I have a question about different opinions on walking dogs and them sniffing on the walks.?

Question

Some professionals say it is perfectly natural to let your dog sniff around them while you are walking them and it does not diminish your pack leader status. Others claim that by letting them sniff is reliqueshing some pack leader status and you need to be in total control in every aspect on the walks. In your opinions, which is correct?

Answer 1

In my opinion, it is best not to let them stop and sniff at everything. Have you ever watched a pack of wolves travel? The leader does not wait while the followers stop and sniff - he walks on, expecting the others to follow - when the leader stops, THEN the pack can sniff all they want, but not until then.

Answer 2

My opinion is based off of a show I watch called 'Dog Whisperer.' Now don't tune out. It's not one of those pet psychic shows. Cesar Millan works in completely natural ways, taken directly from how a pack leader governs its pack.

When he teaches an owner how to walk a dog, at first he's usually dealing with some problem, but after that, basic dog-walking becomes apparent.

The most important thing is that the dog does not go ahead of you. That is him asserting authority, and pack leaders do not stand for it. As long as you are moving, he is following. It is only when you stop and let him sniff that he should sniff. If you were a dog yourself, the cue would be that /you/ begin sniffing, but of course it doesn't work that way. Dogs will eventually learn that when you move, they follow, and when you stop, though they must stay behind you, they are free to sniff about and relieve themselves unless you let them know otherwise.

I highly recommend watching Cesar's show on the National Geographic channel. His advice is very useful and true to the way dogs work.

Answer 3

I think it is great to let your dog sniff within 6 feet of you during a walk, without pulling on the leash. I also think they should know the heel command, for potentially dangerous situations, as little as crossing the street. They need to be under your control, and as long as that happens, 100 percent of the time, on a leash or not, your dog is good in my book. Your dog really gets more out of the walk while sniffing, and asking a dog not to sniff is like asking somebody to wear a blindfold and go see a movie.

Answer 4

When a dog stops to sniff, the dog is in tracking mode. A walk should be all about travelling mode, good forward momentum for the purpose of exercise (physical and mental). If the dog stops every few feet to sniff, it's not getting properly exercised.

That is not to say, that a dog should be denied the pleasure of sniffing, but rather as your dog's leader, you should decide when he/she may exercise that behaviour.

My dog gets ample time to sniff before and after our walks. This does help establish me as leader, yes, no doubt about it. But more then that, it helps my dog associate the walk as her job. Having a job makes her feel fulfilled. Dogs thrive with structure and I believe the most important time to implement structure is on the walk.

Answer 5

You really should'nt let them sniff things on walks.
But there are times when you need to let the dog just be a dog in my opinion.That's why I feel it's so important to take them to a dog park.They can run off-leash and sniff to their hearts content.
Puppies and older dogs newly brought into the home I think should be allowed to sniff on walks for a few weeks just so they can become accustomed to the areas around your home.I imagine it may be some comfort to them to know there are others of their kind close-by.But there needs to come a time when you take complete control on walks and make them focus on you.

Answer 6

Keep them focused on you while you're actually walking them (dragging you around by their leash is dangerous for both person and dog and letting them stroll into traffic is a very bad idea for your dog's health and your kid's college fund if you get sued because somebody totals their car) if your intention is to have them go to the bathroom, however, stop in an acceptable spot and let them sniff around.

This is the best compromise.

Answer 7

Well, in my own case, I allow my border collie to sniff on walks. We don't have a backyard, so our walks are his special exploring time. I don't discourage him from marking, either (he's a late-neutered male, formerly a stray--so he still retains some of those marking tendancies). Of course, I don't keep him to a strict 'heel' on most walks either. We keep it pretty relaxed unless we're at a road crossing or other potentially hazardous situation.

That said, I don't have any dominance problems with him. He knows the command 'keep up!' to return to our walking pace if he falls behind on the leash to investigate something. And there's no question that he sees me as Alpha.

But that's just our example. Other dogs may not benefit from such loose treatment. I'd say it depends on the individual in question.

Answer 8

let your dog sniff when you want him too. if you are focused on your walk keep him focused too. if you feel like is down time and want him to sniff, let him sniff. sometimes when he sniffs, he needs to leave a mark.

Answer 9

Let your dog sniff! It's his/her way of sight-seeing after being cooped up in your house or yard.

Answer 10

purely from a hygene point of view allowing the sniffing is bad!!! most parasites your dog can pick up are in the faeces of other dogs. From a pack leader sense-when I say heel I expect my dog to heel, no exceptions!