I have seen so many dog owners get annoyed and drag their dogs along, stopping at every post, tree, and patch of grass. It is important to remember that this is how a dog explores the world: through scent. Did you know dogs have over 220 million scent receptors in their nose?
Dogs are checking their “wee mail” and social media when they go out and sniff. Just like we do when we get up in the morning
Sniffing is one of dogs’ most natural behaviours. It helps them gather information, feel secure, and make sense of their environment. Training can help you understand and support this need while keeping your dog focused and responsive on walks.
Let’s examine why training and sniffing matter—and how they work together.
Why do dogs sniff wee?
Dog urine holds a lot of information. When your dog stops to sniff, they’re not just stalling the walk. They’re learning things like:
- The sex of the dog that passed by
- Whether they know that dog or not
- How recently were they there
- If the dog was anxious or confident
- Whether the dog is female and in season
- Clues about the other dog’s health and diet
This matters to your dog. It tells them what’s happening in the area, who’s been nearby, and whether they feel safe continuing their walk or changing directions to avoid conflict.
Just consider them getting the daily newspaper and looking at Twitter and other local social media to see what is happening in their world..
Why training is essential
Training helps your dog understand what’s expected of them. It makes daily life easier, safer, and more enjoyable for both of you.
But it’s not about rigid control.
A well-trained dog should still get to be a dog—sniffing, exploring, and expressing natural behaviours.
Training lets you say: “You can check that post, but let’s keep moving when I ask.”
Benefits of letting dogs sniff
If you rush your dog along, they can become frustrated or stressed. Giving them a few minutes to stop and sniff has tangible benefits:
- It lowers the heart rate
- It increases mental stimulation
- It supports emotional regulation
- It helps nervous dogs feel more in control
Sniffing builds confidence. It also allows you to slow down and observe your dog’s body language and focus.
You’ll learn more about their feelings and what gets their attention.
How training and sniffing work together
Here’s where it all connects.
Training helps your dog walk on a loose lead, check in with you, and respond to cues like “let’s go” or “this way.”
You can still give them time to sniff, but on your terms.
You stay in control of the walk, without denying them what they need.
What I find works well with the dogs I walk is the following. Also, by teaching them the go sniff command, you can sometimes use this as a distraction if there is something on the other side of the road that you know they will bark at
- Give your dog a few minutes of free sniffing at the start of your walk.
- Use a cue like “go sniff” to know they have permission.
- After a while, say “let’s go” and move on with purpose.
- Repeat when you reach another safe area.
This teaches your dog that sniffing isn’t off-limits—just part of a routine.
Real-life example
One dog I used to walk was a German shepherd who was described to me as awkward but awesome (love that saying) and would pull constantly on the lead, bark/lunge at inevitable distractions across the road when out on a walk.
Part of the walking plan I put in place, as well as drunk walking, changing directions, approaching in an arc rather than straight on, was to add structure as to when he could sniff and learned to walk nicely for a few minutes, then get a break to sniff.
It was also a great way to distract him when I saw something that would set him off. I would encourage him to sniff and check the socials.
Things to avoid
Don’t let your dog drag you from scent to scent. That’s not calming for either of you.
Don’t yank them away mid-sniff if you can avoid it. That can create frustration.
Instead, work on a balance. Be clear, be consistent, and reward them when they follow your lead.
Make time for training.
You don’t need to spend hours on it. A few minutes a day can make a big difference. Short training sessions prevent it from getting boring for you and your dog.
Focus on:
- Loose lead walking
- Check-ins and name response
- “Let’s go” or “this way”
- Using rewards to encourage calm behaviour
Mix it into your daily walk. Keep sessions short and positive.
Final thoughts
Letting your dog sniff wee isn’t bad behaviour. It’s normal.
It’s part of how they learn about their world.
You can support that need with proper training while still enjoying calm, connected walks.
So next time your dog pauses to sniff a post, think of it as them reading the local news.
And if you need help finding that balance, I offer one-to-one sessions focused on lead walking, recall, and building better focus.
If you’d like to book a session or chat about your dog’s needs, WhatsApp me at 077 077 6 33 44.