How much should I let my dog sniff on a walk?
Jordy Gutmann
2025-06-23 17:47:35
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The dog worlds is ruled by the nose and sniffing stuff is one of the long time favorite pastimes of dogs everywhere. If their nose catches something interesting they feel compelled to go check it out. Now, just because your pooch wants to sniff something doesn’t mean you should allow him to sniff every single little thing he wants to. And there should probably be a time limit too – I mean some dogs dig their nostrils in there and set up camp. If I let my dog decide how much sniffing she should do, our short ten minute walk around the block would take about two hours. You dictate the pace and the amount of sniffing to be done. Sometime enough is enough already and we have to get moving. If you are interested in getting some exercise, then you should not allow your dog to stop and sniff too much. However, if you’re just out for a leisurely stroll then feel free to let your pooch sniff away. It’s really up to you.
Cara Tromp
2025-06-21 00:02:34
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The duration you allow your dog to sniff during walks depends on various factors, including your dog’s age, health, and overall behavior. While there’s no set rule, experts generally recommend allowing your dog to sniff for at least 10-15 minutes during each walk. This gives them the opportunity to engage their powerful sense of smell, which provides mental stimulation and enrichment. However, it’s essential to strike a balance between sniffing time and the overall duration of the walk. Find a balance between sniff breaks, walking, and exploring. Give them opportunities to sniff, then gently encourage them to move on. Remember, safety first! Be mindful of hazards and use a long leash when needed. Vary the duration and location of sniff breaks, and change the walking spots to keep things exciting and your furry friend engaged.
Asha Walker
2025-06-14 05:55:14
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It’s tempting to hurry our dogs along when time is short, but giving them time to sniff is almost as important as the physical exercise they get from a walk. Sniffing is your dog’s way of making sense of the world around them - and it provides lots of mental stimulation, which can help keep their brain healthy as well as their body. Pay attention to the things your dog likes to sniff the most. We bet when you see how much joy it brings them, you’ll be much more inclined to let them have time to sniff more frequently. Simply go for a walk in a favourite park or open space, but let your dog take the lead. Allow them to sniff out a route of their own and to follow smells that they find interesting. Experts tell us just 20 minutes of sniffing is equivalent to an hour’s walk in terms of enrichment for your dog.
Ola Barrows
2025-06-01 13:18:27
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Older dogs need a slower, gentler style of walk. Older dogs don't need to be marching for the whole 10 minutes of a walk. If you have 10 minutes and they go 10 metres but spend nine and a half minutes sniffing a lamp post; for that dog that is probably so much better than you trying to drag it around a circular walk around the block. Sniffing provides lots of mental stimulation, particularly if your dog is growing old in years. As most dogs age, they become increasingly motivated to sniff, irrespective of whether or not that's what they wanted to do before. You see so many dogs being yanked because the owner thinks either the walk is for the dog and it needs to move, or because they are so fed up of the sniffing - but embracing the 'sniffari' is really important.
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