If you have a dog that is calm and relaxed when at home and outside, that is a beautiful thing. "Dogs do need training throughout their lives which helps them live calm and happy lives. You need to keep topping up their training. Dogs change over time and with that, so do their needs and habits. Having a dog is a big commitment "Dog training takes a lot of time. "You do need to do something else instead of the walk, not just watch Netflix. Do an activity that builds relationships. People do sometimes take on dogs without realising how much time they require. "If a dog is social and confident, or if it's nervous, the walk is specific to what a dog’s needs are.
Some clients’ dogs will be good for a walk between 2-3 times a day." It is very dog-dependant, so I’d say between 0-3 times a day. She said: “The number of times you take your dog out for a walk depends on the dog. Niki recommends taking your dog for a walk a few times a day if it is social and confident to do so. I’ve had people say to me: ‘Thank you for speaking out, my dog gets really anxious when outside.’" Other activities can enrich a dog’s life too. "I do think it’s important that dogs can sniff and enjoy the outdoors. Yes, walks are very stimulating and healthy for us, however it is helpful having other things in your toolkit when you’re unable to go for a walk. Dogs need plenty of exercise, so offer alternative forms. Some dogs have anxiety triggers, so it may be that they need a rest from walking.
"For example, if dogs are nervous, anxious or reactive of strangers or other dogs, or if the dog has had surgery. There are some dogs and some situations where it is not helpful to walk a dog. Niki said: “I am not saying dogs should not go for walks. Instead, she urges alternative forms of dog-friendly exercises and recommends owners expand their tool-kit while keeping the well-being of their dog front and centre. Niki French, bestselling author of STOP Walking Your Dog, says the act of taking a dog for a daily walk is dependent on many factors. An expert dog walker has challenged the idea that pet dogs need to be walked every day., saying in some situations it might not be helpful.