There is a way, however, for your dog to get even more enrichment from their regular walk around the block. Research shows total lack of freedom often leads to stress, anxiety, and depression. Fresh air, their best friend by their side, and soooo many birds, squirrels, and other pooches to check out- what’s not to like? Not much fun, eh? 'https:' : 'http:') + Dog noses are designed for smelling. googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_190x27_Sponsor_PETS_Content', [190, 27], 'PetGuide_com_190x27_Sponsor_PETS_Content').addService(googletag.pubads()); You may also want to use your dog’s love of sniffing as a reward for training while you’re on your walk. Yes, it is important to be mindful about what a dog is sniffing for their (and your) safety. googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_1x1_Slimcut_PETS_Content', [1, 1], 'PetGuide_com_1x1_Slimcut_PETS_Content').addService(googletag.pubads()); We credentialed, science-based dog trainers recommend giving dogs more opportunities to sniff on walks and explore their natural worlds in a way that makes sense to them. Without somewhere to put their building enthusiasm, their surplus energy bubbles over and turns into unwanted behaviors like chewing and being generally unmanageable. dfp728Slots[i].set('adsense_border_color','ffffff'); You don’t necessarily have to indulge him every time, but you should remember that the walk is for his benefit. By letting your dog sniff while on walks, you let them explore the world, making their walk much more enjoyable. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("folder4", "let-dog-sniff-walks"); Besides, teaching a dog the proper way to walk on leash makes the walk more enjoyable, less stressful, and relaxing for both parties. } But otherwise, I only give him a chance to pee every 1/2 hour or so, during a walk.” Original poster: “Thanks Adam. You don’t necessarily have to indulge him every time, but you should remember that the walk is for his benefit. For a dog, sniffing things is an automatic behavior – this is how he experiences the world, the same way you experience the world through vision. If I want to stop and let him sniff, I tell him, “Free!” (or ‘take a break’). So, how do you compromise with your sniffing-happy doggo? Sniffing a particular scent and then interpreting the accompanying information is the canine version of a mental work out. Which brings me to my main point: Walking your dog isn’t just for physical exercise; it’s important to let them sniff and get mental exercise, too. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("PageID", "42997"); They won’t be running miles or building up muscles, but being mentally engaged is equally important. Maybe the results aren’t as noticeable as a couple dropped pounds or gained muscle, but letting your dog sniff while on walks is a great way to keep him mentally engaged and reduce the risk of early cognitive decline. !function (e, f, u) { If you allow your dog to walk in front of you while on a lead you are reinforcing in the dog's mind that the dog is alpha over you because the leader always goes first. That’s okay sometimes, but even the best pet parents can’t accommodate a long sniff-filled walk every day. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("sitename", "petguide_com"); So, how do you compromise with your sniffing-happy doggo? window._taboola = window._taboola || []; Sniffing allows dogs to alleviate stress. // mobile ads When we go on a walk with our dog, sometimes we try to pull our dog along when they stop to sniff. It may take some extra patience on your part, but it could help keep your dog from depression, anxiety, and stress. They can tell another dog recently passed through the area and approximately how long ago they were there. if ( gfchelper.isAdProviderAllowed("taboola") ) { googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_300x90_Spotlight_PETS_Content', [300,125], 'PetGuide_com_300x90_Spotlight_PETS_Content').defineSizeMapping(googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1024, 10], [300, 125]).addSize([642, 10], [300, 125]).addSize([0, 0], [99999, 99999]).build()).addService(googletag.pubads()); That’s why it’s so important that you let your dog sniff things while he is out on a walk. var dfp728Slots = []; Dogs are big on sniffing- that’s something every dog owner can confirm. If you have your dog on a standard 3-foot lead, they are not really going to get the opportunity for much free behaviour. They walk a few feet before stopping to sniff, and then they take a few more steps to find something else worth smelling. If your dog is sniffing anything and everything he comes across while you are walking, you are going to want to do this training on walks. dfp728Slots[i].set('adsense_text_color','000000'); It’s not always a bad thing for people to guide their dogs through life. You want your precious pet to have his fun, but when it means sniffing every blade of grass, each lamp post you pass by, and every other crack in the pavement, things get old pretty fast. If your dog wants to sniff something for a few seconds, let him! .build(); Walk your dog, do not let your dog walk you. f.parentNode.insertBefore(e, f); Related: How To Stop Your Dog From Lunging While Walking. When us humans go out on a walk, we mostly pay attention to the world around us by looking around. e.src = u; The team at Ahimsa Dog Training compares asking a dog to not sniff during a walk to be the same as