why it's important to let your dog sniff during walks

f.parentNode.insertBefore(e, f); Also, you get to sniff all the fun stuff on walks, which is a particular treat for some canines. This is why a dog’s sense of smell is the primary way he takes in information about the world around him. googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_x61_PETS', [1658,1000], 'PetGuide_com_x61_PETS').defineSizeMapping(googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1024, 10], [1658, 1000]).addSize([0, 0], [99999, 99999]).build()).addService(googletag.pubads()); 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. Most of the time, it’s a matter of safety—like not letting your dog run off-leash in an uncontrolled area. Your dog’s strutting and sniffing will keep them happy and healthy throughout their life- don’t underestimate the importance of “walkies”. If your dog wants to sniff something for a few seconds, let him! This means a shorter sniffy walk can tire them out and they will generally be more relaxed and less likely to exhibit destructive or … 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. That’s why it’s so important that you let your dog sniff things while he is out on a walk. A daily walk is your chance to give your dog some slack and let them make decisions on their own. }); Sniffing is Rewarding If your dog keeps sniffing on walks, before approaching the problem, it’s important to realize how rewarding it is for a dog to sniff in the first place. They can tell another dog recently passed through the area and approximately how long ago they were there. That’s okay sometimes, but even the best pet parents can’t accommodate a long sniff-filled walk every day. 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. Your dog’s innate instincts are to explore the world with his nose, and preventing them from doing so is never a good idea. // mobile ads Let your dog navigate the world and enjoy being outside. If you spend every step of every walk forcing your dog to heel by your side and making every decision on which way you turn, you could be adding to their stress when you want to be relieving it. Without somewhere to put their building enthusiasm, their surplus energy bubbles over and turns into unwanted behaviors like chewing and being generally unmanageable. It can be frustrating to keep getting stopped by a sniffing dog, but dogs actually need this! When your dog looks like she’s just about done sniffing, say, “Let’s Go” and start walking again. Before answering that, let’s see why dogs are obsessed with sniffing everything in the first place. Or the post. Dog noses are designed for smelling. However, if your pooch wants to sniff a log for five or ten minutes, it is a good idea to let them. Dogs are made to sniff. function vsCFTaboolaHeaderEU() { googletag.pubads().setTargeting("folder4", "let-dog-sniff-walks"); 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. To summarize, sniffing is incredibly important for dogs. Your dog’s strutting and sniffing will keep them happy and healthy throughout their life- don’t underestimate the importance of “walkies”. googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_300x250_Top1_PETS_Content', [300,250], 'PetGuide_com_300x250_Top1_PETS_Content').defineSizeMapping(googletag.sizeMapping().addSize([1024, 10], [300, 250]).addSize([642, 10], [300, 250]).addSize([0, 0], [99999, 99999]).build()).addService(googletag.pubads()); But this is a very important activity for a dog. 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. Their nose is their most powerful tool for exploring his surroundings. If you deny them sniffing, it’s the same as you having to … Their nose has 60 times more receptors, clocking in at a whopping 300 million scent receptors in your dog’s honker. Because humans are such visual creatures, we may forget how significant a role a dog’s sense of smell plays in their life. Some pet owners refer to these breaks as "checking their pee-mail," which … //Add Taboola Header tag functions to eu and non-eu arrays. ` That will go a long way in ending these stop ‘n sniff sessions! This is why a dog’s sense of smell is the primary way he takes in information about the world around him. While you’re busy looking at the scenery, your dog’s nose is working overtime. If you deny them sniffing, it’s the same as you having to walk around blindfolded. Dogs rely on their noses to tell them important things about the world, and the time they spend on their walks is time spent catching up on the neighborhood news. If … vsCFTagsEUFunctions.push(vsCFTaboolaHeaderEU); You don’t necessarily have to indulge him every time, but you should remember that the walk is for his benefit. Not to mention that sniffing on walks can impact your dog’s leash manners, making him pull and tug to reach the object that piqued his interest. Not much fun, eh? That’s why it’s so important that you let your dog sniff things while he is out on a walk. Sniffing allows dogs to alleviate stress. Going on walks is especially important for high-energy dogs. Taking your dog for a walk is about more than just giving him some exercise – it’s also an opportunity for socialization and a chance for him to explore his world and expand his mind. dfp728Slots[i].set('adsense_url_color','0983B6'); T. heir nose has 60 times more receptors, clocking in at a whopping 300 million scent receptors in your dog’s honker. if (typeof(dfp728Slots) !== 'undefined' && dfp728Slots.length > 0) { Yes, dogs love to sniff. } You may also want to use your dog’s love of sniffing as a reward for training while you’re on your walk. function vsCFTaboolaHeaderNonEU() { It is also in our best interest to tire them a little, so they won’t chew on our shoes or furniture. } When us humans go out on a walk, we mostly pay attention to the world around us by looking around. They walk a few feet before stopping to sniff, and then they take a few more steps to find something else worth smelling. Seeing a leash or hearing the magic words gets doggos excited with good reason, as “walkies” are a favorite activity for most pets. Which means it won't be fun for you. It’s not always a bad thing for people to guide their dogs through life. I … And isn't that why you're walking the dog in the first place? They can smell a visitor’s pant-leg and get a good impression of where the person lives and whether he has pets at home.”. .addSize([320, 700], [320, 50]) _taboola.push({article:'auto'}); However, as long as it’s a P-mail that the dog is investigating with its snout, sniff away we say! googletag.pubads().setTargeting("sitename", "petguide_com"); } 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. } 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. A long walk or run seems like the only way to deplete a young dog’s abundance of energy, but physical exercise isn’t the only way to satisfy their needs. dfp728Slots.push(googletag.defineSlot('/1030735/PetGuide_com_728x90_Top_PETS_Content', [728, 90], 'PetGuide_com_728x90_Top_PETS_Content').defineSizeMapping(dfpMapping728x90).addService(googletag.pubads())); dfp728Slots[i].set('adsense_text_color','000000'); "); Sometimes, it’s fine to let your dog dawdle and sniff … A dog in this state has ‘shut down’ and no longer makes any attempt to improve his situation.”. It is very important that you can have quality walks with it and let it enjoy its own nature. So as long as possible, give him some slack and allow him to make decisions for itself. 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. So give your dog time to stop and sniff the bushes. Too much control, however, can negatively affect your dog. 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. 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. 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. Keep it all in the family… or should you? Every now and then, it’s important to let your dog stop and smell the roses…and the fire hydrants, and that bush, and maybe even that fence post way over there. They’re even told when they’re allowed to go to the bathroom. googletag.pubads().setTargeting("folder3", "dog"); Leashed dogs during walks should have the freedom to use their noses while also having an owner that will compromise. Be a Hero – Sign up to receive our emails today and we'll donate a meal to a shelter dog on your behalf. If your dog is among them, you’re probably wondering should you let them do it in the first place. // ads to be on every page If your dog had their choice all the time, they’d probably zigzag their way through the neighborhood stopping every few feet and going wherever their nose decides to take them. var src = (useSSL ? Why They Sniff. Yes, it is important to be mindful about what a dog is sniffing for their (and your) safety. It isn't fun for the dog. Primary way he takes in information about the world around us by looking around attention to the.... 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