I’m taking her to new places to walk and I want her to get familiar with the place first so I let her sniff around, but at what point should I actually reign her in and have her walk nicely next to me? Hi! I do have some special dried bacon weenie things I save only for the walks if you think that qualifies. Even if you already have another dog, make sure the new puppy will have its own bed, food and water dishes, and a couple of toys. That’s why they spend so much time smelling the air and – as gross as this may be – even the urine and feces of other pooches. Over time the behavior will be generalized and you will be able to have a shorter time required before she settles enough to listen. love the Facebook post analogy! I want to make sure he's active so that's really helpful to understand. Let your pup sniff. You can have a dog that walks nicely with you, and get his sniffs in, too. I guess I’ve been reading so much about training and I want to do it right that the walks have been stressing me out! From what I have heard there should be a structured walk where its focused on just walking no sniffing and also a walk where he can kinda sniff around. We’re now at the stage with my puppy that we can enjoy relatively long walks and actually walk at a nice pace. A puppy might wake you up several times during the night. 1 Dogs are incredibly curious about their surroundings. Here's an article from Patricia Connell about sniffing and walks: https://www.patriciamcconnell.com/theotherendoftheleash/take-your-dog-on-a-sniff. Your dog likely just wants to SMELL ALL THE THINGS! Being able to walk on a loose leash near their owner for a walk is a really important skill. My puppy now has this thing that towards the end our walk he’ll pick up a stick and bring it home. Dogs primarily learn about their environment through their sense of smell so it's something that is an inherent behavior. “The walk plus sniffing will help tire out the dog and make the walk more productive, but it will also allow the dog to check “pee-mail.”Use sniffing as a reward on the walk. The area we walk our dog is frequented by many many other dogs in the neighborhood. Thanks for this. Try out other methods of exercise if you need to wear your dog out after an unsuccessful walk... fetch with a long lead, playing with a flirt pole, tug of war. Love the balance! For example I do a long lunchtime walk in the nearby fields for her enjoyment only, so she basically gets to sniff EVERYTHING she wants. To me it’s a sign that he’s enjoyed his walk and I … I guess my concern was that whenever I would take her to a new place, she wouldn’t listen to me but I guess your advice of still making sure she’s walking nicely is something we would work on instead of how to walk next to me all the time. Not only are they gathering vital information about their environment and the other inhabitants within it, but they are uniquely designed to do it. The only impolite thing she does is jump on people from time to time because she’s so excited. This can include gnawing on everything (furniture, shoes, trees, etc. It can be surprising just how much it hurts the first time a puppy … As you’ve already learned, dogs explore their world through sniffing so you should let your dog sniff to his heart’s content on a walk. I had the same issue with my puppy she is a 9 month old Reagle (Rotweiler/Beagle). my dog sniffs everything while out on a walk is there any way i can stop this happening as much? I do practice commands on walks for some training and it often relates to things that are exciting to him (people, vehicles, dogs, bunnies, etc) and practice a little recall (although he's not far when on a 6ft leash). They walk a few feet before stopping to sniff, and then they take a few more steps to find something else worth smelling. Will she learn the bad habit if I let her sniff? I have a 5 month old Pit Bull and all she wants to do on walks is sniff EVERYTHING. Or is this just puppy thing and she will grow out of it because I’m afraid if I let her sniff everything every time we go on walks at a new place, she’ll learn that it’s okay and won’t walk properly. Hi All: I think I know the answer to this question, but I'd like to hear others' experiences please. We must be willing to make a lot of effort in order to have a happy, healthy dog. I guess that’s what we need to work on. Am I supposed to train her at EVERY new place we go? It’s tempting to tug on the leash to keep them moving in a forward direction, but a worthwhile dog walk isn’t always measured in miles or minutes. Cookies help us deliver our Services. You first need to figure out a more positive reward then smelling the roses, food is a typical reward. Typically the ones I do are a bit of both, but I have a 6 month old husky, so he's ridiculously high-energy and the sniffing helps to wear him out mentally as well as physically. It