It’s a familiar scenario for many dog parents: you head out for a walk, ready to stretch your legs and get your pup some exercise, but your furry friend has other plans. Their nose hits the ground, and suddenly, every lamppost, blade of grass, and pebble becomes a captivating mystery. This was exactly the delightful dilemma one owner faced with their 9-year-old pup, Tallulah, who, despite her graying muzzle, still approached every walk with the boundless energy of a one-year-old and an insatiable love for sniffing.
The owner, wanting to ensure Tallulah got both her mental stimulation and physical activity, wondered how to introduce the concept of “sniff walks” (or “Sniffaris” as some call them) alongside “exercise walks.” The internet, as it often does, affirmed their instincts: letting dogs sniff is incredibly enriching and mentally tiring. But how do you balance that with getting those important steps in? The community chimed in with a wealth of relatable insights and practical advice on navigating this common aspect of dog behavior.
Understanding Different Walk Types
Navigating the world of sniffing walks and exercise walks for your dog requires clear communication and clever strategies. Here’s how you can differentiate between these valuable outdoor adventures to provide optimal dog enrichment.
The Power of Words: Different Cues for Different Adventures
One of the most popular and straightforward solutions involved using distinct verbal cues. As one person, whose advice resonated with many, put it: “If I want my dog in heel, I tell him, ‘With me.’ If I don’t care what he does as long as he’s not pulling me flat, I use his release word and then tell him, ‘Let’s walk.’ If we’re going into sniffari mode, I tell him, ‘Go sniff.'” This approach gives your dog clear expectations, letting them know when it’s time for focused movement and when it’s their time to really explore with their nose. It’s all about teaching them what their “job” is in that moment, a key part of effective dog training.
Gear Up for Different Missions
Another highly recommended strategy involves using different equipment to signal the type of walk. Imagine a service dog knowing when they’re “on duty” versus “off duty” just by their gear – you can apply that same principle to your regular walks. Many suggested: “a harness is for sniff walks and a flat collar is for working walks.” The idea is that your dog quickly associates a specific collar or harness with a particular activity. You could even use different leashes – a shorter one for a brisk pace and a long line for those meandering “Sniffaris” where they can really roam. It’s a subtle but powerful way to communicate.
Blending Both Worlds: Sniffing and Striding
While dedicated sniff walks and exercise walks are great, many owners found success in a hybrid approach. Some suggested allowing for initial sniffing, then transitioning to a more structured walk. “My boy is 8 years old,” one person shared, “We let him do all the sniffing he wants, but we still walk at least a half mile. I feel like you can do both at the same time, it just might be a little slower… lol.” It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes, it’s okay for things to be a bit slower. Other creative solutions included taking sniffing breaks during a longer walk or even designating specific corners or landmarks as “switch points” from “check it out” to “cardio.” The key is flexibility and finding what works for you and your dog’s unique dog behavior.
Special Considerations for Senior Pups
Honoring the Golden Years: Let Them Sniff!
Given Tallulah’s nine years, several comments offered a wonderfully empathetic perspective: “Their lives are too short. I decided at the beginning that each walk… would be as close to an hour as I could and I would largely let her go in any direction she wanted…” And a concise, heartfelt plea: “At 9 years old, just let your dog sniff to their heart’s content.” This highlights a beautiful truth – sometimes, the greatest gift we can give our older companions is the pure joy of following their nose, regardless of our step count. If the goal is overall exercise, perhaps supplementing with active games like fetch in the yard, or even scattering their kibble in the grass for a “sniffing meal,” can balance out leisurely walks.
Ultimately, figuring out how to balance these two types of walks comes down to clear communication, consistency, and a deep understanding of your own dog’s behavior and needs. Whether you opt for distinct verbal cues, different gear, a blended approach, or simply lean into the joy of a good long sniff, the goal is always a happy, healthy, and enriched pup.