asking a person to walk around wearing a blindfold. Not only that, they can tell the dog’s gender, what they like to eat, and what kind of mood they were in. '//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js'; Photos by: Welshea Photography/Shutterstock. Or the fire hydrant. So, not only is it your job to make sure your dog gets a daily walk, but it is also your job to keep your dog safe on that walk – here are some dos and don’ts to follow: What you need to know before a new dog enters your pack According to American Pet Products Association’s (APPA) ... Socialization is important - your dog needs to get out there, meet new people, and experience new places. .addSize([320, 700], [320, 50]) If you deny them sniffing, it’s the same as you having to walk around blindfolded. Pick the Right Equipment for a Free Sniffing Walk. .addSize([1024, 200], [728, 90]) googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_Pushdown_PETS', [999,90], 'PetGuide_com_Pushdown_PETS').defineSizeMapping(googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1024, 10], [999, 90]).addSize([0, 0], [99999, 99999]).build()).addService(googletag.pubads()); If you deny them sniffing, it’s the same as you having to … If you are afraid that your dog can get sick when in contact with dirt then best choose to offer it long walks in wooded areas. That’s why it’s so important that you let your dog sniff things while he is out on a walk. It’s perfectly understandable, though. Deciding when to let your dog sniff and when to walk comes down to a number of factors, she says, including your dog’s age, the level of training your dog has mastered and what you need in a given situation. Yes, dogs love to sniff. Lots of dog owners take their canines on long walks only to jerk the leash anytime their nose lands close to a mark left by another dog. deployads.push(function () { deployads.gpt.enableServices() }); Keeping your dog under control doesn’t have to mean preventing him from enjoying the walk, however – you should let your dog sniff and explore to his heart’s content as long as it is safe for him to do so. Every tree, light pole, and pant leg is potentially covered in informative smells. Walking your dog may seem as simple as clipping on his leash and walking out the door but any experienced dog owner will tell you that there’s a little more to it. If they have no choices at all, they don’t have the possibility to avoid or relieve stress. }); e.async = 1; Horowitz says that there’s an important behavioral component that comes into play during scent walks. The mental enrichment your dog gets on a slow walk with lots of time for sniffing is much greater than they would get on a fast-paced, walk to heel. Sniffing is both relaxing and stimulating for a dog, and therefore a positive venture on a dog walk. A walk is the highlight of their day and they are content to go anywhere as long as they get to be outside and with you. Letting your dog sniff away for a few minutes at the beginning and the end of a walk or dedicate one walk a day … Sniffing during walks is a wonderful mental exersize, resulting in a calmer and more balanced dog at home. Their nose is their most powerful tool for exploring his surroundings. The same thing will happen on your walk. vsCFTagsEUFunctions.push(vsCFTaboolaHeaderEU); It isn't fun for the dog. Keep it all in the family… or should you? Here’s some info on why dogs love to sniff and why it’s important to let them do this. Hopefully, by now, your dog is well on his way to not pulling during walks. Your dog’s strutting and sniffing will keep them happy and healthy throughout their life- don’t underestimate the importance of “walkies”. // ads to be on every page To me, the dog sniffing the ground is essentially a precursor to him breaking the heel, for a few reasons: a) he’s not paying attention to you, so if you slow down or speed up, he is now … _taboola.push({article:'auto'}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; } Chihuahuas may not be known as scent dogs, but mine is. Your dog’s innate instincts are to explore the world with his nose, and preventing them from doing so is never a good idea. Before answering that, let’s see why dogs are obsessed with sniffing everything in the first place. This is why a dog’s sense of smell is the primary way he takes in information about the world around him. Their long snouts are ideal for reading “scent mail,” and they learn about the world by putting their nose to anything that seems interesting. The third of the 10 reasons why you should walk your dog is … If your dog wants to sniff something for a few seconds, let him! dfp728Slots[i].set('adsense_url_color','0983B6'); Also, you get to sniff all the fun stuff on walks, which is a particular treat for some canines. It can be frustrating to keep getting stopped by a sniffing dog, but dogs actually need this! e.async = 1; var useSSL = 'https:' == document.location.protocol; for (var i = 0; i < dfp728Slots.length; i++) { The reason why your pet is so keen on sniffing? (function() { And isn't that why you're walking the dog in the first place? .addSize([320, 400], [320, 50]) So, not only is it your job to make sure your dog gets a daily walk, but it is also your job to keep your dog safe on that walk – here are some dos and don’ts to follow: Even though you want your dog to sniff freely, it’s your responsibility to make sure that your dog is properly trained and controlled when you are out on a walk. Expecting your dog to not smell anything is basically like asking someone to not look out the window during a long drive… just not possible! })(); Getting your dog to exercise their brain will stave off cognitive decline once they reach old age and keep them from chewing up your shoes when they’re young and eager for entertainment. It’s a little like us trying to solve a tough logic problem—the required mental energy is tiring.”