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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIn this blog post, I\u2019ll describe what a sniffari is and why it\u2019s an important addition to your dog\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Is a Sniffari?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In a nutshell, a sniffari is a walk where your dog is permitted\u2013and encouraged\u2013to explore his environment with his nose. It\u2019s an on-lead exploration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The word comes from the combination of \u201csniffing\u201d and \u201csafari.\u201d It\u2019s also called a decompression or sniffy walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unlike a regular walk where the goal is exercise or to get somewhere we want him to go<\/em>, on a sniffari, a dog is allowed to lead the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You let your dog set the pace and the direction. He\u2019s encouraged to explore his environment. He decides what interests him. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He should be permitted to wander on-lead and roam at his own pace. There are usually many starts and pauses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By contrast, on a regular leash walk, a dog generally walks at a steady pace with a few starts and stops to sniff. And to potty of course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A sniffari can be an hour long or even 10 minutes if that\u2019s all the time that\u2019s available. But make sure that the length of the walk satisfies your dog\u2019s desire to explore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A few minutes wouldn\u2019t be enough. And too long can lead to disinterest. Each dog\u2019s an individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sniffaris as well as regular, paced walks benefit both your dog\u2019s need for physical and mental exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, a dog has 300 million olfactory receptors in his nose compared to our six million. His sense of smell is estimated to be 10,000 to 100,000 times better than ours. I often say dogs have a \u201cnose brain.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n But a sniffari has certain benefits not always found in regular walks, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just because a dog determines where to go in safe areas during a sniffari doesn\u2019t mean that he can wander aimlessly off-lead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, it\u2019s important for his safety that he be on-lead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I recommend transporting him on a regular six-foot lead<\/a> to the sniffing area. And putting him on a 10-foot lead for his exploration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A biothane lead<\/a> is weather-proof and great for sniffaris. There are also other weather-proof longlines<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I don\u2019t recommend flexi leashes as the handle is harder to maneuver and hold and many people and dogs have been injured on the cord that extends out from the plastic handle. Use a regular long line<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your dog can be on a collar that he can\u2019t slip out of such as a Martingale<\/a> or in a harness<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If he tends to pull or if he\u2019s a smaller dog, a harness is preferable so that he doesn\u2019t injure his throat or trachea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In fact, if you have a high-drive dog, I recommend exercising him prior to his sniffari so that he doesn\u2019t pull.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can take him for a regular walk first or play fetch<\/a> to take the edge off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people have found it beneficial to use one piece of equipment for a regular walk and another one for a sniffari so that the dog understands what\u2019s expected on his adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget poop bags<\/a> and holder<\/a> to clean up after your dog. And water and a dish, such as a collapsible one, should be part of your gear.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also bring non-perishable treats so that you can engage in some behaviors. You can have a treat pouch<\/a> ready to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When deciding where to go on your adventure, there are many options. It\u2019s important to consider the following factors when deciding the location:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The sky’s the limit where you can take your dog on a sniffari. Of course take into consideration the above factors. And the area you choose should allow dogs of course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The area shouldn\u2019t have grass or plants that are too high because those areas are likely to contain unsafe parasites and creatures (snakes, bugs, rats, etc.).<\/p>\n\n\n\n The following are possible venues for your adventure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Any calm place where dogs are permitted and there are fun, safe materials to sniff can work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I took my Lhasa apso<\/a> Linkin on sniffaris. He was a very scared abused rescue when I adopted him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sniffaris gave him confidence and made the world less scary to him. Using his nose, he concentrated on the smells not on other things that may have scared him otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As is true of any undertaking with your pup, things can go wrong. Because a snifarri is new to most dogs, they will be uncertain about what\u2019s allowed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So you might have to teach a \u201csniff\u201d cue to start the process. Of course, for many breeds such as some hounds and terriers, the first thing they want to do is sniff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But other dogs such as a Lhasa apso or border collie probably won\u2019t naturally start sniffing right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So you can teach a sniff cue. Have a few pieces of kibble and throw them down in the grass. Tell your pup to \u201csniff\u201d and praise when he does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Phase down to one piece of kibble and eventually none once he understands what \u201csniff\u201d means.