Can My Dog Sniff on his Walk?

I get asked this question a lot. Some people believe that a walk should be for the dog’s enjoyment – sniffing, pulling, and wandering wherever his nose may take him.  Others think that a walk should always be strict, with the dog constantly at their side moving briskly with no funny business. So which is correct?  I think they both are!

Some researchers have brought up the idea that we humans are trying to suppress one of the dog’s most natural and important instincts – sniffing. Even the AKC recently posted that we should let dogs sniff on their walks. After all, sniffing is the main way dogs learn intricate details about their environment and who/what has recently passed through it. According to numerous sources, a dog has more than 220 million olfactory receptors in its nose (we humans only have about 5 million!).

But on the other hand, what about the pulling? Some dogs pull so much on a walk that it can be difficult for the human to maintain control. Being pulled down on a walk is no fun, not to mention dangerous! And what about the fact that a walk should be a good form of exercise for both of you?

So…why not have two types of walks? That’s my favorite answer! Teach your dog a specific type of structured walk using a specific command (some use the command “heel”). During this type of walk there should be no sniffing, pulling, lagging, marking territory, greeting…basically your dog is at your side and you are in charge.

After a short time of the structured walk, you decide when it’s time to give your dog a break. Now he may do doggy stuff, wander, eliminate and sniff, sniff, SNIFF until his heart’s content! That is, until you decide it’s time for the structured walk again. And back and forth between structured walk and fun walk so your dog learns the difference between the two.

There is a time and place for both types of walks. When you take your dog for a hike you want your dog to sniff, explore and enjoy the beautiful landscape. But when someone has 3 dogs and is approaching you at a narrow pathway it’s time for the structured walk. Use the command that you’ve dutifully taught to get your dog back under strict control and pass the passersby. What a great way to have a great hike and avoid an unpleasant incident!

Yes, dogs can absolutely learn different types of walks, and as far as I’m concerned they should!

Practice practice practice!

Yours in good training,

Stacie & Ronan