Sniffity McSniffalot

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

In the past couple of weeks SophieBear has developed the most annoying habbit of sniffing her way through our walks. It is so frustrating getting her to move because she stops and sniffs vigorously every few feet and resists when I try to tug her along. I am constantly coaxing her to move. What's going on?

 

She just turned 6 months so I'm wondering if age has something to do with her sense of smell... I'm not sure I should let her do this since I don't always know what gross things are on the ground. Maybe my little sniffmeister is tracking her doggie friends or something... 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Have you started any loose leash walking or heel training yet?  I do think my guys would be exactly the same way if I let them.  I guess it's all about what you're looking for in terms of your walks with Sophie.  When I'm walking with Guinness and Murph they are not allowed to sniff until the end of our walk when I release them and that's their "smelling time".  Both of them are real "nose dogs", so it took us a while to get them to the point where they were focused just on the walk, but I do find it much easier now.  I don't feel like they're deprived because "sniff time" is always their reward for doing a great job on their walks.  This is just my approach - I'm not sure if you're even looking for this kind of structure, but it seems to work well with my guys.

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

Lola is a very active sniffer. If I let her have her way, a 15min walk would end up being a 2 hour long walk with all the stops and sniffing she'd have to do!

[Frannie & Callie]

I frequently remind Callie that we're on a "walk" not a "sniff".

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

I had been working with her on loose leash and heel using some techniques we learned at puppy kindergarten, but contrary to the advice of the trainer, I got the easy walk harness, (which I know is the lazy way), she walks so well on it I've sort of slacked off with the training. She just started the sniffing in the last couple of weeks, so I was curious if her sense of smell has increased or something. I'm planning on starting her in beginner obedience in the next month or so, so I guess this will help.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Chloe does this and she's 4 (I don't let her but DH does) She does this very intently if another dog had just walked through there. I just try to let her do both potties and then no more grass! Then they find stuff on the sidewalks to grab! UGH!

[Adina P]

The nose is an important tool for a dog...it's PURE JOY to smell things and gain information that way--just like you would surf the web, or watch interesting sights, or read a book or have a conversation...it's how they get tons of info about who has been there, what stuff is, etc.

 

Nevertheless, it's NO fun when the dog's nose rules walks.  Sniffing time is a reward I give my dogs AFTER working.  I'm pretty strict about outings and early on and we don't really go on 'walks' but instead work on obedience in parks and such.  So the dog gets to 'walk' but it's all heeling with sits, downs, stays, recalls interspersed between heeling patterns.  Then at the end there's sniffing, relaxation time.  If we are on a casual walk and one of my dogs stops to sniff, I keep walking, I don't stop and tug.  I KNOW you weigh more than your dog (I think all of us do :-)) so there's no way he'll hang back with your momentum going forward.  Just hold on to the leash, place your leash hand tight against your belly and keep walking and he'll join you eventually =)

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Interesting.  My trainer said to just wait for them.  Bexter loves to stop & sniff.  I used to pull the leash, but my trainer says never to pull it.  So, is that wrong advice?

[Adina P]

It just totally depends on what you want/your goals for training and walks.  So not 'wrong' just different.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Funny, my trainer gave me exactly the same advice as Adina did. Hold the leash close to your belly, and 'motor' she used to say. Just keep walking, and the doodle will have to follow. I will have to remember to do that from now on, unless I feel like a leisurly stroll.

[Adina P]

Great minds... ;)

I would give some kind of command, if not all walks will have the same expectation.

[Connie & Bocelli]

Yes, this is frustrating for me too.  Bo is almost 16 wks old and since he's not 'allowed' to take long walks yet, our 15 minute walks could easily turn into 30 minute walks.  I walk him with the 'Walk Your Dog With Love' harness, which I love, love, love, and I have gotten really strict about him sniffing while we are walking.  I want him to walk for fun and exercise.  And since I live in a townhouse development, he has LOTS of different things to sniff when we get done with our walks.  As a matter of fact, getting this boy to poop is a major deal since there are so many different people and animal smells in my backyard where he does his 'business'.