Good Morning Friends!
How are all of you doing? I am doing good and it's Friday so everything is right in my world! It sure has been hot around here this week and an âExcessive Heat Warningâ was issued yesterday and expires tomorrow night, so my potty breaks have been very short which doesn't make me happy because I want to take my time and sniff around, but mama gets upset when I decide to sniff something a little longer than she would like because of the heat! Well, that prompted me to do some research on mama's computer about why we dogs need to sniff everything so she will understand my need to smell everything instead of getting upset with me like she does sometimes and here's what I found:
Why Is Your Dog So Preoccupied During Walks?
Ever try taking your dog for a walk, only to have it stop and sniff every single tree, hydrant, signpost, lamp, and anything else anchored to the ground? Itâs a situation that can quickly lead to frustration (I know this from experience) especially if it takes you 20 minutes to go just a couple of blocks!
Excessive sniffing is a trait that most dogs share because itâs an engrained part of who they are and how they communicate. For your dog, going on a walk and finding all sorts of new smells is like going on a treasure hunt and finding gold at every step of the way. The smells they are picking up on are messages left by other dogs and hints of other interesting things.
By sniffing all of the scent-marked places on your walking route, your dog can piece together a lot of information thatâs important to it, including what dogs live nearby, what types of other animals are in the neighborhood, how long ago a dog was at a certain area and much more. For your dog, these clues are part of understanding the world around it specifically their âterritory.
Sending a Message to the Neighborhood
The best way to think of scent marking is like having a pen pal. You write a letter to a friend you might not ever see in person, they read it, then write back. Through it all you form a friendship, even if you never meet in person. Itâs the same concept for your dog, only they have dozens of pen pals!
Unlike a letter to your pen pal, the messages your dog is exchanging arenât heartfelt sentiments. Instead, they are more of a status update. When your dog sniffs a tree, they are getting information that helps them understand their surroundings and when they mark that tree, they are giving other dogs information. Some examples include:
- If your dog sniffs the same tree over and over again each time you walk, they are checking to make sure the same dogs are marking it. The same smells from the same gang of pups means everything is status quo. A new smell can indicate a new dog thatâs foreign to the neighborhood!
- Sniffing spots throughout the neighborhood can help reassure a dog that their âpen palâ is still around, leaving them messages. Finding a friendâs scent throughout the neighborhood tells your dog that their buddy is still a member of the neighborhood pack. Likewise, the staler the smell, the longer itâs been since their friend made a mark.
- If your dog marks an area and comes back to find another dogâs scent there, it could develop a fixation with smelling and marking that spot. This might mean thereâs a turf war going on and your dog is continually checking to make sure it has the final word.
When you consider that there may be dozens of dogs within a few blocks of your home, itâs easy to see how fixated your dog can get when it comes to sniffing on their walk! There could be dozens of messages at every tree or lamp post, with information thatâs important to your pup as it concerns their neighborhood.
Keeping Sniffing in Check
If you are sick of your dog stopping every 10 feet to sniff around (like my mama), itâs important not to overreact. You might restrict your dog to a short leash and not let them sniff anything, but this can be cruel in a sense. Your dog just wants to know whatâs going on! Not letting them sniff would be like taking you to the movies blindfolded. The answer is a happy medium and there are a few ways to get your dog accustomed to the compromise:
- Make it a point to stop at certain landmarks on your walk. Pick a point every couple of blocks where you encourage your dog to sniff around for a minute. Over time they will come to recognize these landmarks as their territory, instead of stopping at everything.
- Use leash control to dictate how much sniffing is enough. Let the leash slack when itâs okay to sniff and tighten up the lead when itâs time to move along. Donât jerk the leash or pull your dog away, instead gently lead them away and praise them for following.
- Try to walk consistent routes. Itâs a good idea to have 3-4 routes you walk, so your dog becomes familiar with the âhot spots in the area. Instead of sniffing everything, your dog will come to learn the places where dogs commonly mark and only pay attention to those.
- Reward your dog for listening to you and teach them when sniffing is okay. For example, teach the command âleave itâ when you want them to stop sniffing and reward them with treats or praise when they do it. Likewise, you may teach them âsniffâ when itâs okay to sniff, to let them know they are in the right.
Remember, a dogâs sniffer is thousands of times more powerful than yours, even a passing scent can grab their attention in an instant if itâs out of the norm! Be patient and understanding because your dog is just trying to catch up on the neighborhood happenings. Train them on a compromise and you will be able to enjoy your walk without stopping every few steps so your dog can get the gossip.
That's all I have for you this week, I hope you all have a fantastic weekend and I will bark with you all next week and remember, adopt, don't shop!
