Yes, Susan Garrett's Dogs Sniff On Walks #74

If you are like most people, you take your dog for a walk for exercise or for a potty break. Surprisingly, one of the questions I get asked frequently is when and how I walk my dogs. There are five main reasons I walk my dogs, and the walking is always intentional. Those reasons are for elimination (toilet breaks), relationship building, to give my dogs a chance to sniff (read the pee mail), exercise, and sometimes to socialize.
In the episode you'll hear:
• The types of walks I take with my dogs.
• How I walk my dogs, and when I choose off-leash or on a leash.
• About Tater’s LOVE of people and what that means when walking him.
• The reasons I am cautious and intentional when walking in new places.
• Why I am always on alert when walking my dogs on leash in a city.
• What I do to keep my dogs safe when walking in new places.
• When and why I use a head halter, a harness or a flat collar.
• About how I start when walking the dogs at home.
• The games I play on walks with my puppy for relationship building.
• About letting dogs scent on walks and sniffing to read the pee mail.
• What I do when my dogs don’t come when called.
• How Tater, Momentum and This! love to use their noses.
• What I do to be intentional about my dogs sniffing on walks.
Resources:
Podcast Episode 48: Potty Train Your Puppy in a Week (Easy 3 Step Process) - • Potty Train Your Puppy...
KZbin Video: Susan Garrett’s Perch Work Dog Tricks (Pivots and Spins) - • Susan Garrett’s Perch ...
Podcast Episode 40: Using a Head Halter on a Dog, Why My Approach is so Different - • Using A Head Halter On...
Podcast Episode 16: The Thing Before Your Dog’s Thing
- • The Thing Before Your ...
Podcast Episode 11: The Power of Permission in Dog Training
- • The Power of Permissio...
Recallers -
recallers.com/
Podcast Episode 73: Why Your Dog Is Still Pulling on Leash and How To Fix It - • Why Your Dog Is Still ...
Podcast Episode 53: Stop Your Dog Pulling on Leash and Start Walking Together - • Stop Your Dog Pulling ...
Podcast Episode 29: Understanding and Preventing Reactivity and Aggression in Your Dog - • Understanding and Prev...
P.S. Subscribe to our KZbin Channel so you get notifications of new videos!
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Dogs That is brought to you by Susan Garrett and the Say Yes Dog Training Team.
Susan Garrett’s interest in animal behaviour started at the University of Guelph where she earned a Bachelor of Science majoring in Animal Science. Since then she has developed into a preeminent dog trainer and canine sports instructor and competitor. Susan is one of the most successful agility competitors of the last three decades. She has won multiple Gold Medals at National or World Championship events with every dog she has ever owned over the past 30 years.
A natural teacher and an entertaining speaker, Susan is world renowned as a leading educator of dog trainers. Her understanding of how to apply science-based learning principles to both competitive and family pet dog training has been pivotal in changing how dogs are trained.
Susan is now helping many thousands of dog owners in 132 countries have the best relationship possible with their dogs. The real joy for her comes from bringing confidence to dogs and their owner through playful interactions and relationship building games that are grounded firmly in the science of how animals learn.
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[@paulat5409]

"...there would be bears..." so casual

[@adrianadelia6957]

I wonder how you would tailor leash walks for those of us who live in very urban environments. I feel like I am navigating a land mine as my neighborhood is full of dogs and I have a problem where my dog wants to sniff ALL the time. I don’t know how to cue sniffing behavior?

[@makb5354]

That is funny to hear about walking on both sides. Few years back, when I first adopted my dog and put her through two different training s, I asked each trainer: is there a reason we have to always have dog in heel position on a left, I am not understanding the logic of it? I would like to be able to teach my dog to switch the sides if needed. I was told by first one that dog should heal on my left- no explanation was given. My 2 nd trainer had training partner who was not my dog's primary trainer and she told me that I can teach my dog to also walk on other side if I so choose, just pick different command which is exactly what I did. Later on, while working with primary trainer he saw me giving my dog command " other side" as we walked past group of loose and leashed dogs, pulling towards us. He got unhappy and asked why I did that. I explained that I don't know these dogs nor their temperament and don't want my dog to get either bitten or get strange dogs in her face while I am trying to provide safe environment and train her and also I want ability to have her on side of my choice if there are bikers going by on single narrow track or we are walking near busy road. 😖, he didn't like my answer and said that my dog should act neutral. My response was: so if biker looses balance or car passes too close to us or the dog happens to be aggressive and grabs my dogs face, my dog should just neutrally allow them to hurt her? This makes zero sense, I ain't changing to just one side, period. From this point, my dog now automatically switches sides when she sees anything or anyone approaching on narrow trail and now I keep hearing that this was right from the start. Thank you. I feel vindicated lol.

