Do you make time to stop and smell the roses? What about giving your dog time to do so? A dog’s sense of smell is key to how they experience the world. Let them sniff and enjoy it.
Why Is Sniffing So Important?
Sniffing is a “species-typical” behavior, meaning that most dogs, by nature, find value in sniffing and benefit from it. Smell is one of the primary ways dogs understand their world. In the same way we humans use our eyes to look for friends, things to do or enjoy, or threats, dogs use their noses.
Sniffing is a form of information gathering – Who has been here? Might they be friend or competitor? Is there food nearby? Etc. Especially for a cautious or anxious dog, sniffing can help them understand the world around them and feel safer.
Having time to explore with their nose can be great mental exercise and promote calming. Your dog might be more tired and relaxed after a walk that includes lots of sniffing, compared to a walk where you cover more distance.
Finally, for some dogs, the motivation to sniff has been increased by selective breeding. Some breeds, such as scent hounds, have an increased need for this behavior. It’s extra valuable for them and they might have a harder time being denied.
Regardless of your dog’s breed though, opportunities to sniff should be a part of your dog’s life. Sniffing can even be part of a behavior change plan, helping your dog relax, recover from stressors, and focus.
Ways to Encourage Sniffing
For some dogs, this is easy – just let them stop and sniff on walks. I never recommend asking a dog to “heel” or maintain focus on you all the time. Give them a break and let them explore at their own pace.
Even better? Use a harness and long line (in a safe environment) to give them extra freedom to sniff and explore. If you’ve never used a long line before, check out this video.
Sometimes it’s harder than that. Dogs that are fearful, extremely prey-oriented, or otherwise over excited/stressed by the environment may not choose to sniff on a typical walk. In that case, you have some options:
- Choose scent-rich areas to walk, preferably with natural elements, like grass, bushes, dirt, etc. In a pinch, a tour of local trash bins can be interesting too (just watch for hazards on the ground around them).
- Look for safe, off-leash locations where your dog can avoid triggers and/or run off some energy until they are ready to sniff (try sniffspot.com).
- Scatter treats on the ground for your dog to search for. Pavement or dirt is easier; grass, leaves, or mulch make it more challenging (which can be good!).
- Set up sniffing and searching games at home. Hide treats around your house, enroll in a nose work class, or feed from a snuffle mat.
Overcoming Obstacles
Would you like to let your dog sniff but…?
- But… They’ll Never Want to Stop
- Have patience with your dog and let them enjoy a longer sniff whenever possible, especially if having this opportunity is new for them.
- Develop cues that indicate it’s time to move on and provide lots of good things for doing so.
- But… They Need to Pay Attention
- Determine clear differences between “working” time and “off” time through equipment (one harness vs another, for example), cues, and environments.
- Maintain a balance between time for your dog to sniff and make their own choices and when you need them to focus. It can’t be all one way.
- But… They’re Too Distracted
- Choose locations that are high in interesting things to sniff (usually naturally features) and low in other triggers. You might have to go off the beaten path.
- Play sniffing games at home (see above).
- But… They’ll Eat Things
- If your dog is regularly eating non-food items, have a vet evaluate them.
- Choose locations that are less likely to have trash or other challenges or play games inside or in controlled environments.
- Work with a certified trainer or behavior consultant to teach your dog new skills for safe exploration.
Dogs need to sniff. Letting them have the opportunity to gather information and make their own choices is extremely valuable for their welfare and can improve their behavior, too. We humans may not “get it,” but our dogs will thank us.
If your dog has a behavior problem that you need help solving, consider scheduling a private behavior consultation.