The Benefits of Letting Your Dog Sniff on Walks

pet wellness

The Benefits of Letting Your Dog Sniff on Walks

written by Tori Holmes

As pet parents, we often focus on getting our dogs the right amount of exercise, sticking to a walking schedule, and ensuring they behave well on a leash. However, many of us rush through walks without realizing that for our furry friends, sniffing is just as important as physical activity.

Dogs experience the world primarily through their noses, so walks are the ideal opportunity for them to explore scents and keep their mind engaged. Read on to learn more about the benefits of letting your dog sniff on walks.

Why do dogs sniff so much on walks?

A dog’s sense of smell is up to 100,000 times more sensitive than ours. While humans rely mostly on vision, dogs gather critical information about their environment through scent. When your dog stops to sniff, they’re determining who or what has passed by recently and processing pheromones from other animals.

The benefits of sniffing for dogs

When we let our dogs follow their noses on walks, we're not just indulging their curiosity. We're unlocking a world of benefits that support their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

● Provides mental stimulation: Sniffing activates a dog’s brain, helping them process complex scents and solve "scent puzzles." This mental workout can be just as tiring as a long walk or play session.

● Reduces stress and anxiety: Sniffing has a calming effect on dogs. When they engage in scent work, their brain releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical that helps lower stress.

● Slows down older dogs and helps with cognitive health: Research suggests that mental stimulation can help delay cognitive decline in aging dogs, keeping their brains sharp. Plus, slower, sniff-heavy walks are also gentler on arthritic joints, making them ideal for older pets.

● Encourages better leash manners: Dogs that are constantly rushed or corrected for sniffing may become more frustrated and pull harder. By giving them designated sniffing time, they’re more likely to walk calmly when you need them to move along.

By embracing their natural instinct to explore scents, we can provide mental enrichment, stress relief, and a deeper sense of contentment.

How to incorporate more sniffing into walks

Making walks more engaging for your dog is easy, and incorporating Freshpet treats can make sniffing sessions even more rewarding! Here are some fun ways to encourage sniffing while treating your pup to something tasty:

● Use sniff breaks as training rewards: Alternate between structured walking and sniffing sessions. When your dog walks nicely beside you, reward them with a short sniff break and allow them to explore the surrounding area on a loose leash. This reinforces good leash manners while letting them indulge their nose.

● Choose interesting routes: Mix up your walking routine by exploring parks, trails, and urban areas – each environment offers unique smells to discover. For extra engagement, occasionally let your dog lead the way to their favorite sniffing spots. These varied routes will keep their nose happily busy exploring.

● Play scent games with Freshpet treats: Hide Freshpet treats along your walking route, for instance, near trees or on low benches, and let your dog use their nose to track them down. You can also do this at home with a snuffle mat or puzzle toy if you’d prefer.

By combining sniffing with Freshpet treats, you’ll make walks more enriching for your pup. Plus, the treats’ natural ingredients mean you’re giving them a snack that’s as good for their body as sniffing is for their mind!

While it’s tempting to hurry through walks, especially on busy days, remember that sniffing is a fundamental need for dogs. By embracing sniffing as part of your dog’s walk routine, you’ll have a happier, calmer, and more fulfilled canine companion.