When was the last time you took your dog on an enrichment walk? I’m talking about a slower-paced stroll where your dog isn’t constantly held in the heel position. Instead, they’re given both space and time to explore, sniff around, check the pee-mail, and just be a dog. These are perhaps the most satisfying walks for our dogs but, unfortunately, they’re a type of outing many pet parents overlook. While it’s pretty obvious dog walks are great for physical exercise, did you know these slower-paced “enrichment walks” (AKA “sniff walks”) are also mentally enriching for our canine companions?
@prouddogmomblog Enrichment dog walks filled with sniffing are the best 🐶 #dogenrichment #dogmentalenrichment #sniffingdog ♬ Storytelling – Adriel
Stimulates Their Mind
Dogs have powerful sniffers. In fact, the canine nose can be anywhere from 10,000-100,000 times more sensitive than a human nose. Get this: In a TedTalk by New York Times Best Selling Author and Cognitive Animal Behaviorist/Scientist Alexandra Horowitz, she shares, “Landmarks like fire hydrants and trees are aromatic bulletin boards carrying messages of whose been by, what they’ve been eating, and how they’re feeling.” Check out her video below for some impressive info about a dog’s sense of smell! By sniffing, dogs are able to gather a vast amount of information about their environment. Having the time to sniff, learn, and process that information helps to keep our dogs’ minds active and engaged.
Relieves Stress & Boosts Mood
Sniffing is a calming activity for dogs, as it releases a number of feel-good hormones. When your dog gets the opportunity to sniff, endorphins, which are natural painkillers that help to reduce stress and anxiety, begin pumping. Additionally, their brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate the brain’s reward and pleasure centers. These hormones work together to provide dogs with an overall calm feeling, which can help to lower stress and anxiety.
It’s Fun!
Dogs are naturally curious creatures and they love to explore their surroundings. By giving your dog time to sniff, you are satisfying their natural curiosity and enhancing their quality of life.
Tires Them Out
Have you ever had to write a long research paper? After hours of reading, writing, editing, and more writing, you probably closed your computer mentally drained. And perhaps you took a nap after! Well, just like mental activity can leave us tired, it can do the same for our pups. After just 15-30 minutes of mental stimulation, your dog will likely feel a bit fatigued, causing them to feel more relaxed and calm. And you know what they say: A tired dog is a good dog, as they’re less likely to engage in destructive or mischievous behaviors.
Other Activities That Promote Sniffing
Along with sniff walks, let your pup play with puzzles! There are a variety of dog puzzles and snuffle mats on the market. They each require slightly different problem-solving skills and offer various challenge levels. But they all have one thing in common — you hide treats somewhere in the puzzle and your dog has to sniff for them and figure out how to retrieve the tasty reward. See a list of our favorite puzzles HERE!
