WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO LET YOUR DOG SNIFF THEIR ENVIRONMENT OUT ON WALKS

If you are a dog owner, you are all too familiar with this scene: your dog stops you while you are out for a walk to sniff at something. It may irritate people who are rushing, but your dog's tendency to become easily distracted is important for their health. Sniffing keeps your dog content and alert in addition to teaching them about their surroundings. Dogs have a far stronger sense of smell than humans do. Up to 300 million scent receptors can be found in a dog's nose, which is an astounding fifty times more than the six million found in humans. Furthermore, we only sniff once every 1.5 seconds, whereas dogs sniff five to ten times per second.

Dogs must take their time sniffing around because their noses are the main means by which they explore their surroundings. Imagine being blindfolded after being brought to an art gallery. It wouldn't accomplish much, would it?

That must be the case for dogs who are hurried on walks without having time to pause and sniff," Staci Lemke, a veterinary technician and professional dog trainer, tells the American Kennel Club. She suggests "sniff-centric walks" as a way for dogs to absorb and process information about their environment. 

There are some advantages to making smell the primary focus of a walk rather than physical activity or bathroom breaks. As they work hard to process the information they've gathered, it's excellent for stimulating their minds and preventing boredom. In actuality, this will exhaust them more than a walk during which they sniff less. Additionally, dogs learn a lot through smell, so when they sniff, they are getting information about their surroundings. They will experience a sense of fulfilment and relaxation as their curiosity is sated by exploring everything through smell. 

For city dogs without yards and nervous puppies who might benefit from ensuring a safe environment, sniff walks are especially crucial. Lemke views a "sniff-centric walk" as a peaceful way for dogs to relax because pets are typically confined to their owners' time and space. Allowing your pet to set the pace may cause their brains to release dopamine, which improves mood. "We can significantly lessen the amount of stress in these dogs' lives if we can find a safe place where they can let their guard down and explore with their noses," Lemke says.

Even though a sniff-loving dog does not have to lead every walk, they can still benefit immensely from it. If you and your canine companion decide to try it, Lemke suggests outfitting them with a harness and long line (instead of a retractable leash) and seeking out an area with plenty of grass, trees, and bushes to attract their attention. The most crucial thing is to remember for whom the walk is intended and to exercise patience as your pet explores the area. They interpret the world in this way, after all, and by allowing them to sniff, you are genuinely allowing your dog to be a dog.