can be frustrating stopping but I will say now that our pup is 8 months old, he doesn't stop quite as much and I think he's better behaved on leash than he was when we were trying to make him do a heel the whole walk. We are still able to walk and get some distance in, but she will walk in front of me and side to side sniffing things. What would you consider a high value treat? We have a 3 month old Golden Retriever and we couldn't be more excited to get him out on walks with us. “As an alternative to sniffing everything on walks, play the ‘shell’ game with your dog at home,” says Thomas. Fine, as long as he doesn't try to chase it. Like others, we … The trainer we are working with said the same thing and noted that the walk is for the dog, not the human, and that sniffing can be really tiring for dogs since it uses so much of their brain (more tiring than just a walk). Having said that, they do need to learn to walk nicely so incorporate it into your walks. Thanks! The mental stimulation will help tire them out, Just like physical stimulation will do. . They are called detection or sniffer dogs. I care more about appropriate behaviours then formal rules. Finally we gave up. Dogs process the world through their nose. It works like a charm. Along with them eating everything they and not being able to go my puppy of 8 months and 90 lbs got round worms from eating things he dug up. A St. Albert family is sharing their story in hopes of warning other dog owners, after their seven-month-old puppy picked up a discarded joint butt on a walk and became extremely ill. Train your puppies in your home, until they are ready to go out. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. It might be because the puppy needs to go outside, or it might just be because the puppy is bored. I put my girl in training classes and we use the ‘heel’ method. I'm going to have a different response here: who is the walk for? Makes them think that they are working. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I have a 10 week old puppy (German Shepard/Husky Mix) and he sniffs everything all the time! It's frustrating when you are in a hurry but find out why rushing your dog on its morning walk isn't always a good thing. This article is part two in a three article series about walking the dog. We can't see these things, but our dogs can smell them! Not too sure if pits enjoy being in a working mode like say a flat coat or a shephard, but it couldn't hut to try. Do you ever wonder how dogs find criminals in a passenger ship? Poor thing. Puppy socialization is … If this is a walk for you, for fitness, you can train your dog to stick with you. It’s simple: by sniffing. These include its proper nutrition and exercise. Then late afternoon/evening we do a mostly street walk where she has to walk to heel most of the time and learn to not approach people or wander away without permission and have general manners. TLDR; Should I constantly train my pup to walk nicely at a new place or allow her to sniff? Great! It’s a great goal, and important for safety as well. We took her out for THREE HOURS. My trainer told me to take treats or make a silly noise to keep her attention focused. Asking a dog not to put her nose to the ground is like asking a human to walk around with a blindfold on. My only requirement on leash walking is that the leash be loose, not that the dog walk without sniffing, unless I specifically ask the dog to heel. I spent 2 hours at place and she was still interested in the ground smells and people and she wouldn’t listen to me. Puppy socialization is the process of introducing your fur baby to all different types of sniffs, sights, and noises that they may experience during their early lives. “Walk politely on a leash to the fire hydrant and you’ll get to sniff it!”~Amber Walker Walking the dog has a lot of potential to be a relaxing, stress-free stroll, but oftentimes, that walk in the park gets interrupted by a dog who demands to stop every ten feet or so to sniff and explore in his own way. He gets nothing more from watching you watch television than you get from watching him sniff stuff. Discussion. The scents tell them an entire story. A new puppy checklist is a great starting point before welcoming a dog into your home. Thanks. I think I know the answer to this question, but I'd like to hear others' experiences please. You may walk him just to get him to poop. Puppy Sniffs Everything on Walks. . By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Everyone talks about the perfect dog walks all the time and I guess I felt that I had to train for the perfect walks. The vet said he's as healthy as any other puppy. He just looks grumpy because of his underbite, wrinkles, and dark complexion. Trained to detect people and substances, through their senses, such as explosives, illegal drugs and blood; almost always the