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can even perform some obedience cues<\/a> during the sniffari. At the beginning of the sniffari, have your dog sit\/stay, then do a recall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Or a \u201cpuppy pushup\u201d–sit\/down\/sit. Release your dog by giving a \u201csniff\u201d cue. Then it\u2019s time for your dog to go on his sniffari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try to take your dog on at least a weekly sniffari for his well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But for times that you\u2019re not able to do so or if the weather prohibits the excursion, there are other options for your dog to use his nose. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can set up an indoor \u201cmini-sniffari\u201d hiding treats<\/a> throughout various rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Put a few under some pieces of furniture or wrapped in a towel placed on the floor. You just want him to use his nose and have fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I used to do this for my shih tzu Cuddles. She had so much fun sniffing around the room to discover the hidden treasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can also engage in a more formal way for your pup to use his nose: canine nosework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Like a sniffari, it helps with a dog\u2019s confidence and helps keep him mentally and physically fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You start out inside with a small cardboard box the size of a shoebox where you hide a favorite toy<\/a> with his and your scent. Or you can use a favorite treat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure that the dog isn\u2019t in the room so that he doesn\u2019t see where you\u2019re placing the desired object. <\/p>\n\n\n\n At first, have a few boxes, only one containing the treat or toy. Don\u2019t put the lid on the boxes in the beginning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the dog finds it, he gets a reward from the box. Do this a few times, then end the session. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After a few sessions over a few days, you can start to have the treat or toy in a closed box. Make a few holes in the lid of each box. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Place the object in the box and let your dog sniff around. When he sniffs the box with the treat, praise and reward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s important to reward him from the box <\/em>and let him eat it from there, not from your hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Just do a few short two-minute sessions in a row, then end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eventually, you can add more boxes with many empty ones with holes in the top and only one with the scented object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once he gets the idea in one room, spread them out to various rooms. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can even get more formal and join a club where formal nosework is taught. Your dog can learn to sniff out various scents that are placed in various areas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As your dog becomes proficient, he would be able to conduct indoor, outdoor, and even vehicle searches. Nosework is even a competitive sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes! Reactive dogs can benefit from a sniffari because it helps focus them on the scents rather than the other dogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And it builds confidence and helps tire a dog out mentally and physically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just be sure to go to an area where there are no loose dogs and where any dogs or people are at a distance that your dog isn\u2019t reactive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If possible, go to a very calm area where it\u2019s just the two of you to start so that he learns what a sniffari is about and can concentrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes! You can teach him a \u201csniff\u201d cue to let him know when it\u2019s alright to sniff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also work with his attention to you and loose leash walking and the heel cue as well as \u201cleave it\u201d so that he learns to keep his head up during a regular walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes! Dogs naturally use their nose. Teach a \u201csniff\u201d cue to let him know when it\u2019s acceptable to sniff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also, take him on different routes for his walk to keep him interested. And take him to different safe locations for his sniffari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also do some obedience cues on his regular walks to engage his mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many physical and mental benefits to taking your dog on a sniffari. He naturally uses his nose to make sense of the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your dog will be happier and less stressed. The bonding time will really benefit your relationship. And let\u2019s not forget, sniffaris are fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you taken your dog on a sniffari?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Please tell us about it in the comments section below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Related Articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nBenefits of a Sniffari<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Equipment for a Sniffari<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Factors To Consider for Your Sniffari<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Where Should You Go on Your Sniffari?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Potential Problems and Solutions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Other Activities for the Sniffari<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Other Types of Sniffaris<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
My dog\u2019s reactive<\/a> to other dogs. Can he still go on a sniffari? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I have a beagle and his nose is always on the ground. Would a sniffari be good for him?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
My dog gets bored on walks. Would a sniffari help?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"What](\"https:\/\/puppyintraining.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/what-is-a-sniffari-770x1155.jpg\")
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