A walk every day is an essential part of most dog owners’ routine. However, a professional dog trainer has controversially said she does not agree it needs to be a daily activity.
Niki French is now saying people should can their 30-minute walk in favour of another, more stimulating activity. The 53-year-old is the best-selling author of STOP Walking Your Dog.
She told The Mirror: “It might come as a surprise, but traditional walks are a human invention and aren’t helpful for many of our dogs. Replacing walk time with training games at home can give the dogs the skills they’re missing to live calm and happy lives.”
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Niki is launching her first Don’t Walk Your Dog Day on Saturday, April 2, to raise awareness that “not all dogs thrive on daily walks”. “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 said.
Niki has a two-year-old rescue dog named Bodie at home, who is “noticeably calmer” with…
