Why we do not recommend taking your dog on "Sniffari" walks!

With a quick search online, you'll find many trainers and veterinarians who recommend Sniffaris for various reasons. There are numerous articles outlining the benefits of Sniffaris, yet very few mention even one potential drawback of Sniffaris. But no method is perfect for every dog, and Sniffaris can actually do more harm than good.

What is a Sniffari walk?

A Sniffari is a walk where the dog leads the way, sniffing as much or as little as they please. They choose where to go, when to go there, and how long to stay there. You as the handler simply hold the leash and ensure your dog doesn't get into anything dangerous. Many trainers recommend you use a long line or retractable leash, and that your dog wears a harness for maximum comfort during Sniffaris. You are not training or exercising your dog during the walk: ideally, your dog ignores you and sniffs to their heart's content.

Why are they popular?

The idea behind Sniffaris is that they allow dogs to experience the world through their olfactory senses, free from strict control. Sniffing reduces stress in dogs, and the mental stimulation of a Sniffari may tire out energetic dogs. In certain contexts, Sniffaris are used to lessen reactivity.

That all sounds really good. Obviously we want our dogs to enjoy the world, be less stressed and receive adequate mental stimulation. But is a Sniffari really the best way to accomplish that? Is it good for all dogs, or even most? Let's look at the facts.

Potential Problems with Sniffaris

To start with, the unstructured nature of Sniffaris promotes impulsivity. This is especially detrimental for dogs that don't have a solid foundation in obedience (including around distractions), dogs who are prone to reactivity or have other behavioral issues. These dogs lack impulse control: when they are allowed to practice impulsive behaviors, they will carry those behaviors into other areas of their life as well - not just the Sniffari.

Sniffaris also allow fixation, which can lead to reactivity. During a Sniffari, the dog is fixating on the environment for as long as they'd like. This naturally makes them less neutral to the environment, and over time this can make them more difficult to take places as they will be more inclined to fixate on any and all distractions. Going for a walk is often among a dog's favorite activities, which makes it a perfect time to build your relationship together. It's much harder to achieve this if your dog is engaging with everything except you during the entire walk.

For male dogs, Sniffaris may promote excessive marking. While excessive marking is unpleasant in and of itself, it can also cause anxiety in some male dogs as they become obsessed with marking and anxious about whether or not they've marked certain places.

Finally, Sniffaris promote bad leash walking skills. There is a difference between letting your dog go anywhere and pull whenever they want, versus heeling nicely until you release them to go sniff an area they'd like to explore. In one case, your dog has no guidance and is essentially on their own; in their mind, you may as well not exist. In the other case, your dog is enjoying the world with you, building a relationship with you and still very much using their olfactory senses to explore. They have purpose and guidance - both which help dogs feel less anxious - and still get to enjoy the world when appropriate.

If you let your dog immediately engage in their environment as soon as you walk out the door every day, then don't be frustrated with your dog if they behave that way in public or in other distracting environments.

A note on Reactivity and Sniffaris

Earlier we mentioned that Sniffaris are sometimes used to reduce reactivity. This is done by taking the reactive dog on a Sniffari with the source of reactivity (the trigger) in sight, but far away. The idea is that the reactive dog will engage in the nearby environment through sniffing instead of practicing reactivity. Sniffing generally helps calm dogs, so they are learning how to be calm in the presence of a trigger. The goal is that slowly the dog can move closer and closer to the trigger without becoming reactive.

However, this method often takes months or years to achieve the desired results. Your dog might learn to ignore the trigger to some degree, but the Sniffaris may actually contribute or prolong your dog's reactivity. Your dog is still learning to pull towards distractions, which increases arousal and frustration- a leading cause of reactivity. Instead of learning to be neutral, your dog is continuing to practice fixating on things (which is how they become reactive in the first place), and if you misread your dog's body language you may put them in potentially hazardous situations.

Structured Walks- All the benefits, without the drawbacks

We recommend you always structure your walks, but also allow some time for your dog to "be a dog" on your cue. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, at least 10,000 times better than ours. They can smell things as you walk! But you can also cue sniff breaks while on a structured walk. During a structured walk, you can give as many sniff breaks as you want!

What matters is that your walks always involve both of you. You and your dog should be a "pack" exploring the world together! When it's time to move, you move together. When it's time for a sniff break, you take that break together. Structured walks can serve as a wonderful way to build your relationship with your dog, not your dog's relationship with the environment. They're also an excellent training opportunity: they allow you to be your dog's coach, helping them know how to conduct themselves when out in public and around distractions. With structured walks you are teaching your dog how to be neutral to their surroundings, unless cued to engage with a certain distraction. The guidance you provide today can help your dog be calm and prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

There are so many wonderful opportunities to be had during structured walks. The opportunities to enjoy the world, build your relationship and get a little training in are practically endless. With a little preparation you can get all the benefits of a Sniffari without the drawbacks, which is why we highly recommend giving structured walks a try!