You are going to love this conversation with this week’s guest, Niki French! Today, Niki shares her dog training backstory, and why she decided to write the bestselling book, “STOP walking Your Dog” along with founding the international #dontwalkyourdogday which happens every April 2nd. We dive into how the whole idea - and pressure! - of taking our dogs for walks in the ways that we do is actually a human invention that isn’t necessarily the best thing for every dog. Niki also talks through a real-life example of how to help a senior dog with joint issues adjust to a new routine.
Niki is a self-described, “dog-mad, people-loving, award-winning dog trainer, author, and podcaster”. After a bicycle accident in 2014 interrupted her 30-year career as an international Sales and Marketing Director (queue the Universe stepping in!) Niki pursued her childhood dream of working with animals. In 2019 she set up Pup Talk and Twickenham Dog Services, in collaboration with her CEO Bodie, a lively Collie Lurcher Cross, that she rescued from Battersea Dogs and Cats Home in London. 
Niki’s area of expertise is really in helping dog-owners to learn how to leave stress and frustration behind with simple, fun, and transformational games to help build a stronger bond with their pup. If you’re anything like me, and the dog walk can be just as stressful for you as it is for your dog, I just know you’re going to come away from this episode feeling seen, and with a bunch of new tools for your tool belt! 
Even if you don’t have a reactive dog like Lucky, you’ll gain some really helpful tips and tricks that you can be using to enrich your dog’s experience, or to give them something really fun to do when going for a walk isn’t an option. You might even want to try out some of these suggestions this coming April 2nd to celebrate and take part in #dontwalkyourdogday
To find out more about Niki, her courses, and Don’t Walk Your Dog Awareness Day, visit her website: https://puptalk.co.uk
Instagram/X/TikTok/Threads @puptalk101
You can also find her amazing podcast, Pup Talk The Podcast on all major platforms, including https://puptalk.libsyn.com/
Please consider using the following affiliate links to purchase Niki’s book, ‘Stop Walking Your Dog: A Guide to Training Your Nervous, Reactive, or Over-Excited Pup’. When you do, I may receive a commission on qualifying purchases at no cost to you. This helps support the podcast to keep it running!
Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/3PkMVAV
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3wZRjim
And Tricia Hersey’s book, “Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto” that I mention can be purchased at the following affiliate link, if you’re interested in checking it out:
Amazon USA: https://amzn.to/3VHIsMP
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3IKScOE
Finally, a quick note that this episode was sponsored by Aspirationery, which, in full transparency, is another project of mine where we create books, notebooks, and stationery to help you become all you aspire to be. You can check out our shadow work and moon magic journals and workbooks, as well as our popular “My First Period Tracker” for young girls and tweens on Instagram @aspirationery.

TIME STAMPS
00:22 INTRO
05:54 Introducing Niki French!
14:00 Finding your mentors, voice, and confidence
16:45 The dog as WOMAN’S best friend + women rising to claim our voices
19:25 Why sometimes not walking your dog might be the best thing for your pup
34:15 Why your dog might have difficulty resting and switching off
41:15 Practical alternatives to the dog walk you can do today
53:00 What Niki suggests for a senior dog with joint issues that needs to reduce his walks, but loves the routine of walks, and how you can apply this to your dog
1:03:40 Practical tips to mix up what a walk looks like
1:06:15 #dontwalkyourdogday Join in the fun on April 2nd!
1:10:45 What dogs have taught Niki about what it means to be human
1:13:32 OUTRO
DISCLAIMER: This is not a substitute for medical advice or other relevant professional advice.