It’s a common scenario. Your dog picks up a scent on their walk, then another… and then another. Soon you’ve made five stops before your walk has really begun. But if you find yourself repeatedly stopping this behaviour, you'll want to think again.
According to Zoe Willingham, a dog behaviourist and scent detection handler, a dog lingering over a particular smell is an important behaviour for them and their growth.
“When dogs are sniffing, they are processing information and investigating their environment. It is a genuine cognitive activity,” says Willingham.
“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."
To us mere humans, these stops seem empty. A random sniff of grass or a smell of a nearby tree. However, for dogs, this is crucial information, helping them understand the world around them. This behaviour also gives dogs crucial mental stimulation, helping them feel calmer.
A dog has roughly 300 million scent receptors. In fact, scent is one of their main methods for examining the world around them, making these frequent stops even more important for their understanding of the world.
On top of this, sniffing frequently can be just as important for tiring out a dog as the walk itself. If you find your dog is still full of energy when it gets home, more smell breaks could help to ease this.
In support of letting dogs enjoy a good smell here or there, Dog’s Trust is launching ‘Sniffari’ in the Durham Dales. This is a six-mile walk that encourages dogs to dictate a walk through the woodland guided by their nose.
However, you don’t need to find yourself in the Durham Dales to take part in this behaviour. Next time you take your dog for a walk, take a few extra minutes to let them experience the world through their nose.
“Conservation, medical detection and search and rescue work are just some of the ways a dog’s amazing nose can help find things, says Dom Burke, a behaviour policy officer at Dog’s Trust.
“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.”
