The Joy of Sniffing

The Joy of Sniffing

Taking your dog on a “sniff walk” has become the latest trend. I see reels and read articles; the idea is everywhere. Remember, you want to be a good dog parent and provide some boundaries even when they’re enjoying the slower pace of sniffing.

Structured Sniffing

Twenty-plus years ago, I had a beagle learning to be a proper show dog. Several times a week, we walked two laps around the park. He wore the show lead for the first lap; he learned to prance the entire lap with his head up and tail wagging. We’d stop at the car, switch to a different collar, and he immediately began his slow leisurely sniff lap. He knew when we changed collars; he could relax. Structured sniffing and walking mean I will direct it but offer stimulus to entertain and stimulate them. Our combination strengthened training and communication and rewarded him for a well-done job. If I was in a hurry, his reward for a “show,” lap was a food treat. Sometimes, you don’t have time for a slow meandering sniff, and that’s okay. It’s better to save the sniffing for another day than to rush. The sniff lap was a reward, never his expectation.

Alternate Sniffing Fun

We’ve incorporated a sniff session into our dogs’ lives at home because walks aren’t always convenient. We have sections of our yard that we use for different dogs, and it’s a fantastic sniff fest when I flip the play areas, thereby giving them all new spaces to sniff. You can accomplish this by having playdates at a friend’s house and allowing the dogs to run free in a new yard, fenced, of course.
Another fun activity involves hiding food and allowing the dog to find it. I’ve seen mats designed with this game in mind, and they’re fantastic for smaller spaces or inside. My preference is to provide more of a challenge and, at the same time, keep the mess outside. I make homemade meatballs for the momma dogs, break them into small pieces and scatter them around the yard. An alternative is to thin canned dog food with water and toss it with dry kibble before spreading it around the yard. It’s a doggie egg hunt.
The at-home sniff doesn’t offer the variety that a slow meander away from home does; they’re fun alternatives.