Patience

[Joy]

I don't quite know why this has suddenly come to mind because it must have happened 5 years or so ago. Molly was on lead and stopped to sniff (just grass, nothing nasty), she didn't respond to my 'come on' or to me offering a treat as a lure so I pulled the lead. The person with me told me not to pull but to wait, let her sniff and count in my head. I'd barely got to 30 before Molly looked up, wagged and was ready to walk on with me. My friend said, 'There, what's half a minute to give her out of your life?' and I thought they're absolutely right.
Since then I've thought more about how stopping a dog from sniffing is like telling us we can't stop to admire the view. So now when Molly stops to sniff I look around and enjoy the view.

 

[Candy]

Yes, I have also thought that stopping a dog from sniffing is like us not being allowed to admire the view. I do like the counting idea though, sometimes when it's particularly wet and windy I can be guilty of hurrying GGJ on, and I suspect that I would find that she doesn't actually stop for very long!

 

[Anne123]

Hmmm, tried this….Finn takes his time sniffing….If I don’t call him I will be waiting for him the whole morning and afternoon….

 

[HAH]

I love your story @Joy - this has been one of the greatest benefits of slowing down with Kipper. Now our walks are mainly led by him at his pace, lots of sniffing and minimal rushing. It has helped us understand far better what a rich, full world they inhabit with smells, that we can only glimpse (unless it’s something really pungent!).

 

[edzbird]

I love this. Because Meg is such a difficult girl, he walks are managed and boring toddles along the road. I let her lead the pace and let her sniff to her heart's content. I hope this makes her walks that much more interesting for her.

 

[Selina27]

Yes totally get this @Joy, if people come for a walk with me and Cass I often find, if it is necessary for Cass to be on a lead, that they have strode on ahead talking to themselves while Cass is absorbed in a sniff!
It's why I find using a harness in those situations good because it frees her up to investigate a bit more.

 

[Stacia]

I always let Rourke sniff, in fact I tell him 'have a sniff'.

 

[SteffiS]

I try to let Toffee sniff, distracting him is very difficult anyway as he completely switches off from everything but the 'sniff'.

With Ripple you have to be very much on your toes, a sniff by him is normally rapidly followed by the consumption of something disgusting .

 

[kateincornwall]

Both of ours are sniffers , I love it because I can usually find a convenient tree stump to sit on and have a breather . I wouldnt dream of rushing them along , its their walk as well as mine xx

 

[Cath]

My two love a good sniff on their morning walk

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

A good sniff is key. Brogan was very slow as an oldster and he taught me how to appreciate the scenery. Except with Carbon I can't watch the scenery because I have to watch him so that he only licks the cobblestones that have been weed on and doesn't try to dig out the imaginary pieces of "food" between them.

My dog is disgusting.




But I love him.

 

[Atemas]

During the last year of Sky’s life, sniffing was her main pleasure as arthritis robbed her of her long walks. I used to say to her ‘let’s go for a sniff’ instead of a walk. She loved it. The pace of life slowed when I took her out.

Red is an avid sniffer and she is indulged regularly on walks. At times though we have to move her on or we’d be on an eternal walk . I am however very mindful that it gives her as much pleasure as it does me looking at what’s around me

 

[MrChew]

Chewie absolutely NEEDs to stop and sniff every two metres. I try to use it as a "mindful moment" to stop and be present. But also to watch for signs that he is about to eat something gross. It's a balancing act.

 

[Emily]

It really depends on the purpose of our walk. Sometimes we might be popping to the shops or walking Nathan to school or taking the kids out on their scooters. These walks are less sniffy and more purposeful.

Then there are "Ella Walks" where she can sniff and play and sometimes roll in fox poo

 

[Lab_adore]

Sometimes I reckon I could be standing there with a roast leg of lamb fresh out of the oven and the sniff would still take priority

 

[MrChew]

It really depends on the purpose of our walk. Sometimes we might be popping to the shops or walking Nathan to school or taking the kids out on their scooters. These walks are less sniffy and more purposeful.

Then there are "Ella Walks" where she can sniff and play and sometimes roll in fox poo

The thought of walking to school with both kids... it would take several hours, even if we are talking about Rowan's future big school, which is about 900m away.

 

[Granca]

According to an article in the newspaper a while ago, sniffing time is far more important than length of walk for dogs. I was trying to hang on to that thought this morning at 5.50am when Wispa wanted to be let out in the garden. I’m sure she sniffed every individual blade of grass…

 

[UncleBob]

Tried this with Harv:

137,976 ... 137,977 ... 137,978 ...

 

[Boogie]

They are reading the PeeMails, of course.

I noticed this morning that Ted and Tatze tend to get rooted to the same spots.

 

[Stacia]

They are reading the PeeMails, of course.

I noticed this morning that Ted and Tatze tend to get rooted to the same spots.

I love it when I am out walking with Rourke and a friend with her dog, and both dogs find a smell together