We’ve all been on walks with our dogs, strolling along when all of sudden there’s a yank from behind us. The dog’s face is buried into the grass, rapidly breathing, and working around the stump of a tree. We give an eye roll and a quick pull on the leash to get moving again. Wash and repeat many times over through the duration of the walk. It’s a frustrating battle for many dog owners, but one we should get comfortable with losing. There have been proven and implied benefits to letting your dog follow his nose and it just might help you take life a little slower as well. For starters, here are just some of the perks of letting your dog sniff during walks:
  1.       Mental stimulation We all know brain work is second to none when it comes to tiring out your dog. In fact, mental stimulation is shown to wear your dog out more than exercise alone! There are a lot of scents your dog encounters when on a walk – taking in all that information works his brain, allowing him to focus, relax, and be more fatigued.
  2.       Information sharing Experts refer to “sniff walks” (walks intentionally to allow your dog to sniff things) as the social media of canines. There is an excess amount of information swapped between dogs through scent alone. Here they can catch up on who has been where, what critters are around, and when it all happened.
  3.       Sharpen senses Our dogs are born with a better sense of smell than humans will ever have. By allowing them to sniff on walks, we are also allowing them to enhance this natural sense. This is particularly important for scent hounds, like Beagles, as they thrive when able to pursue what comes to them naturally.
Incorporating Sniff Walks into a Routine Unlike walks for exercise, sniff walks don’t have to be long – even 10-15 minutes will do just fine. Longer sniff sessions are encouraged when time allows, but you can rest assured that there is no exact science as to how long a sniff walk should be. It can be as simple as giving your dog extra time in the backyard or being okay with some additional stops on a walk intended for exercise. When planning a sniff walk, be intentional with your route and/or destination. If your dog is not reactive, feel free to enjoy sensory walks in high-traffic dog areas. Hikes in wood areas, along streams, or in fields are great for allowing him to scent wildlife. Sniff walks are a great addition to any dog’s routine, and it’s a great chance for you to stop and smell the roses as well.