24/06/2025
š¾ Let Them Sniff: Why Slow Walks Are Better Walks
Too often, dog walks become fast-paced power marchesābut for our dogs, thatās not what walking is really about.
š” Science tells us that sniffing isnāt just a fun activityāitās essential for canine wellbeing.
Hereās why slowing down and letting your dog sniff matters:
š¬ 1. Sniffing reduces stress.
Studies (Horowitz, 2016; McGreevy et al., 2017) show that scent work and olfactory engagement lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation.
Sniffing = self-soothing.
š§ 2. Itās mental enrichment.
Sniffing activates over 200 million scent receptors. Itās how dogs gather information, solve problems, and stay mentally stimulatedājust like reading the news.
šāš¦ŗ 3. It builds confidence.
When dogs are allowed to explore at their own pace, they become more confident and less reactive. Giving choice during walks helps dogs feel more secure.
š 4. Itās their way of communicating.
Sniffing tells your dog whoās been there, what they were feeling, and even what they ate. Denying this is like turning off their access to the world.
š 5. Constant heel walking isnāt natural.
While leash manners are important, expecting a dog to walk perfectly at heel without sniffing removes one of the main reasons they enjoy walks at all.
ā”ļø So slow down. Let your dog sniff. Give them choices.
Itās not a walk for cardioāitās a walk for connection.
