Expert dog trainer warns why you should not walk your dog every day
manchestereveningnews.co.ukTaking your dog for a walk is part of most pet owners' daily routines, but one expert dog trainer has now urged people to stop walking their pooches so often.
Niki French, 53, is the bestselling author of STOP Walking Your Dog and says that walking your dog every day is an old habit and something she definitely doesn't agree with.
The dog trainer launched her first Don't Walk Your Dog Day on Saturday, April 2, to raise awareness that "not all dogs thrive on daily walks". "It might come as a surprise, but traditional walks are a human invention and aren't helpful for many of our dogs," Niki told The Mirror. "Replacing walk time with training games at home can give the dogs the skills they're missing to live calm and happy lives." READ MORE: Police issue urgent warning as children mimic dangerous Huggy Wuggy videos in playground "Contrary to popular belief, dogs with behaviour struggles can get more reactive or more excitable when we try to exhaust them through too much exercise," she added.
Niki has a two-year-old rescue dog named Bodie at home, who is "noticeably calmer" with fewer walks and more enrichment games. "A growing number of my clients have nervous or reactive dogs and I've shown them all the amazing activities you can do at home to help dogs grow the skills they’re lacking to be happy on walks," she explained. "Skipping some walks can help both dogs and owners alike destress.
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