising obedience or teaching something new. Mental stimulation AND relationship building!
🦴 CHEW TIME: An appropriate non-weight-bearing raw meaty bone once a week (twice for puppies). Satisfies natural chewing needs and can keep them occupied for 30–60 minutes. Always supervise!
📦 LET THEM SHRED: A $5 Kmart toy or an empty Amazon box. If they love destroying things, give them an appropriate outlet! Just make sure they’re not eating the pieces.
❤️ AND MOST IMPORTANTLY…
Stop beating yourself up if your dog doesn’t get walked or trained every day.
I’ve learnt this the hard way. When you’re sick, exhausted or overwhelmed, forcing yourself to train when you’ve got no patience or energy can do more harm than good.
Small, intentional moments add up more than you realise.
And if you need two days of doing absolutely bu**er all so you can show up properly on day three? TAKE THEM.
Your dog needs you healthy and happy too 💜
You can meet your dog’s needs without sacrificing your own.
PS this is why teaching your dog how to be regulated is SO important. If your dog can only relax after a walk and goes crazy if they’re cooped up for 2 days… I highly recommend working on that before you get the flu! 🤧