Let them Sniff

THE SNIFFER

I thought I was a too lenient dog parent on the walk. I had read that sniffing is a reward and should not be given too often. The pet walker must be in control... so the yanking from the trees, the poles, the hydrants was a constant. A struggle. For 10 years.
In addition, Liam often directed which route we would walk. And I would attempt to change it to the way I wanted to go. He is exceptionally strong and willful. My arms often felt as if they would pop out of my shoulder sockets...at times I was all twisted up in the leash.
And then a few weeks ago my dog walking life changed as a result of an article posted on FB by a friend.
Sniffing on the dog walk is to be not only tolerated but welcomed.
SNIFFING IS GOOD
Here is the link
https://iheartdogs.com/why-its-important-to-let-your-dog-sniff-during-walks/


An excerpt
Bolded

A long walk or run seems like the only way to deplete a young dog’s abundance of energy, but physical exercise isn’t the only way to satisfy their needs. If you really want to tire out your dog, you need to enrich both their body and mind at the same time. 

LIAM TREE SNIFFING

Sniffing a particular scent and then interpreting the accompanying information is the canine version of a mental work out. They won’t be running miles or building up muscles, but being mentally engaged is equally important.
Continental Kennel Club says,

“The effort it takes to sort and identify individual elements of an odor requires a lot of work. It’s a little like us trying to solve a tough logic problem—the required mental energy is tiring.”

Getting your dog to exercise their brain will stave off cognitive decline once they reach old age and keep them from chewing up your shoes when they’re young and eager for entertainment. A walk where they’re allowed to sniff until they’re mentally content is the perfect opportunity to address both your dog’s physical and mental needs.

Since I have read this article we are doing the sniffing walk.  There is no pulling by Liam or yanking by me. Liam walks at a reasonable pace. When he turns I turn. I never know what walk he will do. Will he turn into the park? Up Corwin?
Skip Baxter and take Ashland home?  Makes it new for me too. A daily adventure.
When he stops to sniff I do steps in place for my Fitbit. I'm doing my body, he is doing his brain.

ANOTHER SNIFF

We have met new neighbors and new dogs.
Liam and I have bonded.
We are in sync.
An improvement in the quality of my life. Liam is calmer on the walk. I can see his brain working. I am letting him be a dog
As my mother always said
"Liam is his own person."
Liam will be 11 on August 1.
Perhaps, the sniffing walk will make him smarter and delay dementia. Maybe me too.

And an anecdote
When I was a child I suffered consecutive drippy long-lasting colds. I was often at the ENT clinic in NYC. The doctors nicknamed me Carol McSniff. I was not amused. My parents were. I had no defense since all the adults loved it.
I suffered sniffling and McSniffing.
I am now reconciled to the synchronicity in my young life with my old life
Liam is now Liam McSniff-Nikol.

ARE WE GOING OUT SNIFFING MOM?

Woof, Woof