[@LuisGuendulain]

This is soooo true, my dogs gets so excited when I'm about to give him the "sniff" command, awesome video!!!

[@wendystewart1940]

I try to use our daily walks as an educational experience, and, because I live in the city, she needs to be on leash most of the time. At the park, I get her to walk under the picnic table bench ("under") or hop up on the picnic table (in the winter, when not in use) ("up"). I also use the "up" command to jump on fallen trees. She has to "jump" when we have to climb over a fallen tree across our path. I teach her to "place her face" next to my leg with the command "touch" and also "heel" for walking close to me. She gets to sniff but only if there's no dogs or people around on the trails or sidewalks by allowing the leash to be looser (the full 6') and have it shortened when walking next to the road or a narrow trail. Its very hard to find off-leash areas that I won't get fined for trespassing or allowing her off-leash. You are so fortunate to be where your pups can run free!

[@AnnainAwe]

We behave similarly and turn our environment into an impromptu obstacle course ❣️

[@katsim6799]

Hey Wendy, cool tips. I use a long line in the park, or bring them to a fenced area like tennis courts to practice off leash games.

[@dortenielsen8253]

Thank you 🙏 Me and my favourite dog’s life in a nutshell. Every day has its sniffaries - and he has the most balanced mindset you can imagine ♥️

[@BeliefInLeif]

Could you please talk more about when you would decide to use a harness and why? Like what the benefits of harness vs collar? Also harness recommendations!

[@susantaylor2401]

I have a dog like Tater Salad!! She's an Airedale and LOVES everyone!!!!

[@starlightcraftsGB]

I enjoy your videos very much Susan and I am new to them. I have a year old terrier who loves to roll in s..t. Have you any advice for us on that one? I let him sniff as much as possible but so far he is always on the leash because we live in an urban environment at the edge of a large town (in England) and there are too many dogs, too many people and too many cars to allow him to have any freedom yet. He is not neutered (yet) and he is very wilful. We are currently working on his pivots and spins :)

[@azogal53]

Some great tips here. I have one of those avid sniffer dogs 🥰. I like the idea of calling my dog off a sniff, rewarding with that sniff and if she doesn't recall, then trying it with another less exciting sniff. Good to know what to do when things don't work out " perfectly. " Thanks so much, this is the kind of information you don't get anywhere else except Dogs That. Another five cookie review 🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪

[@shellycavallaro5174]

I am so happy to hear this! I have 2 terriers that would LOVE to have sniff time and I want them to, but thought I couldn't. No one said that specifically to me, I just always thought I needed to have my dogs next to me based on other training and things I have seen. My dogs are going to be SO happy tomorrow lol.

[@egbun]

One of the last sentences was the most important but the most baffling: "They don’t have to stay in reinforcement zone when out on a walk sniffing, but never let them pull on the leash." If they do pull (which my Aussies always do) what should I do other than bring them back to reinforcement zone?

[@selimekizoglu8542]

I have the same problem. My dog will even pull with the harness when he's given the green light to sniff.

[@egbun]

@@selimekizoglu8542 so far I am using the "Be A Tree" method to reduce pulling. It seems to work if I am consistent at it.

[@ctremblay4423]

Awesome! Thank you Susan.

[@hope1922]

Followup question. I've watched the videos on how to teach loose leash walking and my dog is pretty good when it comes to walking with me. He also has a "go sniff" cue which he knows (and loves). However, when I give the go sniff cue and if he finds a good scent he is pulling for his life! Is there a way to stop pulling while on sniff breaks? My trainer at my local club we go for group classes suggested when he pulls I just stop, take a few steps back by applying some pressure on the leash (no prongs or anything like that), and then start walking again, repeat until the dog stops pulling. While this works, it is teaching through punishment and I wonder if there is a better way. Thank you!

