Forget the steps! Follow the nose.

Why your dogs walk is much more than exercise

A dogs nose is one of their most important ways of exploring and understanding the world around them.

Sniffing on their walk is their version of reading the news or scrolling on their social media (but in a much healthier way!).

Dogs experience much of the world through scent. Giving them time to sniff can work their brains and provide more enrichment than expensive toys and games that once your dog has worked it out…. Well it’s basically free treats whilst allowing them to engage in completely natural dog behaviour.

• Sniffing gives their brain something to do

• It lets them investigate their environment

• It can help turn an ordinary route into a much richer experience

• And it means a good walk doesn’t always have to mean walking for miles

For our rescue dogs in particular, we love giving them opportunities to experience the world at their own pace without every walk being about getting from A to B. So next time your dog becomes completely obsessed with sniffing what seems to be the same patch of grass…Give them a minute to sniff.

There’s probably some very important dog news you don’t know about.