. If you do plan to allow your dog to enjoy more free sniffing time when out on a walk, it is important to consider what equipment you are using. var dfpMapping728x90 = googletag.sizeMapping() All dogs need regular exercise to stay physically healthy. Though dogs have the same five senses that people do, their sense of smell is infinitely stronger than ours. Though dogs have the same five senses that people do, their sense of smell is infinitely stronger than ours. googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_320x50_Bottom_PETS_Mobile', [320,50], 'PetGuide_com_320x50_Bottom_PETS_Mobile').defineSizeMapping(googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1024, 10], [99999, 99999]).addSize([642, 10], [99999, 99999]).addSize([0, 0], [320, 50]).build()).addService(googletag.pubads()); Whether you have a puppy or an adult, your dog simply loves to sniff around. function vsCFTaboolaHeaderEU() { Their nose has 60 times more receptors, clocking in at a whopping 300 million scent receptors in your dog’s honker. It’s a small decision in the grand scheme of things, but the chance to choose will do a great deal of good for their mental health. Before you bring home more than one puppy, read up on Littermate ... How To Safely Walk Your Dog In The Big City, How To Stop Your Dog From Lunging While Walking, Introducing A New Dog Into Your Multi Dog Household, 7 Reasons Why It’s Important to Properly Socialize Your Dog. The reason why your pet is so keen on sniffing? _taboola.push({article:'auto'}); We’ll tackle both of … .addSize([480, 200], [320, 50]) While on a walk, some dogs have a tendency to stop and sniff what seems like every couple of seconds – this can make your walk longer than you intended and it is frustrating for some dog owners. dfp728Slots.push(googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_728x90_Bottom_PETS_Content', [728, 90], 'PetGuide_com_728x90_Bottom_PETS_Content').defineSizeMapping(dfpMapping728x90).addService(googletag.pubads())); “I've found that when dogs are allowed to use their noses, they actually display a lot less ‘misbehavior,’” she says. A dog in this state has ‘shut down’ and no longer makes any attempt to improve his situation.”. Your dog’s strutting and sniffing will keep them happy and healthy throughout their life- don’t underestimate the importance of “walkies”. But this is a very important activity for a dog. Or the post. For a dog, sniffing things is an automatic behavior – this is how he experiences the world, the same way you experience the world through vision. However, as long as it’s a P-mail that the dog is investigating with its snout, sniff away we say! It is also in our best interest to tire them a little, so they won’t chew on our shoes or furniture. If you only have time for a quick trip down the road and back, do your dog a favor and focus on mental enrichment instead of distance traveled. } A walk where they’re allowed to sniff until they’re mentally content is the perfect opportunity to address both your dog’s physical and mental needs. As much good long and regular walks do for your dog’s physical health, they have as much benefits- if not more so- for their mental health and wellbeing. Conclusion. Let your dog navigate the world and enjoy being outside. f.parentNode.insertBefore(e, f); If your dog is sniffing you or other people he greets inappropriately, you're going to need to set up some of these situations to train your dog during … Along with physical exercise, dogs require mental stimulation, and a daily walk can satisfy both these needs. googlefc.callbackQueue.push(function() { Sometimes, it’s fine to let your dog dawdle and sniff … For a dog, sniffing things is an automatic behavior – this is how he experiences the world, the same way you experience the world through vision. }); console.log("cf: taboola googlefc not found. Your dog’s innate instincts are to explore the world with his nose, and preventing them from doing so is never a good idea. To summarize, sniffing is incredibly important for dogs. It is known that of all five senses dogs possess, the smell is a Husky’s dominant sense. Or maybe your dog doesn’t stop to sniff, but rather to leave a scent marker to tell all his doggy friends (or enemies…) that he was there. We have five or six million scent receptors in our noses, but … googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); © 2013 VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. I … It is very important that you can have quality walks with it and let it enjoy its own nature. If … From the awkward crotch sniffers to mutts that act like their great-grandad was a certified bloodhound, every pooch has different sniffing habits. That will go a long way in ending these stop ‘n sniff sessions! googletag.pubads().setTargeting("folder1", "petcare"); Their movements are restricted by fences and leashes, they sit when they’re told to sit, they eat what they’re told to eat, and they walk when their owner decides it’s time. document.write('
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