Some dog owners get a bit annoyed at times, because their dog tends to smell everything around: every grass blade, every bush, every tree and every seemingly inconspicuous piece of land.
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🐶So, why do our dogs smell everything and should we allow them to?
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❗️Dogs cannot live without new experiences, their mental health directly depends on them.
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It is only with the help of new impressions that our dogs are able to stay active and happy.
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Animals experience the world using their sense organs, and nose is one of the most important sources of information for them – after all, a big part of a dog’s brain is responsible specifically for the sense of smell. There are even special methods of training based on “nose work” and aimed at psychological rehabilitation and intellectual development.
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Unfortunately, a lot of dog owners don’t let their dogs smell enough.
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As a result, a dog that doesn’t get a chance to satisfy its natural need starts pulling the leash in order to catch a moment to sniff at least something before the owner stops it.
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So, should you let your dog smell the world around?
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Here’s a definitive answer for you: yes, you absolutely should!
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Every now and then, stop and allow your pup to investigate the smells around. Take him to places where he can enjoy natural scents (a field or a forest).
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Let your dog run off the leash, if it’s possible and safe, or get a leash that is at least some 10 feet long, so that your pet has an opportunity to step away from you without pulling.
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▫️ What to do if your dog could spend hours and hours sniffing everything, but you don’t have time to stop next to every bush?
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It’s okay to not always have the time to stop and wait for your dog to sniff everything on the way.
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There is a solution. Teach your dog a “Let’s go” command!
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If your dog gets enough walks during the day and you give it enough chances to experience the world around, you will always be able to come to a consensus with your four-legged friend.
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So, when you say “Let’s go”, your pup will understand that it’s better to follow you now. There shouldn’t be any protest involved – after all, you provide your dog with everything it might ever need.