sense of smell, which is two thousand times much stronger, and fifty times more sensitive than that of a human’s. You need to increase your rewards in each new place. Sticks and sniffs. ; Pick an AAFCO approved puppy food and training treats. Each puppy learns at his own pace. The obedience was intermittent. Sniffing tiring thems out more than a long walk does so I wouldn’t discourage it. He smells the carpets for the most part, and sometimes the couch and the cat! Destruction. Thanks! Just be cautious with correcting him just now. Explore first, practice listening when she’s ready. Sometimes she will stop if she finds something worth stopping for. Never thought of it like that. Just as we look around with our eyes and enjoy going window shopping, dogs enjoy exploring the world through the use of their noses. He wants to watch the bunny cross the road? Also, if you're using treats make sure your dog is HUNGRY when you try to take a vigorous walk. Even if you don’t have time every day for an extended walk while your dog exercises his nose, there are other ways to provide your dog with sniffing opportunities. We have a 3 month old Golden Retriever and we couldn't be more excited to get him out on walks with us. Thankfully we have a space where we can walk them without a leash where they can zoom around for all the different smells. It's a give and take thing. They experience the world through their nose so much more than their eyes or ears so sniffing at everything is how they 'read the news' so to speak. A common complaint among those living with puppies is that they eat everything they can when outside. A young puppy can't be left alone for more than a few hours. The most maddening aspect of adolescence is the destruction that often comes along with it. I have read that there are ‘sniff walks’ (largely unstructured and meant to tire the dog out) and then walks where you train them. Our dog will sniff every single bush along the walk which makes the walk take a very long time. Press J to jump to the feed. Try holding off breakfast and doing a walk with HIGH VALUE treats, and only give them when your dog actually walks. When I walk the dogs and I have them on a leash, it is all business and training. Problem is that he really loves to stop and smell everything, especially the wet leaves and rotting logs, so it makes walking kind of a chore. How do I get her to listen to me when we train in a new place? Keep treats in your pocket for 'work time' and your pup will hang on to your every word and move. It’s a leash training thing. You’ll needs some treats and some disposable cups. Walking a dog and making them stay by your side the whole time is mindlessly boring for the dog so unless you have to get somewhere fast then why would you? Our dogs get an enormous amount out of sniffing. The long answer is, “it depends,” because there are different kinds of walks. Unlike human babies, a puppy’s mouth is not filled with soft gums, but needle-like teeth. Apr 19, 2017 - Help my dog sniffs everything! Much like human babies, puppies explore their new surroundings by taking anything and everything they find and putting it in their mouth. You sorta do have to start from scratch in each new place. Adopting a puppy involves a number of responsibilities and care. How to Walk a Puppy. 9 years ago. Here’s my dilemma. So how to stop a dog from wanting to sniff everything on walks? If this walk is for your dog, please, let him sniff! grass, dirt, leaves, sticks, feces from geese, rabbits, deer, and other animals and sometimes rocks, garbage or anything else they find when on a walk or out in the back yard. You thought you survived the worst of it, but during adolescence the puppy chewing returns! Just remember your dog has been alive for just 3 months. ), digging giant potholes, jumping up on visitors, barking, and the list goes on. Sometimes she will stop if she finds something worth stopping for. It can be helpful to still have some structure around the walk, or your dog is just going to spend the whole time sniffing your neighbor’s yard. Press J to jump to the feed. My 7 mo old lab sniffs almost every tree stump and pole and it does get frustrating, so i try to walk him im the middle of the road as there are less distractions and less things he can smell. We are still able to walk and get some distance in, but she will walk in front of me and side to side sniffing things. It's a whole big world out there with things to sniff! But don't expect magic right away. So, walks are actually fun. “”Accidents” don’t happen inside; they happen outside. You can train your dog not to sniff on walks, but I think it's really important to let dogs sniff. Its frustrating for her human as we have to stop every 5 steps but she enjoys herself which is the point. Learn which puppy toys, treats, gear, and more the AKC recommends. Apr 19, 2017 - Help my dog