How do I stop my dog from sniffing everything on walks?

Sniffing is an important and natural behaviour for dogs. With more than 220 million sensors in their noses, dogs have an extremely keen sense of smell – more than 10,000 times more sensitive than humans. Give your dog’s nose a workout before an event, this will not only tire your dog out but also satiate the nose, making him or her less likely to sniff things that are off limits. Offer new, interesting scents to appease that curious nose. Teach your dog the “sit” and “leave it” commands, best taught to a dog early in life, these commands will help your dog to stop sniffing on your cue. If your dog tries to sniff when guests arrive, gently tug on his or her leash saying “no” and repeat the “sit” and “leave it” commands. If your dog stops sniffing, make sure you praise his or her obedience with a treat or toy reward. Consistently train your dog, never allow your dog to get away with a behaviour that is inappropriate. Avoid punishment, if your dog has a wayward sniff every now and then, don’t punish him or her, rather employ the “sit” and “stay” commands and reward them when they comply.

You can’t (and shouldn’t) put an end to his sniffing habits altogether, but there are some ways to allow your dog to sniff while also maintaining a sense of control. It’s definitely okay to let your dog stop and sniff for a few seconds; it’s even better to have a longer, clearly-defined “sniff session” where he can sniff to his heart’s content in a safe spot. That way, if Fido knows he’ll get to sniff later, he may not be as stubborn when you pull him away earlier in the walk. To establish control, make sure your dog has an understanding of basic commands: “leave it,” “heel,” or “no,” for example. Another helpful command to teach is “go sniff.” This will let your dog know that he’s free to explore, but that he’s doing so on your terms. Depending on how much your pup loves sniffing, “go sniff” could sometimes even be used in lieu of a treat! For dogs who are incredibly stubborn sniffers, such as hounds, it may also be a good idea to do some nose work exercises before you head out for your daily walk. Hide a treat, toy, or even a favorite sock somewhere around the house and instruct your pup to go find it. By providing sufficient stimulation before the walk, your dog may not feel the need to sniff out his surroundings so strongly on his walk.