Ask Opal
Why does my dog stop to sniff everything?
Dear Opal,
As much as I try, I just can’t seem to get my 10,000 steps in when I’m walking my dog. All she wants to do is stop and sniff! She stops at trees, mailboxes, light posts—she stops everywhere! How can I get her to stop sniffing so I can get my workout in? Signed, A Frustrated Walker
Opal’s Answer
Dear Frustrated,
Did you know that a dog’s nose can be up to 100,000 times more sensitive than a human’s? In fact, about 33% of a dog’s brain is dedicated to analyzing scents, compared to just 5% in humans.
For dogs, sniffing is life! They interpret their world through their sense of smell. Dogs can not only identify specific people or animals by scent, but they can also tell how long ago someone passed by. Think of sniffing as a dog’s social media—it’s how they check the news and make sense of their world!
As a Chihuahua who lives for a good sniffy walk, I’d kindly suggest letting your pup sniff to her heart’s content. Then, you can get your workout steps in on your own while she relaxes at home with a nice chew toy. You’ll both be much happier for it!
Love,
Opal