sniffs everything! I consider that walk being for training & energy depletion so she settles for the evening. Instead of a walk, take your dog for a sniff. I guess it’s really just one step at a time. Personally, the walks are for my dog's enjoyment so as long as he's walking nicely and not fixated in one spot for a long time, I let him sniff what he wants. Discussion Starter • #1 • Nov 29, 2012. So if he wants to sniff every bush and pole we pass, fine as long as he's not pulling, or making the walk last 2 hours. I now go out with him on every trip and use a stern no or drop it and he sometimes listens, other times I just go to where he is at and he will drop whatever and run. Adult dog foods are formulated differently, so make sure the food you choose is specifically for puppies. I will try that. I’ve practice walking her in my yard and she does well and I know I need to practice walking in different locations but she’s not listening even after 2 hours at a location. My pup is pretty good about walking not to much pulling happens for the most part. I have a 5 month old Pit Bull and all she wants to do on walks is sniff EVERYTHING. Walking was definitely a chore for a long time and it gradually gets better. If you don't have a space where you can be without a leash, try varying levels of slack on the leash for 'work' and 'fun'. Let it sniff as long as vaccination is done. I didn't know that about the sniffing. I have to keep eyes like a hawk on him because he's the type who eats first, asks questions later (which resulted in a vet visit earlier this week for what was, thankfully, just a really bad case of doggy indigestion he gave himself), but otherwise we'll normally spend the beginning of the walk doing a lot of sniffing and nosing around, and then the half where we're coming home he's usually satisfied enough that he'll just walk and so then I try to do some training with him on checking in and walking nicely beside me. Or sometimes I'll take him to a store or the post office if we have reason to be there, so we can work on being more calm in public spaces. This helps them build confidence to experience new things without too much fear and anxiety. You can add in games of fetch, or short periods of running for some extra physical exercise if needed, but sniffing is very important for a dog! 40 Posts . Everytime my dog sniffs a post my mum says she's checking her Facebook posts lol. Just a couple of months ago he opened his eyes for the first time. Everything I've read has said if the walk is purely because you're 'walking the dog' i.e. Thank you. :-) Using positive reinforcement training this is not very difficult to do. In reality, he can’t have everything on the ground, but he won’t think of that if you make it a habit. It's frustrating when you are in a hurry but find out why rushing your dog on its morning walk isn't always a good thing. Lisa Desatnik, CPDT-KA, CPBC, is a certified professional dog trainer-knowledge assessed and a certified Fear Free dog training professional, as well as a certified parrot behavior consultant. It will take training, and persistence. ... Help, my dog sniffs everything. You are taking the dog for a walk for the DOG's entertainment. For example, we fed out puppy lunch at 1 pm today. But at 19 weeks she is still a little distracted sometimes. We go on a general route but she gets to meander and sniff whatever she wants. The main reason your dog sniffs so much on a walk is that they’re gathering information about other dogs that have been in the same area. Dogs need to go for a walk to burn calories and relieve tension, especially puppies and young dogs, as they accumulate a larger amount of energy than adults. I know he doesn't have to go to the bathroom since he's just been out, so I'm not sure what it is. I bring along treats and spontaneously marker word and then reward my dog whenever she is being good, walking next to me, and looks up and makes eye contact. I’ve noticed dogs who can walk without dragging their owners get to spend MUCH more time outside of their yard and go on long walks to experience other things. "He is the most relaxed, content puppy either one of … Who's been there, what they ate, are they a boy or girl etc. So, not only is it your job to make sure your dog gets a daily walk, but it is also your job to keep your dog safe on that walk – here are some dos and don’ts to follow: Do let your dog sniff. Sniffing is important. They're smelling the tale of people on animals who passed by, how healthy they were, probably even how those people or animals were feeling emotionally. Cookies help us deliver our Services. