Trainer On Why It May Not Be A Good Idea To Walk Your Dog Every Day

Dog owners are always looking for ways to give their canine friends the absolute best life. They might buy quality food, do regular veterinary check-ups, and offer their pups daily walks.

While walking your dog every day may seem like a healthy and sure thing to do, one dog trainer claims it may not be as beneficial as it sounds.

53-year-old Niki French has been training dogs for years and according to her, not all pups need a daily walk. In fact, it may be better to opt for less regular walks!

In an interview with the Mirror, French said: “It might come as a surprise, but traditional walks are a human invention and aren’t helpful for many of our dogs.”

In place of walks, she suggests implementing training sessions and games at home to provide the dogs with “the skills they’re missing to live calm and happy lives.”

She added, “Contrary to popular belief, dogs with behavior struggles can get more reactive or more excitable when we try to exhaust them through too much exercise.”

Daily walks can be stressful for dogs and owners alike, especially if a dog is reactive. Beyond that, the weather isn’t always great for walking which can put dog owners in a tricky situation where they feel obligated to get their pet out, but they don’t want to brave the weather.

Thankfully, there are some games you can play at home with your pup that can help stimulate your dog mentally and physically while building your bond with them. Having other ways to bond with your dog and offer them exercise and mental stimulation is a great way to keep your toolbox full when it comes to caring for your pet.

According to the Mirror, French said that her rescue dog is calmer when playing games with him in place of daily walks. She still takes her him on walks, but replacing some of the walks with playtime and training helps his attitude and overall demeanor. Her clients reportedly said they’ve noticed the same thing with their dogs!

So, if you’re tired of going on daily walks with your dog and would rather try other ways to exercise and bond with them, it might be worth trying out some interactive games and training sessions from home!