31/08/2026
🐾 Please let your dog sniff 🐾
I overheard something today that really stood out.
A lady was walking her dog off lead. Another gentleman had his dog on lead and chose to cross the road because his dog can sometimes feel uncomfortable when another dog gets too close.
The lady apologised, which was fair enough.
But then she said:
“I should have him on lead really, but I just can’t be doing with all the stopping for sniffing.”
And I get it.
Sometimes walks can feel slow. Sometimes you just want to get from A to B. Sometimes you feel like you have only moved three metres in ten minutes because your dog has found the world’s most interesting blade of grass. 😂
But sniffing matters.
To our dogs, sniffing is not them being awkward.
It is not them wasting time.
It is not them being stubborn.
Sniffing is information.
It is how dogs read the world.
While we look around and take things in with our eyes, dogs gather huge amounts of information through their nose. Who has been there, what direction they went, whether another dog was nearby, what has changed, what is interesting, what might feel safe or unsafe.
A walk without sniffing is a bit like taking someone to a museum and telling them they are not allowed to look at anything.
Yes, lead walking skills are important.
Yes, there are times when we need our dogs to move on.
Yes, dogs should be under control, especially around other dogs, people and roads.
But sniffing should be part of the walk.
For many dogs, a good sniffy walk can be calming, enriching and mentally tiring. It gives them choice. It gives them an outlet. It helps meet their needs.
And when we meet our dog’s needs better, we often get better behaviour in return.
So rather than seeing sniffing as the thing that ruins the walk, try seeing it as part of the walk.
Some parts can be for walking nicely.
Some parts can be for training.
And some parts can simply be for your dog to be a dog.
Let them sniff.
Their nose is not getting in the way of the walk.
For your dog, it is the walk. 🐶
Positive Learning that Lasts a Lifetime.