Benefits of Letting Them Sniff!
I like to tell my clients that dogs see their world best through their nose. Their ability to locate and identify scents has been used in sports, rescue work, and even service dog work for things like detecting a seizure before it happens. Some dog breeds have 100 million or more scent receptors- compared to our 5-6 million scent receptors. That is an incredible difference!
When smelling where another dog peed, they can gather information on them such as the sex, reproductive cycle, health, diet, mental state and much more!
Dogs are truly incredible - and allowing them opportunities to sniff can provide benefits for the both of you!
Mental Stimulation:
Giving dogs the chance to sniff more on walks provides them with much needed mental stimulation. This enrichment can help prevent boredom that results in destructive behaviors and can also help improve their mood. This help your dog be much calmer and relaxed.
Confidence:
Letting your dog explore their surroundings and sniff around can also help build their confidence. This is especially important for dogs that are anxious or fearful in new environments.
Mental Health:
Sniffing can help reduce stress and anxiety, which can improve their overall mental health. If you have a dog who tends to be hyperactive or nervous on walks, try slowing down and letting them sniff more. Sniffing can release feel-good chemicals that can help balance your dog’s mood.
Too often I see dogs being pulled away from scents to “get on with the walk”- but for our dogs, the sniffing is the best part! Experiencing all the smells is like seeing a rainbow for them. You don’t have to let your dog sniff every bush, but if you can- slow down and let him smell the roses.
