A dog trainer has issued a stark warning against interrupting your pet when they stop to sniff their environment during walks. The trainer, known as @SouthernDogTraining on social media, has emphasised the significance of allowing dogs to indulge in this natural behaviour without restricting their sniffing time. Addressing the question, 'Is it okay for your dog to sniff during a walk?', he said: 'Yes, and it should be encouraged.' He added: 'If you have a trainer tell you your dog shouldn't be sniffing on a walk, you need a new trainer.'
The Benefits of Sniffing for Dogs
The trainer said it can be beneficial to take a dog on a 'sniff walk,' allowing it to smell whatever it wants. 'A dog is primarily scent driven,' he said. 'When a dog is sniffing, it is taking in all that information, it's collecting data. When a dog is sniffing, it is very relaxing and mentally enriching.'
Nevertheless, he suggests that, while dogs ought to be allowed to sniff, they shouldn't control the walk's path purely with their nose, but instead sniff along a predetermined route. Furthermore, he notes that 'sniff walks' can tire a dog out more effectively than simply allowing them to play in a field for lengthy periods because it engages their sense of smell, brain, and body.
Social Media Reactions
Social media users responded, with one remarking: 'I heard it was good for his mental health and it happened, he sniffed the whole wall, came home and slept for hours.' Another added: 'I hate it when I see people yank their dog away from sniffing. It's like taking a book away from us when we are engrossed!'
A third user commented: 'We do this with our Tia. She's so much happier and always much more tired and super well behaved.' Another added: 'When we're on walks we do dog stuff, sniffing digging jumping in puddles, to be honest I have more fun than he does.'
Scientific Perspective from the American Kennel Club
An American Kennel Club statement, quoting Staci Lemke, explains that sniffing is how dogs gather and process information to interpret the world. It reads: 'Imagine someone taking you to an art gallery, then blindfolding you. You wouldn't get much out of it, would you? I imagine that's how it is for dogs that are rushed along on walks without the opportunity to stop and sniff.'
Elaborating further on canine olfactory abilities, the statement notes: 'When you look at the science, it's no surprise dogs love to sniff everything. Dogs' noses have more than 200 million scent receptors - compared to a measly six million in humans. Plus, dogs sniff five to 10 times a second, which we only do once every 1.5 seconds.'
'Studies even suggest sniffing makes dogs feel more optimistic. Sniffing offers your pet the chance to make more of their own choices and engage in naturally enriching behaviours.'
