Sniffing only or Walking with you. What is best?

The Structured Walk allows both.

Sniffing walks can be fun, as long as your dog is not pulling you.  The best option is combining both structured walks with sniffing opportunities.

Dogs experience 60% of the world through their noses. Sniffing allows them to gather information, explore their environment, and engage in a natural behaviour.

Allowing sniffing doesn’t mean allowing the dog to dictate the entire walk.

Here’s how I do it: I choose several sniffing spots along the route. At each spot, I stop, wait for eye contact, then give the dog their release cue to explore and toilet.

Between these spots, the dog walks with me, follows direction, and learns to pay attention. Calm, attentive walking earns opportunities to explore.

This way, the dog gets to sniff without having to pull, drag, or constantly direct the walk.

Sniffing and structure aren’t opposites. Dogs don’t need to sniff every inch of the walk, nor do they need to heel every second.

The goal is a structured walk with moments of freedom.

As the handler, it’s our responsibility to guide the walk, decide where exploration happens, and communicate when it’s time to move on.

Leadership isn’t about removing a dog’s freedom. It’s about providing clear boundaries while allowing them to enjoy the world around them.