Let Your Dog Sniff: Why It’s More Than Just a Walk
Walking your dog is part of your daily routine. Rain, sun, wind, or frost—you do it because you know exercise matters. But there’s more to a walk than just physical activity.
Some dogs need long hikes across open fields, while others are happy with a shorter stroll. But all dogs benefit from sniffing, no matter their size or breed.
If you’ve ever tugged the lead and said, “Come on, let’s go,” or felt annoyed that your dog has stopped to sniff another tree, you’re not alone.
But slowing down could be the best part of your walk, for your dog and you.
All breeds need to walk
Different dogs have different energy levels.
Some examples:
- Collies are bred to work. They need space to run and tasks to focus on.
- Spaniels are active and benefit from exploring, chasing, and scent work.
- Labradors love a combination of walking, sniffing, and social interaction.
- Terriers enjoy digging and hunting games.
- Chihuahuas may be smaller but must still walk, not sit in a handbag.
Regardless of size, every dog benefits from daily movement and mental stimulation.
Knowing your dog’s breed traits can help you plan better walks.
But even high-energy dogs don’t always need to run flat-out. Sometimes, what they need is to sniff.
Sniffing is how dogs make sense of the world
Dogs use their nose far more than we use our eyes.
Their sense of smell is around 40 times stronger than ours.
When your dog sniffs a lamppost or patch of grass, they gather detailed information. They can tell:
- Which dog was there
- How recently
- Whether the dog was male or female
- If the dog was nervous or confident
- Whether they’ve met that dog before
- Even what the other dog eats or if they’re unwell
This isn’t pointless sniffing.
This is your dog learning about their world.
Sniffing is social. It’s instinctive. It’s how dogs feel grounded and informed.
What is a decompression walk?
Humans lead most walks. You pick the route, set the pace, and expect your dog to keep up.
A decompression walk flips that.
You give your dog more choices. More space. More time to sniff.
You don’t rush. You don’t nag. You follow their lead.
This doesn’t mean letting them run wild.
You still use a lead—ideally long—and stick to safe areas.
But you slow down. You give your dog freedom to explore.
This kind of walk is calming. That’s why it’s called a decompression walk.
What does a decompression walk look like?
Here’s a typical setup:
- You head to a quiet space like a park, woods, or large field
- You clip on a long line—about 5 to 10 metres
- You let your dog choose the direction
- You stop when they stop
- You move when they’re ready
You’re still in control, but you’re not rushing.
You’re giving your dog space to be a dog.
Mental stimulation is just as tiring as physical exercise
You might think, “We’ve only walked half a mile. That can’t be enough.”
But here’s the thing—sniffing uses the brain.
And brain work is tiring.
Dogs who get to sniff and explore often come home more relaxed than those who’ve been running flat out.
Sniffing reduces stress.
It helps dogs process the world around them.
It supports emotional regulation.
One sniff walk can do more for your dog’s wellbeing than a fast-paced jog with no time to pause.
How training supports sniff-led walks
Letting your dog lead doesn’t mean ignoring training.
A trained dog is easier to walk on a long line.
A few simple cues make decompression walks smoother:
- “Go sniff” – permits to explore
- “Let’s go” – signals it’s time to move on
- “This way” – gently changes direction
- Name recall – encourages check-ins
Training builds trust and communication. It makes walks safer, especially on long lines.
It also means you can give your dog freedom without losing control.
Why rushing can cause problems
Pulling your dog away from a scent might seem harmless. But if you do it all the time, your dog might:
- Become frustrated on walks
- Start pulling more to reach scents
- React more strongly to other dogs or people
- It will be harder to settle when you get home
Stopping to sniff isn’t bad behaviour.
It’s normal.
You can still teach polite walking while making space for their natural needs.
Tips for better walks
Here are a few things to try:
- Use a longer lead (5–10 metres) in safe, open spaces
- Choose quieter routes with fewer distractions
- Let your dog take the lead once in a while
- Pause at interesting spots instead of rushing past
- Watch how your dog responds—do they relax more afterwards?
Even one decompression walk a week can improve behaviour and mood.
Final thoughts
Your dog doesn’t just need to stretch their legs.
They need to stretch their mind.
Letting them sniff and lead the way sometimes helps them feel confident, calm, and understood.
It’s not lazy. It’s not spoiling them.
It’s just good dog care.
I offer one-to-one sessions if you’d like help with lead skills, recall, or planning walks that suit your dog’s needs.
Feel free to get in touch.
You might be surprised how much changes when you let the nose take the lead.