- laura@lauracartercanines.co.uk
- 07548 880298
Let's talk dog and eat cake
Relaxed evenings for people who could happily talk about dogs all night
Fancy getting out for an evening, drinking coffee, eating cake and talking dogs with people who are just as interested in them as you are?
Let’s Talk Dog & Eat Cake is a series of relaxed, friendly evenings in the cosy training bothy at Damside House.
There are no dogs to manage, no practical exercises to master and definitely no test at the end. Instead, you can settle in with a coffee, enjoy some cake and spend the evening learning, asking questions, swapping stories and chatting with other dog people.
With a maximum of just six people, these are deliberately small and informal. Come on your own or bring a friend. You don’t need to know anyone and you don’t need to already train with me.
Just choose a subject that interests you and come along.
On cooler evenings we’ll light the log burner too – because dog chat is even better somewhere warm and cosy.
Tuesday evenings • 6.30pm
Damside House, near Johnshaven
Just 6 places per session
Complimentary coffee & cake
Humans only – leave your dog relaxing at home
1st Tuesday of the Month
Behind the Nose – The Scentwork Sessions
For anyone who has ever watched their dog sniffing and wondered what on earth is going on inside that nose.
If you already do scentwork, you’ll know how addictive it can become. Suddenly you find yourself wondering about airflow, scent movement, indications and why your dog sailed past something you were absolutely certain they should have found!
Scentwork uncovered is our monthly evening for getting properly nerdy about scentwork – but in a friendly, accessible way.
Each month we’ll pick a different subject and explore it together. We might look at how scent moves, what your dog is telling you while they search, indications, handling, problem solving, search environments or how to tackle more challenging searches.
Bring your questions. Bring the problems you’ve encountered in training. Bring the things you’ve always wondered about.
You don’t need to be an experienced scentwork handler either. If you’ve only just started, are thinking about trying scentwork or are simply fascinated by what dogs can do with their noses, you’ll fit right in.
Coffee, cake and an evening talking scentwork with other people who won’t think you’re odd for being fascinated by how a dog sniffs a wall.
2nd Tuesday of the Month
Let’s Talk Dog – Reactive & Nervous Dogs
An evening where you don’t have to explain your dog.
If you live with a nervous or reactive dog, sometimes the nicest thing is simply being around people who get it.
People who understand why you cross the road when you see another dog coming.
Why an unexpected visitor can throw the whole evening into chaos.
Why “just let them say hello” isn’t particularly helpful advice.
And why sometimes a quiet walk where absolutely nothing happens feels like a massive success.
These monthly evenings are a chance to talk openly about real life with reactive and nervous dogs.
Each month we’ll choose a different topic and explore practical ways to understand and support our dogs.
Ask questions. Share something that’s worked for you. Listen to other people’s experiences. Or simply sit with your coffee and take it all in.
Most importantly, spend an evening with other people who understand that loving your dog and sometimes finding life with them difficult can both be true.
Your dog stays safely and happily at home while you get the support.
3rd Tuesday of the Month
Dog Book Club
A book club where getting sidetracked talking about your dog is actively encouraged.
Each month we’ll choose a dog-related book to read and then get together over coffee and cake to pull it apart – in the nicest possible way.
What did you love?
What made you think?
What did you completely disagree with?
Did you discover something you’re going to try with your own dog?
Or did you read a chapter and think, “That’s all very well, but clearly the author has never met MY dog”?
There are no right answers and this definitely isn’t an English lesson.
You don’t need specialist knowledge and you don’t need to come prepared with clever observations. Read the book, turn up and join the conversation.
If you love books and dogs, you’ve basically found an excellent excuse for an evening out.
4th Tuesday of the Month
Puppies, Adolescence & Beyond
For all those everyday dog questions that don’t fit neatly into a training class.
Thinking about getting a dog and wondering what you’re actually letting yourself in for? Perhaps you’ve got a new puppy, you’re navigating the teenage months, or you’ve had your dog for years but there’s something you’d love to understand or work on.
Puppies, Adolescence & Beyond is about real life with dogs – at every stage.
Each month we’ll choose a different topic and spend the evening exploring it together. We might talk about choosing the right dog, puppy biting and socialisation, surviving adolescence, recall, jumping up, self-control, confidence, coping with fireworks, settling at home, walks, excitement or simply making everyday life with your dog easier and more enjoyable.
Some months will be particularly useful for puppy owners. Others will be just as relevant if your dog is 2, 7 or 12.
And if you’re still at the “Should we actually get a dog?” stage, you’re very welcome too. Come and ask questions about breeds, puppies, rescue dogs, expectations and what living with a dog is really like before you make that decision.
This isn’t about creating the world’s most perfectly obedient dog.
It’s about understanding the individual you share your life with, finding practical solutions to everyday challenges and deciding what actually matters to you and your dog.
Bring your questions, share your experiences or simply come along and listen.
And perhaps discover that everyone else’s dog does slightly ridiculous things sometimes too.
Why aren’t dogs invited?
Quite simply, this bit is for you.
