DON'T WALK YOUR DOG DAY 2nd April

What is #DontWalkYourDogDay and how can you get involved?

Not all dogs love their walks

#DontWalkYourDogDay

In fact, for some dogs – especially those who are nervous, anxious, reactive, or over-excitable – the daily walk can actually do more harm than good.

#DontWalkYourDogDay is here to spread the word:

You don’t have to walk your dog every day.

And choosing not to walk them is not a failure – it can be the kindest thing you do.

dont walk your dog day press

Why it matters

Whether your dog…

  • Gets overwhelmed by the outside world
  • Struggles with reactivity or anxiety
  • Is recovering from illness, surgery, or injury
  • Finds walks too over-stimulating
  • Causes your anxiety levels to soar
  • Or just doesn’t enjoy them

…this campaign is for you.
Founder and dog behaviour expert Niki French created #DontWalkYourDogDay to empower owners with alternative ways to meet their dog’s needs – that don’t rely on a traditional walk.

“I used to think my own rescue dog, Bodie, needed two walks a day – but when I stopped the second one, everything changed for the better.” – Niki

Let’s give ourselves – and our dogs – permission to pause.

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What you can do instead of a walk

Let’s rethink the routine – walks aren’t always the answer

  • Scent games at home
  • Training games and trick training
  • Enrichment toys
  • Calm confidence-building activities
  • ‘Paws up’ games, tug toys, or garden exploring
  • ACE Free Work or fitness games
  • Visit a quiet private field
  • Just chill together and bond 💛

No matter how much space you have, there’s always something you can do.

Woman holding dog on his chest.

How to get involved

Join in on 2nd April (or share in the lead-up).

Post on your social media about the alternatives to walking your dog.
Share the brilliant cartoon at the top of this page by @ScottysCartoons that says it all.
Use the hashtag #DontWalkYourDogDay.
Tag @puptalk on Facebook and @puptalk101 on Instagram/Twitter.

Let’s help more people understand that walks are not the only answer – and support those who feel judged or alone when walking isn’t right for their dog.

Frequently asked questions

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