A dog behaviourist is warning owners against a common walking habit – pulling dogs away when they stop to sniff. One in three owners admits to doing exactly that, but specialists say sniffing is a genuine cognitive activity, and constantly rushing dogs onwards can mean they miss out on an important part of their walk.
Sniffing is a cognitive activity
To coincide with National Dog Day on Wednesday, August 26, owners are instead encouraged to embrace their dog's sniffing during walks. Experts say a dog lingering over a patch of grass or a tree trunk isn’t wasting time.
Sniffing helps them gather information about their surroundings and provides mental stimulation. Also, having more choice over what they investigate can help them feel calmer.
Owners admit to rushing walks
Yet research suggests many owners may be cutting these moments short. Research shows that more than half (54%) admit they rush walks in cold or wet weather, and one in three (33%) say they often pull their dog along when it stops to sniff.
Zoe Willingham, a dog behaviourist and qualified scent-detection handler, is urging owners to stop rushing their pets past smells. She said: "When dogs are sniffing, they are processing information and investigating their environment. It is a genuine cognitive activity.
"One of the most common mistakes owners make is rushing the walk, constantly encouraging dogs to keep moving rather than allowing them to investigate. Pulling them away from every interesting smell, when they are trying to investigate safely and appropriately, can mean they miss out."
What a patch of grass reveals
Zoe added: "A patch of grass that looks completely unremarkable to us can contain all sorts of information for a dog. Scents left by other animals or found in vegetation can reveal information about what has been happening in an area – which helps explain why a seemingly ordinary patch of grass can hold a dog’s attention for so long."
Dom Burke, Behaviour Policy Officer at Dogs Trust, said: "Smell is very important to our dogs. Sniffing is a natural behaviour and is a key way our dogs gain information about their environment. Their sense of smell is so powerful that dogs can be trained to detect lots of different things.
"Conservation, medical detection and search and rescue work are just some of the ways a dog’s amazing nose can help find things. But your dog doesn’t have to be an expert.
"Help your dog make the most of their nose by allowing them plenty of opportunity and time to sniff on walks. It will help them feel happy, fulfilled and turn every walk into a little adventure."
