If you’re out walking your dog and they keep pausing to sniff every corner, bush or lamppost, you might find yourself thinking, “Come on, move on!”

But here’s the thing: that’s exactly what they should be doing. Instead of thinking of these pauses as frustrating delays, let’s flip the script and see them for what they are, the highlight of their walk.

What’s going on when they sniff?

Dogs don’t experience the world like we do. To them, the nose is everything. According to canine behaviour experts, dogs have up to hundreds of millions of scent receptors (we humans have about six million)

And it’s not just quantity, their brains are wired to interpret smells in far richer detail.

So when your dog stops and sniffs:

They’re gathering information (Who was here? What happened? What’s in the environment?)
They’re decoding scent marks, exploring territory, picking up on maybe another dog’s presence, or changes in the environment.
In short, they are reading the world, their own way.

**Why it matters for their health & wellbeing**

It’s easy to think that a good walk is all about distance or speed. But research shows that allowing a dog time to sniff can have big benefits.

Mental stimulation: Sniffing is a brain workout. It engages them, makes them think. One article estimates that 15–20 minutes of sniffing can be equivalent to an hour’s walk in terms of enrichment.
Reduced stress & greater wellbeing: Sniff-walks (sometimes called “scent walks” help dogs release tension, reduce stress hormones and feel more relaxed.
Boosted mood: One study found dogs allowed to do nose-work (sniffing/searching) showed more optimistic behavioural bias compared to dogs forced into heel-work without sniffing.
Better behaviour overall: A calm, sniff-filled walk can mean fewer problem behaviours at home simply because you’ve offered more than just physical exercise—they’ve had mental engagement too.

So what should you do on your next walk?

Here’s how you can shift your mindset, and the leash, so your dog gets what they need and you both enjoy the walk more.

Loosen up the leash - Instead of expecting a brisk pace from start to finish, allow sections where your dog leads: gives them freedom to sniff, stop, explore.
Let them choose part of the route - You don’t always have to set the direction, speed or rhythm. Let them decide: “Oh, this looks interesting, I’ll check it.”
Aim for quality, not distance - A shorter walk with plenty of sniff-time can often be more satisfying than a long, fast walk with little exploration.
Use slower moments as enrichment - That corner bush? That lamppost? Let your dog have a good sniff. That’s them doing their job of exploring.
Be safe and considerate - Make sure the area is safe for your dog to roam on a loose leash; be mindful of other people and dogs; use a longer line if you’re in a semi-open area.

Why it matters especially for busy or energetic dogs

If you have a high-energy dog (or a dog who never seems “tired” after a walk) this approach can be a game-changer. Because mental stimulation burns energy too. That map-reading/cypher-decoding process of sniffing isn’t “resting time” for them, it’s active.

In other words, giving them that sniff-time may help them come home calmer, more satisfied, and less likely to behave reactively simply because their brain got a workout.

The takeaway:

So next time you’re on a walk and your dog stops at everything, resist the urge to pull them onward. Instead, shift from “let’s keep moving” to “let’s explore together”. You’re doing a good thing, you’re letting them be a dog.

If you have any issues with your dog (pulling, leash reactivity, not sniffing at all, or anything behavioural) please don’t hesitate to contact me down below!

Why Your Dog Stops to Sniff Every Bush (And Why That’s Actually a Great Thing!)