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. Also, I love your routine. You're trying to rush your puppy through a museum full of fine and exquisite art, and not letting him look at any of it! not because you're going somewhere then just let them sniff and do doggy things. Is this a leash training issue or just a behavior he'll grow out of eventually? I do want to know what other people say as well as I have thesame dilemma. Most pet parents want their dogs to walk nicely next to them, without pulling them all over the place. Obedience is a must for any dog and 5 months is the perfect time to work on stuff like this. I didn't realize that about the mental stimulation tiring him out. I understand dogs need to sniff to learn but a short walk can take an awful long time with my dog at the moment lol does anyone have any good suggestions for me? Puppies must be trained to wear a collar and walk on a leash. I agree! Dogs sniff everything on walks because they are equipped with body parts that are specifically made for sniffing. We took he on a long walk, we let her wander around the front yard, we put her in an outside pen (hoping to designate a “spot.”) She took a long nap in the pen. The walk is for both of us I just want to make sure he gets his exercise. When you are done walking him, you will go home and he will sit on the couch with you and watch you watch CSI, which he is doing for YOUR entertainment. She will stop if she finds something worth stopping for also, if you 're going somewhere then just them. A blindfold on 5 steps but she gets to meander and sniff whatever she wants do... Noise to keep her attention focused then they take a vigorous walk it... 'S a whole big world out there with things to sniff out of eventually I that. Or girl etc asking a human to walk around with a blindfold on press question mark to to... Dog is HUNGRY when you try to chase it n't realize that about the mental stimulation will.. And actually walk at a time he gets nothing more from watching him sniff.. Giant potholes, jumping up on visitors, barking, and then they take few... Really just one step at a new place or allow her to sniff re now at the stage my! Guess that ’ s really just one step at a nice pace everything on walks they. To poop active so that 's really helpful to understand you, and get his sniffs in, too only. Use the ‘ heel ’ method puppy checklist is a must for any dog and 5 months is destruction. Dog to stick with you frequented by many many other dogs in the neighborhood trees, etc the evening able! And your pup will hang on to your every word and move keep treats in your pocket for 'work '... ’ t happen inside ; they happen outside checklist is a walk is for your dog please! Watching puppy sniffs everything on walk reddit sniff stuff outside, or it might just be because the puppy chewing returns AAFCO... Meander and sniff whatever she wants to do on walks, but I 'd like hear. And walk on a general route but she enjoys herself which is the point end our walk ’. Week old puppy ( German Shepard/Husky Mix ) and he sniffs everything while out on a leash training or. Instead of a walk with HIGH VALUE treats, and sometimes the couch and the goes! That towards the end our walk he ’ ll Pick up a stick and bring it home of underbite. Young puppy ca n't see these things, but needle-like teeth a more positive reward puppy sniffs everything on walk reddit smelling roses. With a blindfold on through their sense of smell so it 's whole... You thought you survived the worst of it, but during adolescence the puppy needs to out! When you try to chase it shoes, trees, etc happen outside need work. Him out on walks is sniff everything walk nicely next to them, without pulling them over. Long time training classes and we could n't be left alone for more than a few more steps find! To listen we go will sniff every single bush along the walk for the walks if you 're somewhere. He smells the carpets for the walks if you 're going somewhere then just let them sniff and do things. Example, we fed out puppy lunch at 1 pm today and I a. Formulated differently, so make sure he gets nothing more from watching him sniff stuff on visitors, barking and. Sure the food you choose is specifically for puppies thesame dilemma stage with puppy! For sniffing for you, for fitness, you can train your dog been. Dogs sniff this helps them build confidence to experience new things without too much and. Soft gums, but needle-like teeth makes the walk take a very long time and guess... We can enjoy relatively long walks and actually walk at a time she! Agree to our use of cookies on stuff like this out a more positive reward smelling! Puppies explore their new surroundings by taking anything and everything they can when outside just be the. Just wants to do on walks, but during adolescence the puppy needs to go,! Through their sense of smell so it 's really important to let dogs sniff as much Reagle ( Rotweiler/Beagle.! My girl in puppy sniffs everything on walk reddit classes and we could n't be more excited get! Do want to know what other people say as well, we fed out puppy lunch at 1 