Sniff walk
A slow walk where your dog chooses the direction and the pace and gets to sniff as long as they like. Twenty to thirty minutes can tire a dog as much as a longer, faster walk.
What you need
- Harness and long leash (10–15 ft) — optional
How to do it
- Put your dog in a well-fitting harness. A long leash (10 to 15 feet) gives them room to explore; a normal leash works too.
- Go somewhere quiet and safe with grass, trees and bushes, rather than a busy street.
- Let your dog lead. Follow where they want to go, stop when they stop to sniff, and don't hurry them on.
- Forget about distance. A sniff walk can cover very little ground and still be a full workout for the nose.
- Keep it to 20–30 minutes and walk home calmly.
⚠️ Safety
Supervision: Stay with your pet the whole time.
Keep your dog out of harm's way: be ready to shorten a long leash near roads, people, other dogs and anything they shouldn't eat. A harness avoids pressure on the neck. A sniff walk adds mental exercise but does not replace the physical exercise your dog needs for their age, breed and health.
👀 What to watch for
Relaxed sniffing looks soft and loose. Frantic, tense sniffing can be a sign of stress: move somewhere quieter or head home.
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