The Power of Sniffing

Have you ever taken your dog for a walk and found yourself standing in the same spot while they investigate one particularly interesting patch of grass?

It might not look like much is happening, but for your dog, sniffing is an important part of experiencing the world.

Dogs use their noses to gather information about their surroundings. Who has been here? What animals have passed through? Is something different today? A familiar walk can offer a completely new experience simply because the smells have changed.

Sniffing Is Enrichment

Enrichment doesn't always need to involve toys, puzzles or lots of activity. Giving your dog opportunities to use their nose is one of the simplest forms of enrichment.

This could be:

• Taking a slow, sniffy walk and letting your dog choose where they'd like to investigate.

• Scattering a few treats in the grass for them to find.

• Using a snuffle mat.

• Hiding treats around the garden.

• Introducing safe, interesting scents to explore.

• Simply giving them time to sniff somewhere new.

It doesn't have to be complicated or expensive.

Slow Walks Can Be Valuable Walks

It's easy to think a good dog walk needs to cover a certain distance, but sometimes slowing things down can offer just as much value.

Instead of encouraging your dog to keep moving, try giving them a little more time to investigate.

You might not get very far, but that's okay.

For some dogs, particularly older dogs, nervous dogs or dogs who aren't able to manage long walks, a slower sniffing walk can be a lovely way to explore without needing lots of physical exercise.

Let Them Lead With Their Nose

One of my favourite things about scent-based enrichment is that it gives dogs an element of choice.

Some dogs will enthusiastically search every corner, while others might spend several minutes investigating one spot. There's no right or wrong way to do it.

Allowing your dog to decide what they'd like to investigate can make an everyday walk or garden visit much more interesting for them.

Bring the Outdoors In

Sometimes getting out for a sniffy walk isn't possible. Your dog may be recovering from surgery, getting older, newly adopted and not yet confident enough to explore, or simply having a day when staying home is the better option.

You can still give their nose something interesting to investigate by bringing a little of the outside world indoors.

When you're out and about, think about the different scents you bring home. You could collect a few safe leaves or twigs from your garden or park, bring home a cardboard delivery box, or even offer your dog a jumper you've worn while you've been out.

You could keep a little “sniff bag” and occasionally bring home something safe and interesting for your dog to investigate.

Place one or two items down and simply let your dog choose whether they'd like to approach and sniff. There's no need to encourage them or make them interact — exploring at their own pace is part of the enrichment.

Just remember to make sure anything you bring home is dog-safe, hasn't been treated with chemicals and doesn't contain anything sharp or potentially harmful.

If your dog is recovering from surgery or has restricted activity, always follow your vet's advice.

Sniffing at Hounds Retreat

Sniffing is a big part of our days here at Hounds Retreat.

Our dogs have opportunities to enjoy slow walks around the field, explore the plants and different areas of the sensory garden, search for treats in snuffle mats and investigate our Scent Den.

But we don't expect every dog to enjoy enrichment in the same way.

One dog might love searching through a snuffle mat, another might prefer wandering around the garden, and another may simply want to stand quietly and sniff the air.

That's why we like to give dogs different opportunities and let them show us what they enjoy.

Try a Sniffy Walk

Next time you're out with your dog, try having a walk where distance isn't the goal.

Slow things down, give them a little extra time and see where their nose takes them.

You might not walk very far — but to your dog, there could be an awful lot to discover. 🐾