Leave Time for Sniffing on Your Dog's Walk

Your dog stops at the same tree again. You've barely left home, and the walk already feels behind schedule. Before hurrying on, consider what the dog is doing there. Walks offer opportunities to investigate smells as well as move. Leaving time for that exploration can change how you plan the outing.

A scent stop is part of the walk

Blue Cross describes a dog's sense of smell as a way of gathering information about the environment. Its enrichment guidance includes slow sniff walks that let dogs explore at their own pace, including dogs who need to stay on a lead.

Distance doesn't record those opportunities. A familiar stretch with several unhurried stops offers a different experience from covering it without stopping. Keep suitable physical activity in your dog's routine, with room for sniffing alongside it. There's no need to turn time spent at a tree into an equivalent number of kilometres.

You may cover less ground when you leave time for investigation. Plan for that before setting off: choose a shorter loop if the available time would otherwise mean hurrying past every place your dog wants to explore.

Choose the space before offering the choice

Start where you can safely follow your dog's interest. Blue Cross advises avoiding situations likely to make a dog stressed or worried. If close encounters with other dogs are difficult, a busy park at its peak time may leave little comfortable space to investigate. A quieter familiar route can be a useful starting point.

Keep the lead attached where it is needed, and offer choices within the safe area you've selected. The RSPCA advises keeping dogs within sight and preventing them from eating unfamiliar things outdoors. Watch what the nose is approaching. An interesting smell beside a road or among discarded food still needs you to intervene.

You don't need to visit a new place every day. Blue Cross notes that some dogs enjoy variety, while others do better with a predictable routine. Choose the outing for the dog in front of you.

Make the next walk easier to plan

Try leaving one safe stretch of your usual route open for a slower pace. Notice where your dog chooses to pause and whether the surroundings give them room to do it. Keep those observations simple: a quiet verge with space to move away may be more useful than a crowded destination.

Let the dog move on when they're ready, provided the direction is safe. You can also guide them away when the path becomes busy or the spot is unsuitable. Giving choice within a safe space still leaves you responsible for the route.

A dog who needs to remain on a lead can still have chances to explore. On the next outing, leave enough time for a few of the stops your dog chooses, even if that means a shorter loop.

References

Life on a Lead Keeping Walks Fun for Your Dog — Blue Cross, 2024.

Enrichment for Dogs — Blue Cross, 2024.

How to Walk Your Dog Safely and Responsibly — RSPCA.