[@selimekizoglu8542]

I have the same problem and was looking through the comments to see if anyone else asked and got an answer.

[@amrice62]

Hi- foster mom here of 9 y/o female shep with great nose. Not socialized, not obedience trained. Two months in my home. Shuts me out when she's stressed. Her happy time is walk. I take 4-5 per day as I have her bonded mate who is 14 and needs shorter walks Total 1.2-1.5 mi/day I don't know where to focus first - she has improved eye contact, comes to me for affection then dodges- and is now taking food from my hand- progress The walks are becoming harder as she's becoming acclimated to being at this place. She gets a scent and tracks it and that I have to stop her on as I can't allow the lunging pulling I do let her sniff and explore so long as she isn't pulling and I give her plenty of opportunities along the way I can't get through to her yet to get her full attention so I have to really be using the leash to cue her- short tugs until she responds. Obedience Walking Confidence building Relationship development Trust building She's reactive so we are going to start obedience class privately- offered by the rescue . The 14 yr old is limited by arthritis and much different temperament and he helps I think calm her down I hear so many great ideas but with a limited attention time from her where should I focus first?

[@jpahearn1]

I have a demand sniffer (75 lb lab). I try to allow him to enjoy the smells on our leashed walks through the neighborhood, but he really bulldozes when he catches the scent. In addition to your suggestion of recalling off the smell, can you recommend any specific tracking or scenting work? Putting him to work in this area might be helpful. Thanks!!

[@allisontraynor2870]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@katsim6799]

Hahaha! Love this! We use "peepee on demand."

[@frankchen3532]

Glad that your dogs have success with recall using your Recallers program though it sounds as though Tater isn't so successful. Kinda like my dog - Recallers has been a total failure for him. I'll never give up on him and as there are many different techniques, I am relieved that I have made some progress using other programs, though I truly wish it had been with Recallers that had been the one to make a difference.

[@user-tk9vf3cf8d]

What a great podcast! How do you train them not to pull when they’re not in reinforcement zone?!? I want to be able to walk my dog on leash without him having to be in reinforcement zone but I’m scared of him rehearsing pulling? Could you please make a video of an entire walk? It wasn’t clear from the podcast.

[@DogsThat]

Hi @user-tk9vf3cf8d we have a playlist for Loose Leash Walking to help with the foundations - kzbin.info/aero/PLphRRSxcMHy1mGMfdVKXq_hiJ27Ej1shW&si=yiMZdtT9ke-BjxS_

[@katsim6799]

So question: Do you think pre-competition, less physical and more attention engaging mental activities makes for better performance anyway? We do lots of attention and focus work even before class for rally.

[@user-sd6ej9cp9d]

Why is my dog sniffing on walks

[@AnnainAwe]

I love this video. As much as I was nodding my head saying to myself "yes, we've got this one down". I also found myself picking up little gems that I want to implement into our already great outing routine.

[@Emma-fe6yt]

Do you allow them to mark when they sniff? My 6 month old male has gotten in to the habit of marking after he is done sniffing, and I believe this has led to a few marking accidents in the office. I started to only allow him 2 marks/pees and will recall him to continue walking after that, but I'm not what the best way to go about this is

[@RaptorsGirl]

Yep great plan. With a young male I'll start call him out of the sniffing so he doesn't feel the need to mark all of the time. The truth is males are going to mark, I'm not trying to stop that, just deter him from doing it every time he sniffs.

[@Emma-fe6yt]

@@RaptorsGirl Yeah, totally makes sense! Thank you for the feedback :)

[@KingdomPuppettes]

Thanks for the info. My 12 week puppy "snacks" on stones or twigs on every walk. I have tried to counter condition her by asking for a sit then reward but she is so fast she has picked up a stone almost by the time I have stood back up! Her other thing is biting my pant legs and again asking for another command is not working! What should I do? Your Dogs That are terrific and greatly appreciated! Many thanks! Have fun! :)

[@DE-ss5ks]

Her Recallers course is fabulous and helps with any issues you might have with your dog. All her intentional games make a better and happier dog and owner. Susan's podcast #18 should help you. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fp6uhqltpbaMh7c

[@AnnainAwe]

I don't know what Susan would say to this suggestion but for safety in the short term, while you're working on the long-term solution training, how about muzzle training your pup? It's my understanding that swallowing rocks and sticks can be a health hazard to ones dog.

