How Much Should I let my Dog Sniff on Walks?

It’s up to you, just make an informed decision.

Clarity is important. Does your dog have a clear understanding of when they are allowed to sniff and when they need to walk by your side? 

Consistency is important. Don’t let your dog pull you somewhere to sniff and then later expect them to yield to pressure when they are pulling. 

Timing is important. Sniffing can be a reward for good behavior and it can be a way to help a dog decompress. When you allow them to sniff plays a big role in how effective sniffing is as a reward and means of decompression. 

For many dogs sniffing leads to marking. Dogs mark as a means of communication and expression. It is not always a territorial, dominant, or bad thing. Knowing when to allow reactive and fearful dogs to sniff and mark around other dogs can be a big part of helping them access a healthier state of mind around other dogs.

I personally find letting your dog sniff every time they want to and not letting your dog sniff at all to be two extremes that are rarely helpful for the dog and human’s relationship. 

If you are having a hard time figuring out a balance between sniffing and walking find a trainer to help you out ASAP. What many dog owners don’t realize is that a lack of clarity just builds stress and frustration. This is especially true in stimulating situations like taking your dog for a walk. For many dogs who struggle with leash reactivity it is less about the triggers that cause them to explode than most people think. It is more so a side effect from the hundreds of walks that lacked clear rules, clear communication, and clear expectations that turned the dog into a ball of frustration and stress each walk. If the dog defaults to frustrated and stressed each walk it is a lot harder for them to have emotional regulation and make good decisions when they encounter stimulating situations. If the dog and human are constantly disagreeing and having conflict over when the dog can and can’t sniff then why would the dog cooperate with the human when there is an even bigger motivator like another dog, person, or prey animal?