Did you know that you can make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise and stimulate them mentally? You can accomplish these two things at the same time. Sniff walks are a great alternative to the more formal scent training. They can be done on walks, hikes, or runs, and they provide your dog with a very fulfilling and unique experience. You may be a little surprised by how much energy your dog will be able to burn off by following their nose.

What is a sniff walk?

A sniff walk is a leisurely stroll where you allow your dog to use their powerful sense of smell to explore their environment. A regular walk focuses on training or exercise, where sniff walks encourage your dog to engage their noses and follow their natural instincts. It’s their chance to take in all the fascinating, mysterious scents around them. Allowing them to sniff their way around is more fulfilling, rewarding, and mentally stimulating than a simple walk.

Remember that we dogs “see” through our sense of smell. Sniff walks let us explore the world using our most prominent sense. As a human, you take walks that look pretty and are the most interesting to your eyes.

Sniff walks are best if done on a leash that is at least 10 feet long so that the dog has plenty of freedom to move and roam. However, make sure you have already trained your dog to recall on your command. It’s important that they can return to a “heel” position in case of an emergency.

Science and Your Dog’s Sense of Smell

Dogs have a remarkable sense of smell. They have as many as 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses. Humans only have about 6 million. That makes a dog’s sense of smell about 100,000 times stronger than a human.

A dog’s nose is designed to allow it to gather information about the world around them. Their noses allow them to analyze and process scents in great detail. In fact, the dog’s brain centers responsible for analyzing smells is larger and more complex than humans. This allows dogs to distinguish, track, and remember various scents with amazing precision.

Why do dogs need to take sniff walks?

A sniff walk is stimulating for a dog and improves their overall mental well-being. Sniffing provides them with mental stimulation and enrichment by activating their brains and engaging their senses. Think of it like solving a puzzle or reading a good book. This type of mental stimulation is especially good for senior dogs. Even though they may develop physical limitations, they still need activity and sniff walks can help keep their brain sharper as they age.

Next time you go on a walk with your dog, consider making the whole trip a sniff walk. You can also add a few minutes at the end to allow for a sniff session. Let your dog lead the way as they enjoy the world through their noses. Your dog will thank you for allowing them to engage in this instinctual behavior. You’ll both enjoy a happier, healthier companion, and build a stronger bond. Remember when you come in from your walk, take a minute
to wipe your dog off using Pawer Lab’s all natural dog wipes. It’ll remove pollen and help prevent skin irritation.

About the Author: Hazel

Hazel is the head engineer at Pawer Lab. He develops and tests the latest pup-focused inventions for Pawer Lab. He is passionate about enjoying the small things in life. The border collie’s hobbies include riding in the car, stalking the mailman, and fetching tennis balls.