Dog training usually involves trying to listen while simultaneously watching your dog, holding a lead, handing out treats, preventing them eating something inappropriate and wondering whether they’re about to bark.
Not here.
Leave your dog at home, sit down and drink your coffee while it’s still hot.
You can concentrate, ask as many questions as you like and join in the conversation without worrying about what your dog is doing.
For people with nervous or reactive dogs, it also means you can access support and meet other owners without asking your dog to cope with an environment they may find difficult.
Then you take the useful bits home to them.
Come for the dog talk. Stay for the cake.
There is another reason for these evenings.
It’s nice to spend time with people who like the same things you do.
Dog ownership can sometimes be surprisingly isolating. And even when it isn’t, not everyone in your life necessarily wants to discuss dog behaviour, puppy biting or scentwork over coffee.
We do.
With only six people around the table, these aren’t big anonymous events. They’re small enough to chat, get to know people, ask questions and hopefully have a laugh too.
You can come on your own – you won’t be the only one.
You can bring a friend.
You can attend every month or just pick the subjects that grab you.
Hopefully you’ll leave having learned something useful, met some lovely dog people and enjoyed a good piece of cake.
The Important Bits
When: Tuesday evenings at 6.30pm
Where: The cosy training bothy at Damside House, near Johnshaven. DD10 0HY
Group size: Maximum 6 people
Refreshments: Complimentary coffee and cake
Booking: Tickets are per person
Dogs: This one’s just for the humans
September’s sessions
8th September | Scent work Uncovered | What is scent?
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15th September | Reactive and Nervous Dogs | Reactive, Nervous… or Just Misunderstood
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29th September | Puppy, Adolescent and Beyond | Jumping up
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Starting October ’26 | Book Club |
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Book your place below
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I bring my dog?
No. Let’s Talk Dog & Eat Cake is just for the humans. Leaving the dogs at home means everyone can relax, chat, ask questions and concentrate without having to keep one eye on a lead. It’s particularly helpful for owners whose dogs wouldn’t enjoy a group environment.
Do I need to already train with Laura Carter Canines?
Not at all. Everyone is welcome, whether you already come to classes or sessions with me, train elsewhere or have never done any formal dog training.
Can I come on my own?
Absolutely – and you won’t be the only one. These are deliberately small, friendly sessions and part of the idea is to meet other like-minded dog people. Come in, grab a coffee and cake and join the conversation.
Is this a course? Do I need to attend every week?
No. Each evening is completely standalone. Simply look at the upcoming topics and book whichever ones interest you. Come once, come occasionally or become a regular.
How many people will be there?
There are a maximum of six places per session. Keeping the groups small means there’s plenty of opportunity to chat, ask questions and share experiences.
Are coffee and cake really included?
Of course – it wouldn’t be Let’s Talk Dog & Eat Cake otherwise! Complimentary coffee and cake are included with your ticket.
Where are the sessions held?
In the cosy training bothy at Damside House, near Johnshaven. On cooler evenings we’ll get the log burner going too.
Who are the sessions suitable for?
Anyone interested in dogs! You don’t need to be an experienced owner or know lots about dog training. Different evenings cover different subjects, including scentwork, reactive and nervous dogs, books, puppies, adolescence and everyday dog behaviour.
I’m thinking about getting a dog. Can I come?
Definitely. You don’t need to already own a dog. Some of the Puppies, Adolescence & Beyond evenings will be particularly useful if you’re considering getting a puppy or rescue dog and want to learn more before making that decision.
My dog is reactive or nervous. Can I still come?
Yes – that’s one of the reasons the dogs stay at home. You can come along, talk about what’s happening with your dog and meet other people who understand without asking your dog to cope with a group environment.
Can I ask questions about my own dog?
Yes. These are interactive evenings rather than formal lectures, so questions and discussion are very much encouraged. While we won’t be able to provide a full individual behaviour consultation during a group session, you’re welcome to share experiences and ask questions relevant to the evening’s topic.
Is Scentwork Uncovered only for people already doing scentwork?
No. Some people will already train or compete in scentwork, while others may be completely new to it. If you’re fascinated by what dogs can do with their noses and fancy learning more, you’re welcome.
Do I need to read the book to attend Book Club?
Ideally, yes – you’ll get much more from the discussion if you’ve read the month’s book. But you don’t need to analyse it or prepare anything. This is a relaxed dog book club, not an English exam!
Can two of us come on one ticket?
Tickets are per person, so each person attending will need their own place. With only six seats available, booking in advance is recommended.
What should I bring?
Just yourself! You might like to bring a notebook if you’re someone who enjoys jotting things down, but there’s no need to bring anything special.
What if I don’t know anyone?
That’s absolutely fine. Come on your own, grab a seat and join us. The whole idea is to create a friendly place where dog people can meet, learn, chat and discover that other people’s dogs do ridiculous things too.
And yes, there’ll be cake.
Laura specialises in customising activities for dogs with restricted exercise and supporting owners through this challenge. Her mission is to ensure these dogs remain calm and content despite limited daily exercise, fostering enduring bonds between them and their owners through compassionate training methods.