Your dog has stopped at the same patch of grass again. You have barely left the block, and the walk is starting to feel like standing around with a leash.
Usually, it is worth letting them investigate. Dogs use scent to explore their surroundings; a walk can give them something interesting to do without covering much ground. That does not mean stopping at every smell, letting them eat things from the sidewalk, or abandoning the rest of the walk.
Make room for sniffing without handing over every decision
The American Kennel Club’s guide to sniffing explains why exploring smells is a worthwhile part of a dog’s day. A quiet verge can offer your dog something you cannot see. You do not have to make each outing a scent-training session to give them that opportunity.
Try choosing one safe part of your usual route where you are happy to wait. Let your dog pick a direction within reach of a loose leash. Stay with them rather than looking at your phone: you still need to notice what they are investigating and who is approaching.
On a narrow sidewalk or near a crossing, keep moving together. Once you reach a wider, quieter spot, you can pause again. You decide where it is safe; your dog gets some choice within that space.
A simple way to try it on your next walk
Keep the outing within the time your dog already handles comfortably. Change the pace, not everything at once.
- Before you leave: choose a familiar route with a patch of grass or other safe space away from traffic.
- At the first suitable spot: slow down and give your dog room to investigate without pulling the leash tight.
- Between stops: walk normally. There is no need to turn the entire trip into one long pause.
- On the way home: leave enough time for a calm return instead of rushing because you used up the whole break outside.
For example, if you have a 20-minute lunch break, choose a smaller loop with a few stops rather than attempting the usual longer route and hurrying your dog along. This is a scheduling example, not a recommended walk length for every dog.
How do you get moving again?
Pick a simple cue, such as “let’s go.” Practice somewhere easy: say it, invite your dog to come with you, and reward them when they do. You can also use a different cue, such as “go sniff,” when you reach a place where stopping is fine.
Keep expectations modest while your dog learns. Repeating a cue louder or dragging them away does not explain what you want. The RSPCA’s loose-leash training guide describes rewarding walking near you and practicing in short sessions before adding distractions.
If you regularly end up in a tug-of-war, try a quieter route and work on the transition separately from a rushed morning walk. A qualified reward-based trainer can help if you are struggling to move safely together.
Some smells are better left alone
A sniff break is not permission to swallow whatever is on the ground. Move away from discarded food, feces, sharp litter, unknown substances, and areas marked as recently treated with chemicals. Keep your dog out of other people’s gardens and give wildlife space.
Use a leash where required. More freedom does not have to mean going off-leash: on a quiet, open route, suitable equipment can give your dog room while keeping them attached to you. A long line is not a good fit for a busy sidewalk, a bike path, or anywhere it could trip someone.
If your dog looks worried, keeps watching another dog, or is trying to leave, do not make them stay at a “good sniffing spot.” Move somewhere they can handle more comfortably. Sniffing is an option, not a task they must complete.
Does sniffing replace exercise?
It changes the kind of outing. It does not give you a reliable exchange rate between sniffing minutes and walking miles. Avoid using claims like “ten minutes of sniffing equals an hour of exercise” to set your dog’s routine.
Keep opportunities for comfortable movement as well as exploration, rest, and play. For a dog with health or mobility restrictions, ask your vet how these should fit together. Our guide to choosing a walk length can help you think through the everyday decisions without imposing a fixed target.
For the next few outings, note whether the slower route was easier to manage and whether your dog settled in their usual way afterward. A short walk note such as “small loop, lots of sniff stops, relaxed coming home” tells you more than distance alone. If the arrangement works for both of you, keep it. You do not need to keep making the walk longer to make it worthwhile.