A dog trainer has issued a stark warning against stopping your pet from sniffing during walks. The trainer, known as @SouthernDogTraining on social media, has emphasised the vital importance of allowing dogs to indulge in this natural behaviour without restricting their sniffing time.
The Importance of Sniffing for Dogs
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. A dog is primarily scent-driven. 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."
He recommends taking your dog on a 'sniff walk', particularly to new locations, underlining its substantial benefits. That said, he suggests that while dogs should be permitted to sniff, they shouldn't control the walk's route entirely with their nose, but instead sniff along a predetermined path.
Sniff Walks Tire Dogs More Effectively
Additionally, he notes that 'sniff walks' can tire out a dog more effectively than simply letting them run around in a field for long stretches because it engages their sense of smell, mind, and body.
Social media users responded, with one saying: "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 said: "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 Backing from the American Kennel Club
Backing up the benefits of sniff walks, the American Kennel Club has released a statement, quoting Staci Lemke, which 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."
The statement also highlights the remarkable science behind a dog's sense of smell: "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.