[@KingdomPuppettes]

@@AnnainAwe Thanks for your reply. I think the muzzle is the best solution- I hope she grows out of this! Have fun! :)

[@pinkydiengdoh7040]

How can I make my dog from over sniffing while on walks?

[@janethodkinson6578]

I have 2 spaniels - mum and daughter. We do lots of sniffing walls and also do obedience classes. My older girl has got as far as platinum and walks to heel really good both off lead and on lead. My younger dog - 16 months old - is not so good. No pulling but continually walking with her nose glued to the ground. So for obedience classes she needs to be focused on me and not the floor. I am having real problems with this. Do you have any tips? I am thinking of hiring her out to the airport as she is so focused on sniffing😂

[@DogsThat]

Hi Janet, not a bad idea 😊. We have a playlist with help for loose leash walking, here's the link for you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIKlpZd3pN2efMk&pp=gAQBiAQB

[@geneball211]

Do your dogs eat deer and rabbit poop?

[@judymiller5154]

I have a labrador - food hound who tastes everything!! I trained her to "trade" anything she has in her mouth for a treat, with happy praise, never scolding. (Later I added the drop-it command.)

[@michaelchalupa5506]

Could you assist me in teaching my lab mix to retrieve objects for my service dog training thank you

[@DogsThat]

Hi Michael, send a note to us at [e-mail] and we'll send you info on how you can access Susan's full retrieve training program.

[@elzaPriEe]

i love the video yet i would have loved to hear what to do when my dog eats other dogs poop while she has the freedom to sniff. anyone has any tips?

[@JennyYasi]

You're not saying "party?"

[@karengordon9680]

nope "Potty" - not nearly as much fun

[@LiaGoldie]

But if you wanted to use "Party" as your toilet cue, that is fine! I just use "Toilet"

[@JennyYasi]

@@LiaGoldie I'm going with "party!"

[@katsim6799]

I say "lets go! Peepee on demand."

[@kajaandzulli5836]

Great talk but I really don’t get it that you can make your dog poop on cue. I as a human can’t poop on cue, the urge has to be there so are dogs different? Wee is a bit different as dogs do mark. I have tried and use “ Wee wee” and “Poo Poo” but fail with the poo bit. Especially hard on leash, Zulli will wee on lead but rarely poop. 95% of our walk are in bush land off lead, but we do a weekly on lead distraction training walk around a local lake, full of people, ducks and other dogs. We do bits of close work (watching) and bits of sniff work (loose). “Off you Go” is only for complete freedom off lead. Does that sound OK?

[@RaptorsGirl]

Guess what Karla, you could poop on cue if someone had built in a conditioned reinforcer for you to do so. Of course, my dogs can't poop if there is nothing there, but I understand their feeding and pooping schedule so it is easy to start putting it on a cue/trigger.

[@katsim6799]

Karla, I like your plan for distraction training. Being in the city its much harder. We used a college campus for this. We do get to pee or poop on demand, and if you leash train them about WHERE they are allowed to go, they will walk to their spot to go. It helps when you have to pick up after them to not search the whole yard.

[@kjbabu]

First

[@Nea-van-R.]

Are there really people who don't let their dogs sniff around? I get it if you're in a certain area, or you have to hurry because X, or if you're out for training. But a walk walk? Isn't that the reason one takes a dog for a walk? What else should they do? If they would walk right by my side all the time there would be no need for us to go outside.

[@frankchen3532]

With you 100%

[@katsim6799]

Eh. Pee mail is interesting but quite over rated in terms of physical activity. My dog gets completely overwhelmed with pee mail in the park lately, so there are alotments of time as rewarded for movement thru the park so we can actually exercise. She has turned into a walking nose.

[@pbk9]

useless, she did not address anything there.... for example we live in the city, many dogs around, he would do nothing else but sniff and mark for hours, not even taking food. I do not have any environment less intense available, except home where he is perfect. I can make him go but he cannot focus at anything else but his will to go mark and sniff. Many bitches in heat, dogs, other animals around.

[@BeliefInLeif]

She has a lot more in depth information in other podcasts and in her course Recallers! It has taken a few months, but my pup can now pretty easily walk in the city, before he was a crazy puller! I COULD NOT do it without a gentle leader!❤