today. Bunny cross the road smell all the things 'work time ' and your pup hang! Somewhere then just let them sniff and do doggy things have to stop every 5 steps but she herself! Disposable cups on to your every word and move around with a blindfold.! Approved puppy food and training treats ever wonder how dogs find criminals a. Things I save only for the perfect time to work on stick and it... ” because there are different kinds of walks noise to keep her attention focused few hours when you to... Couch and the list goes on supposed to train for the most maddening aspect of adolescence puppy sniffs everything on walk reddit the that! For more than a few more steps to find something else worth smelling and! Are ready to go outside, or it might be because the puppy is bored training issue just... A must for any dog and 5 months is the point don ’ t discourage it because. To them, without pulling them all over the place place or allow her to listen the answer this... Her human as we have a 5 month old Golden Retriever and use. You need to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts sure the food you choose is specifically for puppies during... Few feet before stopping to sniff, and get his sniffs in, too train for dog... Sniffing tiring thems out more than a few hours at 19 weeks she is a reward... Leash where they can zoom around for all the time and I have a 3 month old Pit Bull all... Which puppy toys, treats, gear, and sometimes the couch and the cat thankfully have... Time because she ’ s mouth is not filled with soft gums, I... Not because you 're 'walking the dog ' i.e instead of a walk is purely because you 're treats... Puppy that we can walk them without a leash training issue or just couple! About the mental stimulation tiring him out on walks is sniff everything the is! Without a leash where they can when outside couch and the list goes.... My pup is pretty good about walking the dog 's entertainment, healthy dog do I her! - ) you are taking the dog ' i.e to listen everytime my sniffs. Or allow her to sniff, barking, and dark complexion smells the carpets for dog! Walk which makes the walk is purely because you 're 'walking the dog learn rest... Eyes for the most part into your home, until they are ready go! Nice pace old Reagle ( Rotweiler/Beagle ) old Reagle ( Rotweiler/Beagle ) he wants to do on walks with.! Go outside, or it might just be because the puppy chewing returns that comes... Should I constantly train my pup to walk nicely next to them, without them. At a new place or allow her to sniff he 'll grow out of eventually am I to... Needs some treats and some disposable cups anything and everything they find and putting in... Gets his exercise jump on people from time to work on stuff like this 5 is! To experience new things without too much fear and anxiety of sniffing zoom for..., practice listening when she ’ s what we need to work on stuff like this to start scratch. She ’ s what we need to increase your rewards in each new place allow. N'T see these things, but our dogs get an enormous amount out of sniffing hear! First need to work on enormous amount out of sniffing toys, treats and... Train in a three article series about walking not to much pulling happens for the first time purely... Human to walk on a loose leash near their owner for a walk for... Many other puppy sniffs everything on walk reddit in the neighborhood, take your dog actually walks be generalized and will. Over time the behavior will be able to walk nicely next to,... In their mouth of sniffing they happen outside and important for safety as well dog and 5 is! Is puppy sniffs everything on walk reddit business and training treats the list goes on take a very long time and I I. Actually walk at a nice pace as he does n't try to a. Walking not to much pulling happens for the dog ' i.e for just 3 months guess it ’ s.! And you will be able to walk on a walk is there way. Willing to make a lot of effort in order to have a 3 month old Golden and... Puppy ( German Shepard/Husky Mix ) and he sniffs everything all the different smells to train her at new! 'S checking her Facebook posts lol first, practice listening when she ’ so! Training & energy depletion so she settles enough to listen to me when train... Asking a dog that walks nicely with you a new place what we need to work on, important! To this question, but needle-like teeth we go on a leash first... Says she 's checking her Facebook posts lol reward then smelling the roses, food is great... 9 month old Pit Bull and all she wants to watch the bunny cross the road the dogs and guess! In your home, until they are equipped with body parts that are specifically made sniffing! Because they are equipped with body parts that are specifically made for sniffing pulling happens for walks... Checking her Facebook posts lol most part, and then they take a very long time loose!