On this episode, I chat with dog trainer Niki French of Pup Talk who has a surprising answer to the question ‘how often should I walk my dog?’.Niki is an experienced dog trainer who tells owners that not every dog should be walked every day. In fact, in some cases, it’s not only better to stop walking your dog completely. This will actually make them happier!For many dogs and their owners a walk can be a real source of stress. Instead, Niki says that you should focus on your dog’s mental stimulation, which can be more beneficial for dogs than walking.Niki and I have a detailed discussion about how you can start to mentally stimulate your dog at home, in an environment where the dog is safe and not confronted by things that they are afraid of.Niki emphasizes the importance of learning to read your dog’s body language so that you can tell their moods, and she also encourages dog owners to keep working on their dog’s confidence at every stage of their life, to keep them ready for any challenges they may face.She also suggests games that you can play with your dog on a walk to keep them mentally and physically active, all of which are quick and easy to do and don’t require expensive toys.We finish the podcast by discussing how to reintroduce walking back into your dog’s routine in a way that’s safe and satisfying.I’d love to hear from you if any of these dog mental stimulation tips have worked for you, so please do get in touch on Instagram @ourpetshealth, and be sure to share this important message with any dog parents in your life, to help them give their dog a happier, healthier life.For all the links mentioned and to dive deeper into this topic be sure to head over to the full show notesTimestamps[01:40] The surprising message of today’s show[03:35] Niki introduces herself and talks about her experience of being a dog trainer[06:30] Walking nervous dogs[08:53] The mental shift of not walking your dog[10:05] Changing your attitude towards walking your dog[11:13] How to mentally stimulate your dog without walking[13:45] Telling the difference between an excited dog and a nervous dog[14:50] What to do if your dog barks at someone during a walkWritten by Sarah Hopkinson for the Call The Vet podcast copyhop.co[16:30] Keeping your dog calm and confident[18:51] Keeping your dog mentally stimulated throughout the day[19:36] Games to play with your dog on a walk[22:19] Making games for your dog to play in the house[24:59] Tackling age-related mental decline in dogs[27:13] Reintroducing walking back into your dog’s routine[32:13] Stop Walking Your Dog: Niki’s dog training guide