Did you know that dogs have about 300 million olfactory receptors in their nose? Pretty much all dogs LOVE sniffing, and they gather so much information through their noses about their environment. So when you’re walking them down the street, try to imagine all of the different smells and pieces of information they’re picking up.
In addition to being extremely useful for gathering information, sniffing also has a lot of benefits for your dog! It can sometimes be relaxing for them (depending on what they’re sniffing), and it can provide them with mental fulfillment even more so than physical exercise can!
What is a Sniffari?
One really fun way to incorporate more sniffing into your dog’s daily life is to take them on a Sniffari! A Sniffari is basically a walk but instead of distance and pace you’re focused on allowing your dog to sniff. When you take your dog on a Sniffari, it is best to use as long of a leash as possible attached to a harness, and choose a spot that has space for your dog to safely explore and sniff.
Allow your dog to explore and sniff at their own pace and follow them along, you’ll probably notice that you don’t go in a straight line. Walking in a straight line and taking very little time to sniff and explore the environment is more typical of a traditional walk done for exercise.
Sniffing is Tiring
Something you may notice is that a Sniffari really tires your dog out. Sorting through all of the different smells is a pretty big workout for their brain, and even though they didn’t run or play during their Sniffari, they’ll likely be ready for some downtime afterwards. If you find that your dog still has energy left after a Sniffari, you can always combine an exercise walk with a Sniffari together. One way to do that is to do your exercise walk to and from your Sniffari location.
Slow down Mealtime
If you’d like to enhance your dog’s Sniffari experience, one way to do this is to sprinkle treats or your dog’s meal on the ground in the environment that your dog is sniffing. Sprinkling treats on the ground and in grassy places allows your dog to forage around and use their senses even more than just a regular Sniffari as they try to locate the treats. It’s also helps slow down dogs who are fast eaters.
Provide Choice for Increased Confidence
A last important tip for Sniffaris is to remember that this is your dog’s time. Unless necessary, try to avoid telling your dog which direction to go, or ask for any behaviors from them. Instead, take the time to relax with your dog and follow them around as they engage with their environment! This not only allows your dog to burn mental energy, but it also provides your dog with choice. Dogs don’t have a lot of choice in their lives- they eat what we give them, chew what we tell them, relieve themselves where we tell them..that can limit their options! Giving them an opportunity to explore different options helps boost confidence and provides a fun, fulfilling activity for your pup.
Want more ideas for scent enrichment similar to sniffaris? Doggo Insurance has a value-added benefit of certified professional dog trainers who can text or video call to train throughout the week!